Day in the life of a Reading, PA mom??

[Sagran]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

No self respecting Mother with children spends anytime in the city of Reading. It is a pit! There is nothing but drug dealers and thugs.

That's simply not true. There are many self respecting mothers and good families in the city. Your comment is not only untrue, it's offensive.

[Sagran]

Originally Posted by hc7612

This is why I avoid Downtown Reading at all costs. But there is good to found around this area. We have lived here for 3 years and are now having to move. But it is not all bad. If you are given lemons....make lemonade. I am sure some will protest. But personally, if you can, avoid downtown Reading.

Heather

There is little to fear in the business areas of downtown Reading, even at night. There are a number of good restaurants, a performing arts theater, the sports arena downtown, the library which as a good children's program. Shopping downtown pretty much. If you aren't going into Reading to buy drugs, you're pretty safe.

[Sagran]

Originally Posted by killyforever

To clarify above comments, Reading as a city-a NO-NO. The rest of Berks County is a great place.

Actually, West Reading is pretty nice, so that's not entirely true. Stay out of the inner city and you'll be fine. Things to do: Reading Royals (hockey) and Reading Phillies (baseball), shows at the Sovereign Center (major music acts, ice shows, etc.) there are lots of nice playgrounds, Gymboree if your kids are young enough, Reading Public Museum, Reading Fair, Berks County has library branches everywhere with all sorts of family activities. It's a short trip to Philly or Lancaster for activities there. I have lived in two different townships and get all over Berks County in my travels and I can't think of a spot that isn't convenient to a grocery store (usually Giant). You've got Berkshire Mall, Broadcasting Square (Target, Babies R Us, Dicks, Barnes and Noble)and the VF outlets. Nice little shops all along Penn Avenue. There is every franchise of restaurant that you could think of and many, many great independent restaurants.

1. West Reading is not a part of Reading. It is the borough located across the river from Reading.
2. You can't stay out of the inner city and attend the Reading Royals games or any of the other shows at the Sovereign Center. The Sovereign Center is smack in the middle of town.

[PeeAye Native]

I saw the comment above about Cabela's (situated on Rt 61 and I-78 about 10 miles north of Reading). It's a distinction PA should not be proud of that this is the most visited tourist attraction in the entire state. At first I thought why would a mother want to take her kids there, but there are some very large and interesting fish tanks. There's also a lot of guns, camping, hunting, archery and camouflage gear. And lots of stuffed animals. You gotta know what you're getting into.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, about 20 minutes away from Cabela's would be entirely different, they have a don't shoot the raptors (or any other animals) philosophy, and many educational things that kids seem to like.

[DEENYCPA]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

No self respecting Mother with children spends anytime in the city of Reading. It is a pit! There is nothing but drug dealers and thugs.

I disagree..Not all Reading has all drug dealers and thugs. Thats like me saying all NY has drug dealers and thugs when only referring to Spanish Harlem(an example).

Come on let's open up our minds a little.. Give credit to where credit is due!!!

Dee

[jamie8226]

Hi guys,
I am a married mother of one 4yr old boy. My husband and I are looking to relocate from nyc. I have been researching for the last 48 hrs about reading, pa. its how i happened upon this page. NE way, im hoping you guys could shed some light for me clearly.
Im not interested in the spots to have fun. Im more interested in the public school system & the pta? hows business? everyday living for a middle class family? apartment/home rental average pricing? support groups for women? community? I want a place that feels like home in the house and outside. where people are friendly. NYC is a melting pot as far as ethnic background is concerned... I dont care too much about that, my son is used to seeing all colors but I need to know some Personal Experiences from real people and not the readingpa.gov website, lol. PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE IF I SHOULD MOVE HERE. My family is scattered all over the US so that doesnt factor into our decision making either. My husband is not convinced about this city and im on the fence...i could go one way or another.

Signed,
Confused HomeMaker Mom

O, n btw we r ready to leave within the next 6 months. Looking to rent an apartment or small house-2 bed 2 bath, atleast.
THANKS ;-)

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by loose cannon

No self respecting Mother with children spends anytime in the city of Reading. It is a pit! There is nothing but drug dealers and thugs.

Quite the contrary. My wife and I had our rehersal dinner at the historic Abraham Lincoln Hotel and many of our friends and relatives stayed there. We had a wonderful time and some of my relatives visited the Goggle Arts and another local musuem.

We also had lunch at the Ugly oyster a few months earlier while looking for a place to host our wedding. Reading isn't perfect and definitely has it's share of problems. However it's not the hole that people, especially some of the locals paint it to be.