Reading

Reading is a large market town and borough in the county of Berkshire. Located on the M4 motorway 40 miles west of London and within easy reach of both Oxford and Bristol, it has been described as having some of the best transport connections in England. The impending addition of the Elizabeth Line will further boost its appeal with London escapees lured by the scenery of the Chiltern Hills and North Wessex Downs that surround the town.

4.58
Average Location Score

Excellent

68%

Very Good

24%

Average

4%

Disappointing

3%

Very Poor

0%

Best places to live in Reading

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

Dee Park RG30

Reading town centre

The centre of Reading itself may a little too heavy on bland office blocks and chain cafes for many tastes, but things are changing. Crossrail has brought with it a major overhaul for the town and its dowdy image.

Upmarket stores, hotels and housing developments have sprung up to meet the demand of London commuters who see Reading as the perfect balance of distance and proximity to the big smoke. Now also a leading tech hub in its own right, Reading is also home to a large student population jostling for space in the town’s more central areas.

Family neighbourhoods in Reading

As you’d imagine, Reading and its environs offer families plenty of property options. The suburb of Caversham north of the town is highly sought after for its country feel and beautiful period homes. Just to the east of Reading, Earley is another popular area for families looking for good-sized homes with great local amenities.

A little further east, Woodley offers a relaxed family neighbourhood at a lower price point. Around 4 miles to the southeast of Reading, the village of Winnersh is another popular option close to Reading but offering plenty of rural charm. Norcot and Tilehurst lie to the west of the centre of Reading, and offer good value terraced and semi-detached housing on the doorstep of the North Wessex Downs AONB.

Kennet and Avon Canal

North Wessex Downs

A large Area of Natural Beauty sitting to the west of Reading, the North Wessex Downs spans the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. Visitors can explore historic villages and towns like Marlborough, with its beautiful market square and renowned school.
The Kennet and Avon canal runs though the Downs, offering miles of towpath walking trails and bike rides. Savernake Forest offers 4,500 acres of woodland that dates back over 1,000 years, while Highclere Castle will be instantly recognisable to fans as the location of the TV series Downton Abbey.

The Bronze-Age Uffington White Horse is another major visitor attraction. It is thought to be the oldest chalk hill figure in the UK, and is dated at over 3,000 years old. Dated to around 500 years later is the World heritage Site at Avebury – the remarkable stone circles that visitors can walk amongst, unlike those of nearby Stonehenge.

Transport in and around Reading

Reading station is one of the busiest rail interchanges in the UK. Services depart from reading for most parts of the country, including GWR services west to Bath, Bristol and the South West and eastwards into London Paddington. South West Trains run into London Waterloo and Basingstoke while Cross Country Trains run south towards Bournemouth and north up to the Midlands and beyond.

Once the Elizabeth Line is fully operational, services will run four times per hour directly into central London. Reading Buses operate extensive services around the town and out to many of the surrounding suburbs and villages. Newbury Buses, Arriva, First and Thames Travel also operate local bus services.

Reviews in Reading

Write a Review

Thriving Community Living: A Review of My Central Reading Development

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Living in central Reading near the train station has its perks! I appreciate the variety of shops, restaurants, and bars in the area, which offer plenty of options for entertainment and dining out. Forbury Gardens provides a nice green space for relaxation and walks. The proximity to the train station makes commuting convenient, although it can get crowded during rush hours. Living on my street is comfortable. Overall, it’s a decent neighborhood with its ups and downs, but I’m happy to call it home.

Please review your development:

Living in my development is a great experience! One of the highlights is our Friday socials, where neighbors come together for a friendly chat and unwind after a long week. The on-site gym is a fantastic amenity, making it easy to stay active and healthy without leaving the building. Plus, there are different classes offered, from yoga to boxfit, catering to various fitness preferences.

In terms of design, I appreciate the modern and stylish architecture of the building, which adds to the overall appeal of the neighborhood. The facilities are top-notch, with well-maintained communal areas and convenient amenities like a concierge service and secure parking. Building management is efficient and responsive, ensuring that any issues are promptly addressed.

Property management also does a commendable job in maintaining the value of the properties and ensuring a pleasant living experience for residents. Overall, my experience in this development has been highly positive, thanks to its thoughtful design, excellent facilities, and attentive management. It truly feels like a community where residents can live, work, and socialize comfortably.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I would’ve known about popworld before I moved in and chose my room.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Building management has been prompt and efficient in addressing any issues I’ve raised.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
Read all Read less

Was this review helpful?

Report

Report

Great amenities and beautiful structure

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Excellent are to live. Everything is nearby. Shopping, Groceries, Theatre , Parks, Rail and Bus connectivity.

Please review your development:

Great amenities and beautiful structure. Management is very friendly and helpful. Love the new courtyard in Ebb block. Every week has something exciting planned. Cultural, fitness, movie, food, neighbourhood heroes,art club , are few among the many categories of the events.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Nothing. Everythin was sorted out really well. We also have something called ” Get to know your apartment” where a staff member takes you through the entire house, explaining the usage of appliances and sharing tips. The best part is the resident app where we can book events like this as per our convenience.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Everything has been solved well and most importantly on time

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
Read all Read less

Was this review helpful?

Report

Report

Aesthetic and comfort

Review Date Mar 2024

The location is absolutely right. Close to the train station, bus stops and taxis makes it easy to commute or transport anywhere you need around Reading or Berkshire. Local shops are also nearby and all around the property’s location. Restaurants and bars from 1 minute walk to maximum 15 min. Sainsbury’s is literally next to one of the property’s entrance.

Please review your development:

The facilities are well designed with minimal aesthetics. Clean and wide spaces. Many spots to sit down and relax, work, have a coffee with a friend. The management team is friendly and very supportive. They have answered all my queries. Super satisfied with what those facilities offer to residents.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I found out that I can attend free pilate and yoga classes. That was unexpectedly good.
Tips about the apartment could be recommended where to buy furniture and give out discounts from those places.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They have helped me with any questions I had for electricity and water providers to parcel questions to appliances and more.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
Read all Read less

Was this review helpful?

Report

Report

All shops and restaurants are local and travel is easy and convenient

Review Date Mar 2024

All shops and restaurants are local and travel is easy and convenient as Ebb n flow is close to the train station.

Please review your development:

This apartment has a modern design and the color design in the kitchen gives the whole apartment a brighter affect. There are smart appliances all throughout giving the whole space a modern feel. The open space in my kitchen and living space makes the whole apartment appear much bigger.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Before I moved in I was informed about my apartment

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

I have not raised any complaints as I have none at this moment.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
Read all Read less

Was this review helpful?

Report

Report

Discover surrounding areas