Wyomissing, Pennsylvania (Reading, Lancaster, Harrisburg: crime, how much, house)

[pugmania]

Thinking of moving to Wyomissing and would like as much info as possible. How harsh are the winters. How much snow and how long does it last. How is job market. I'm 57 and a retired elementary teacher and social worker. Just want to enjoy our golden years in a beautiful place. Best places for grocery shopping, number of amish families nearby to purchase fresh produce from etc. I'm extremely interested in the amish and would like to live close by. Thanks

[toobusytoday]

This site is great for historical weather info: Weather History & Data Archive | Weather Underground When you ask about the job market, do you mean for yourself, or just thinking about the general feel due to high/low employment?

Good luck on your move. This is a good place for some research. If you do a search on Wyomssing, you'll get more information.

[KevinE]

Reading city has a massive hispanic population and that has spilled over into West Reading and Wyommising. You will certainly hear more Spanish spoken than Pennsylvania German... this includes the local farmer and flea markets.

I would consider Lititz, Kutztown or Oley.

[pugmania]

Wow thats good to know. Thanks so much. Looking for a quiet retirement community. But lots of amish farmers markets, healthy living, crafts, fishing, etc.

[pugmania]

So who sees Kate Gosselin around Wyomissing. Is she a happier person these days. I like her organization. I like the smaller community atmosphere. What are pros and cons of living in this town. (from someone who lives there) Thanks

[loose cannon]

I have heard personal reports of Kate Gosselin being spotted in Wyomissing. I myself and not impressed by this woman. If I saw her I would not only ignore her, but probably growl at her as well.

[Jeanie Beanie]

To the OP - There ARE still Amish Farmers with Market Stands around Wyomissing. This one opened 2 or 3 years ago and absolutely has Amish and Mennonite farmers. PA Dutch Farmers Market of Wyomissing | Locally Grown | Organic | Berks County

[Icy Tea]

There's a nice 55 and older retirement village being built in Oley although you could find some places around. Wernersville has one, there's one in Mohnton, one in Sinking Spring, and in Amity.
Think of Reading as a donut hole. Not much there to want to live there but the areas around it on all sides have much going for them. Wyomissing is a nice area which can go from nice row homes all the way up to actual mansions. And crime in the city drops off dramatically at the cities edge.
Berks has some amish on its southwestern edge but also has many Mennonites west and east around Kutztown/ Fleetwood/ Topton. Pa dutch culture is still strong county wide.
We see Kate Gosselin about as much as Kelly McGillis. If they are there, they stay low key or invisible. Taylor Swift only visits once in a while for what its worth. I'm still waiting to see Michael Constantine, my brother saw him in a book store.

[Jeanie Beanie]

I saw Michael Constantine 3 or 4 times. Very nice man. Katie... eh.

You asked about the bad winters. Well, it's all relative to what you're used to, of course, but I would say we get 4 seasons of 3 months each. Today is very pleasant with highs in the med 60's. I've gotten light frost on my windshield half the time in the morning when I leave for work over the past 4 weeks. Sometimes it is cloudy or rainy, rather windy and chilly, other times like today it is funny and lovely. The leaves have mostly dropped and the ones left are tending toward brown with the high color of autumn gone. I consider "winter" to be December, January and February. Sometimes you get 5 or 6 measurable snowfalls. Sometimes you get 10. Sometimes you get 3 or 4 but one is over a foot deep. Keeps it interesting. Dress in layers. Sometimes it gets below 0. Not a lot.

The month of March brings the crocuses and daffodils and you can start removing the layers of clothes you put on for the winter. April and May are lovely, but the weather is changeable. Keep a sweater and/or jacket handy (and a fold-up umbrella). June, July and August are hot and humid but rarely above 100. This year I think there were 4 or 5 days that were above 90. A nice mix of heat, thunderstorms, and dry and nice. September October & November are beautiful with a crisp edge to the nights with the lovely fall color.

That's the weather for a year in Wyomissing. Many people worry about getting special snow tires or all-wheel drive on their cars. Unless you're rural or on a steep hill you'll seldom find occasions to use them. Sure, there will be a snowstorm where you're slipping up a steep hill on 4 inches of new snow going: drat, drat, drat, I wish I had all wheel drive like that SUV that just passed me, but the next day the roads will be plowed and the day after they will be nearly dry, so it's your call about the tires and AWD as to whether you'd need them.

The western side of Berks County has a recreational treasure that is Blue Marsh Lake.
Blue Marsh Lake:Schuylkill River Heritage Area

You had asked about fishing: you'd have access to acres of fishing, boating and swimming. The Tulpehocken Creek is one of the best trout fishing streams in Pennsylvania, maybe the East Coast.

Any other questions?

[teachbeach]

I would probably consider Lititz, Manheim Boro, Elizabethtown, Hershey or Hempfield. Great farmers market on Tuesday (Roots) and lots of others throughout the week. Also Central Market (downtown Lancaster). All of these towns are north of Route 30 (tourism/outlet centers and malls) but still close enough in proximity to culture (Barnstormers baseball, Fulton Opera house for plays, American theatre, Sight and Sound, Hershey and Harrisburg for theaters and finer dining), museums (Landis Valley, Cloisters of Ephrata, Wheatland to name a few) and also close to restaurants, major stores, airport and train, hospitals and doctors.