A guide to living in 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.

Excellent

77.6%

Very Good

16.8%

Average

3.2%

Disappointing

1.8%

Very poor

0.5%

Best places to live in Reading

How is ranking calculated?

Viewing 1-5 out of 18

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

Ebb & Flow, RG1

By Native Communities

Award winner 2025

4.89

(180 reviews)

Ebb & Flow offers a collection of Studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in the heart of Reading. All apartments have spacious kitchens, enhanced floor to ceiling height, and bespoke furniture. As well as this, residents benefit from a 24hr support team, wellness classes and community events. Private social and co-working spaces are also included. A buzzing new neighbourhood right on your doorstep.

1st

Ranked 1st out of 15 in Reading

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Development image of Emporium House, RG1

Rental Only

Award Winner 2025

Emporium House, RG1

By Allsop Letting and Management

Award winner 2025

4.39

(19 reviews)

Previously known as Domain Apartments, Emporium House is a newly rebranded and professionally managed Build-to-Rent community in the heart of Reading, offering modern living across two distinct buildings: Emporium House West, and Emporium House East. The development comprises a total of 418 high-quality rental apartments, with a mix of stylish one, two, and three-bedroom homes, all available fully furnished to suit flexible lifestyles. Residents enjoy access to an impressive range of on-site amenities, including a fully equipped gym, private screening room, co-working spaces, resident lounges, a private dining room, and landscaped courtyards. Perfectly located, Emporium House is just a 7-minute walk from Reading Station and 10 minutes from Broad Street Shopping Centre, offering excellent connectivity and local convenience.

2nd

Ranked 2nd out of 15 in Reading

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L&Q at Huntley Wharf, RG1

By L&Q

4.83

(8 reviews)

L&Q at Huntley Wharf is a collection of riverside 1 and 2-bedroom Shared Ownership apartments and duplex apartments in the prospering town of Reading. The development will compliment the transformation of Reading as an urban hub, providing contemporary riverside apartments to this evolving town. Huntley Wharf will provide a new destination for central Reading featuring a central riverside square with proposed local amenities such as a café, restaurant, a local store, gym, nursery and landscaped open spaces along the river. The apartments will provide a desirable specification, making it the perfect space for modern day living.

3rd

Ranked 3rd out of 15 in Reading

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Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

By Leaf Living

4.68

(5 reviews)

Shinfield Meadows, a vibrant new community in Berkshire, is an ideal blend of rural charm and urban convenience, nestled between Wokingham and Reading. The neighbourhood features a primary school, care home, sports and recreation facilities, a supermarket, and generous open spaces.

4th

Ranked 4th out of 15 in Reading

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Parklands by CALA Homes, RG6

By CALA Homes

4.34

(16 reviews)

Located in Woodley, just three miles from Reading town centre, Parklands was developed by CALA Homes. Completed in 2018, this development comprises of 291 homes, as well as community facilities and a retail unit. As well as this, Parklands was developed on top of on the former Reading University Bulmershe Court Campus.

5th

Ranked 5th out of 15 in Reading

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Page 1 of 4

Featured developments in Reading

Latest Reviews in Reading

380 total reviews

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Viewing 1-5 out of 378

Romano (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Mar 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 4.00 out of 5.00.

Could be better

Romano (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Mar 2026

The house is badly designed, a lot of space is wasted or could be better used, also the house is advertised as smart house, in reality it's not. There are a lot of settling cracks that need intervention, just mentioning it in the tenancy agreement doesn't make it better and doesn't give you the assurance of a safe environment. For all these reasons I think the rent is too high. The day I settled in the house I discovered a leak on the roof, after one month there is still work to do to fix it.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area is in development, it's quite, very silent and safe. Connections are not the best in town (no train, poor bus connectivity), but, apart from that, it's nice living in the area, there are also some local shop and restaurants, and parking is available everywhere.

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

As said I discovered a leak on day one I moved in, management is still working on fixing it, probably the leak was there before I moved in why not fixing it before we moved in? Part of the smart tools of the house are not working or not properly set up, I asked property management to fix it, they replied that they will not supply or repair Yale equipment anymore. Well that is something you want to know before renting the house, especially if the equipment are not working.

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

As said the smart doorbell, thermostat, ecc ecc are not working or not available for setup. That is something I would have known before moving in.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Francesco (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

I am very satisfied with this brand new detached house

Francesco (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

It's a very quite and green area, with a few shops and no restaurants. The number 3 bus stop is at ten minutes walking distance

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

Building management responds quickly and fixes issues efficiently

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

One thing I wish I had known before moving in is just how heavy the traffic can get in the mornings heading towards Reading.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Carlo (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Amazing experience

Carlo (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

The building features a modern and elegant design, with great attention to detail and a style that fits well with the surrounding environment. The common areas are spacious, bright, and always well maintained, creating a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. The facilities are efficient and functional, including relaxing spaces and green areas that are well organized and easily accessible. Building management is professional, responsive, and quick to address any issues or requests. Property management also stands out for its transparency, clear communication, and strong focus on residents’ needs, ensuring a safe, organized, and comfortable living experience overall.

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The area offers a great range of local shops, supermarket all within easy walking distance. There are also several well-maintained green spaces and parks nearby, ideal for relaxing or outdoor exercise. Public transport links are reliable and easily accessible, with regular bus services connecting the area to the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods. bin collections are consistent and well organized. The neighbourhood feels safe and friendly, with minimal anti-social behaviour and a pleasant overall atmosphere.

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

The building management has always responded quickly and has resolved the issue.

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

There aren’t insights, all it had been clear. All perfect

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Fabio D. (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

A very quiet place to live with family

Fabio D. (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

The place is very quiet, but it could use a few more businesses and better bus connections to Reading. The 600 is convenient, but it runs every hour.

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

I had very few issues to resolve, but in any case they were quick and efficient. The support team works very well

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

I recommend this place to families who want to live a quiet life in a clean place with very nice houses

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

JC (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

This is rated 5.00 out of 5.00.

Satisfied customers

JC (Tenant)

Verified Resident

Leaf Living at Shinfield Meadows, RG2

Feb 2026

Please tell us about the good and bad aspects of living in your local area:

I can't think of any negative points of the location, next door to the meadows for lovely walks, great transport links driving and buses, brand new local lidl and good pubs. Location is ideal. Very quiet, no problems with anti-social behaviour at all and the parking is great. There is no noise here at all, very peaceful.

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

They have always been responsive and have contacted us in the time frame they said they would and have worked around our needs and schedules.

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

We love living here. Although the garden gets absolutely no sun and the drainage is awful. Except for that no negative points.

・・

Reviewer was offered an incentive for an honest review, regardless of rating

HomeViews

Page 1 of 76

These reviews are the subjective opinion of a HomeViews user and not of HomeViews

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