Move To Reading

Moving to Reading is a great option for those looking for the benefits of the big city living, without the drawbacks. The capital of the Thames Valley, Reading is a global technology town - a HQ hub with international businesses and diverse communities rich with culture, set within stunning surrounding countryside and on the doorstep of one of the greatest capital cities on earth.

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The Reading community

Reading has a population of around 160,000, with the ‘greater’ Reading area in the region of 275,000. Reading has a broadly young population, with a melting pot of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and communities weaving into the glorious nature and texture of the town and area. Reading is also proud to be City of Sanctuary, providing a welcoming place of safety for refugees and those fleeing violence. A broad range of faiths are represented in Reading, with religious landmarks including the only purpose-built synagogue in Berkshire, churches for all aspects of the Christian faith, several mosques, a Buddhist centre, a Hindu temple and a Sikh temple.

Living in Reading

Reading’s town centre offers a great life/work balance catering for young professionals, right through to older families. A major residential investment has created new homes in the urban core, alongside a vibrant food and drink and shopping offer with new bars, restaurants and cafes.

Reading has a buoyant housing market with the average house price of £438k and flats around £248k, still comparing well with nearby London. From new-build apartments in the heart of Reading to a choice of Victorian and family houses in surrounding areas, there is a wide variety of housing on offer. For those seeking rural countryside living, there is plenty of easy commuting choice from Reading’s neighbouring towns and villages.

Working in Reading

Whether you’re looking to work for a tech start up or a long-standing corporate, Reading is home to some of the world’s biggest employers across the town centre and its numerous business parks. In the last few years, the huge transport infrastructure investment in Reading Station has attracted new office spaces with a vibrant start-up culture based around new co-working spaces.

Reading also has one of the highest employment rates in the UK and the second highest wages outside London, with its economy being one of the outstanding performers in the UK and Europe for several decades.

Schools and studying in Reading

Relocating to Reading provides lots of education choices. With some of the best schools in the country, a wide range of academies, grammar schools, independent schools, a technical college and a world-ranking university, there are many options if you're looking to study in Reading.

The University of Reading is rated as one of the world’s top 200 universities with its two Reading campuses forming an integral part of the town. The University is home to three museums and sports park, with renowned research expertise in meteorology and climate change, biological sciences, archaeology, agriculture, built environment and planning, typography, business and classics.

Doing business in Reading

With an international talent pool, world-class University and home to thousands of knowledge-based companies, from global giants to high-growth SMEs and start-ups, Reading continues to attract businesses from all over the world – it’s no wonder it’s been ranked as the fifth best city for business by Management Today. Its proximity to the UK’s global hub airport, Heathrow, and excellent connectivity to London and all points north, south, east and west is a key attraction to the many global HQs who have chosen to base themselves in the region.

Who's here? Think Microsoft, Oracle, PepsiCo, Bayer, Virgin Media, Thales, Thames Water, SSE for starters. 

Arts and Culture in Reading

From award-winning theatres to cinemas, nightlife and music venues, Reading has a growing arts and culture scene. From mainstream productions shown at the well-known Hexagon Theatre, to arts and culture programmes from South Street Arts Centre, Rabble, Reading Rep, the Town Hall and Concert Hall. And, of course, it’s home to the world-famous Reading Festival, which has hosted many of the greatest rock bands on the planet over the last 50 years. No camping necessary!

Green and blue spaces in Reading

Reading is home to a wonderful mix of cosmopolitan, urban areas and serene green space, with the River Thames and Kennet providing a scenic backdrop to many of Reading’s buildings, shops and parks. Home to around 100 parks, 20 woodlands, and five nature reserves, there’s no shortage of parks and gardens to explore – plus, at the heart of the Thames Valley, Reading is just a stone’s throw from surrounding countryside and leafy villages. The Thames Path is popular for walking and cycling, and Reading is a major water sports destination, with lots of on-the-water activities on offer throughout the year.