How is the job market in south central Pennsylvania?

READING, PENNSYLVANIA? Job Market? Housing? Cost of Living? Best Schools? Asian Crowd? Activities?

• I fin. narrowed it down to READING, Penn. where I'll be working in Reading Hospital. Like to know what Reading has to offer for us (Couple with a toddler and 8yo) I'm moving from Phx, AZ so SNOW plowing is not a way of life for us lol. What's it like on a day to day basis dealing w/ snow? How are minorities welcomed in that area (we're Asians but very westernized in twang and culture) and what's the statistic in terms of races down there? This is a concern as I have come across some narrowminded people out here who frowns upon colored races ... believe me, I know Racial Discrimination.... LEASING HOUSES out there? Price range? We want to lease in a great school district so we can eventually buy a house there? Price range? I know JON and KATE lives in Reading and they seem to be okay ... I guess lol. Perks and downside of living and Reading? Recommendations of other areas around Reading which offers more or at least the same? THANKS SO MUCH!!!

• Answer:

  Snow is not a big issue. There are about 2-3 major snow storms each year; PennDot is usually pretty good with clearing up the main roads, so snow is not a big deal. I would recommend getting a condo or an apartment if you don't want to deal with removing snow; also, I would recommend getting an AWD / 4WD vehicle to deal with the driving in the snow. There is some slight tension between minorities due to a steadily growing influx of Hispanic people into the city (mostly transplants from NYC). Many decades ago, the city was primarily White, so any time you get a change in demographics, it will cause some tension (just read about Hazleton, PA). As for demographics, the city of Reading is about 1/3 Hispanic, and about 10% Black, with the rest being White. The city of Reading has its share of gang violence, so I suggest that you stick to the suburbs. The best school in the area is Wyomissing (this area is almost all White); they have a good number of AP classes, and every year, they send the most number of graduates to Ivy League schools (compared to other districts in the area). The down side is the cost. The homes in this school district tend to be in the higher end in the area, and most of the inhabitants are doctors / lawyers / business people / engineers. I'm guessing the prices would be around the low 200k's. As for discrimination against Asians, the people overall are nice, but once in a while you will get a few people making ignorant comments. I must say that there aren't too many Asians in Reading. Expect your kid to be the only Asian kid in the grade. (At most there might be 1-2 other Asian kids in the same grade).