Planning on moving somewhere wonderful in the United Kingdom? The decision feels like an overflowing buffet at times since there are many incredible cities to choose from. But one particular shining jewel stands out: Reading.
Located in southeast England, Reading is a sizeable town that sits comfortably on the Thames and Kennet rivers in southern England.
A quick overview of the wonders Reading has to offer:
- Annual outdoor rock music events
- Delightful shops and riverside restaurants within the town centre
- A museum exhibiting the town’s rich Victorian history
- Stunning ruins of the 12th-century Reading Abbey
With its spirited atmosphere, lavish cultural options, and excellent transport options, Reading has carved itself a reputation for those looking to experience the best of British living. Before you can fully enjoy everything Reading has to offer, we suggest checking out our ultimate guide covering all the topics you need to know before moving there.
Transportation Options
Reading is well-connected by both road and rail alike. The M4 motorway runs through Reading, linking it to London, Bristol, and South Wales. Several major train operators, including Great Western Railway and South Western Railway, serve the city’s railway station. From Reading, you can easily reach London Paddington in just 25 minutes by train.
Reading’s award-winning buses travel all over the region, so travelling by bus is an excellent choice for those looking to avoid parking costs and decrease their carbon footprint. You can also cycle around since nowhere in Reading is more than a 30-minute cycle away from the city centre. And with plentiful cycle parking, this option makes for an ideal sustainable travel choice.
Since this town is on the M4 corridor, the UK’s international Heathrow is the local airport and is an easy 25-minute drive from Reading.
Culture and Entertainment
Interested in art? Reading has more culture than your breakfast yoghurt, offering an abundance of museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks to explore at your leisure. You can visit the Reading Museum and Art Gallery, which has a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. This area is home to the Museum of English Rural Life, which does an entertaining job of showcasing the history of farming and rural life in England.
For music lovers, Reading is known for its vibrant scenes and parties. The city hosts several yearly music festivals, including the renowned Reading Festival, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors worldwide. If you prefer a more theatrical atmosphere, you can catch a show at The Hexagon, a modern arena that hosts a wide range of productions, from comedy to drama.
Nightlife and Pubs
The Nightlife in Reading is dynamic and diverse but still easy enough to find as most venues are within easy walking distance in the town centre.
Get your boogie on in LolaLo or Gun Street Garden after you’ve had a delicious cocktail at High Spirits or Revolution. If live music is more your vibe, check out the latest local or touring bands at either The Oakford Social Club or Sub89. But if all you really want at the end of the day is a place to have a pint with a few mates in a relaxed but upbeat setting, then your best bet would be either Hope & Bear or The Wishing Well.
Education
Reading happens to house several highly respected educational institutions, including the University of Reading, which ranks in the top 200 universities in the world – how’s that for your CV? This institution offers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs across multiple subjects, including business, science, and humanities.
In addition to the university, Reading has many great options for schooling of all ages. Some of the best schools in the area include Kendrick School, Reading School, and Queen Anne’s School.
Housing and Property
One of the most significant considerations when relocating to a new city is finding the perfect place to live. In Reading, there are many housing options, from delightful apartments to extensive large-family homes. The cost of living in Reading is slightly higher than the UK average, but it still boasts being far more affordable than London!
If you are looking for a house to rent, you can expect to pay around £1,200 per month for a two-bedroom apartment (approximately). If you want to buy a similar-sized property, the average house price in Reading is around £350,000.
Jobs
If you are still looking for employment opportunities in Reading, a great many job websites and recruitment agencies can help you find the right job. Some of the most popular job websites in the UK include Indeed, Reed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.
Reading has a robust and diverse economy, with a booming tech industry and many large corporations making this town their headquarters. The top employers in Reading include Microsoft, Oracle, and PwC. It also boasts an enormous retail sector, with many shops and restaurants in the town centre that should provide a decent share of work opportunities.
Healthcare
Reading delivers comprehensive healthcare services, including several NHS hospitals and clinics. The Royal Berkshire Hospital is the largest in the area, providing a range of medical assistance, including (but not limited to) emergency care, maternity care, and cancer treatment.
Moving homes can be a headache and a half to deal with, and even after doing your due diligence and proper research (like reading this article – well done!), you can still find yourself feeling overwhelmed during the process. To smoothen over the storing and packing part, you’ll need to have a trusted friend in the business whom you know you can rely on during a challenging and mentally draining time. At Pink Hippo, our storage units provide a secure space for excess furniture and essential items that need to be moved and stored around during this transition.
Call us at 0118 957 1573 to chat with one of our consultants in Reading today, and you can breathe easier knowing that one of the most stressful parts of your journey is being taken care of by your local professionals.