$100k a year, no longer in Birmingham
changea dispatch from
reading
PA
40.33°N
75.93°W
Reading is the Pagoda lit up on Mount Penn (a Japanese-style pavilion built in 1908 that's become the city symbol), old factory bones, and the surrounding Berks County farmland. The downtown food and art scene is growing into the old factory bones, with breweries and galleries opening steadily. Pretzels, scrapple, and Pennsylvania Dutch baking are everywhere. Cheaper than nearby Lancaster.
the verdict
less monthly outlay than Birmingham
On paper, Reading and Birmingham are twins. In practice they live very differently.
a quick ledger.
$1,478/mo
5% more expensive than Birmingham(vs $1,407/mo)
3.07%
$161/mo less in state tax than Birmingham
vs 5% in Birmingham
$6,600/mo
$90 more than Birmingham
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$311k
19% more expensive than Birmingham
vs $261k in Birmingham
433k
vs 1.2M in Birmingham
field notes, weather & such.
157
pleasant days a year, in reading.
Birmingham has the edge here, logging 171 pleasant days a year. Cold snaps are part of the year: 32 days below 20° here, 4 in Birmingham.
Noticeably quieter than Birmingham. About 68% fewer events on a typical month.
65/100
7% higher than Birmingham
vs 61/100 in Birmingham
Closest outdoor draw: French Creek State Park, 9.6 mi.
85/100
8% higher than Birmingham
vs 79/100 in Birmingham
0
100% fewer than Birmingham
vs 20 nonstops in Birmingham
if reading appeals, also worth a look:
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