Reading, PA, United States

This working-class suburb of Reading has its charms, but don't expect it to be a cakewalk. With a population of just 4,553, West Reading packs a lot of diversity into a small space - nearly 1 in 10 residents are Hispanic or Latino. The median household income sits at a modest $38,340, and 5.8% of families live below the poverty line. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with a council-manager form of government and a separate mayor overseeing public safety. But the town does have a vibrant main street and a major hospital that employs many locals. Overall, West Reading is a functional, no-frills community that may appeal to those seeking an affordable, blue-collar lifestyle near a larger city.