Overall Score
The town of Rheding (or Rheding) is located on the Cennete River, a tributary of the River Thames, 64 km west of London, in the county of Berkshire. The first settlement of the present city – the village of Rhydingum, appeared in the 8th century. In 1121, the Benedictine abbey was founded in Rhydingum, and the city began to grow rapidly. In the first half of the 16th century, Reading was the largest city in the county and one of the ten largest cities in England. In the 18th century, thanks to the iron ore mines discovered around the city, Reading became a major industrial center.
Most of Ruedings architectural features are collectively cultural, religious or educational institutions. The citys oldest building is the local cathedral, built in the 11th century. Another equally significant historic feature of Roseding is the ruins of the Benedictine abbey, founded by King Henry I. Only the main church of the abbey, the chapel, the chapel chapel, the pallbearers quarters, and part of the gateway walls are still intact, more or less, to this day.
In 1855, Forbury Gardens Park was laid out around the abbeys ruined grounds. Created in the finest Victorian Parks tradition, it has remained unchanged to this day. In the centerpiece of the park is a memorial to the British soldiers who died during Englands colonial wars in Africa in 1838-1842 and 1878-1880. The monument was unveiled in 1884, and is a huge stone lion.
A favorite tourist destination is St. James, built in 1840, in the heart of the city. In addition, you can see the old school (1125), university (1892), and city hall (1875), which is now a public library.
The citys museums include the City History Museum, opened in 1883, the Museum of Zoology, the Museum of African Provincial History, and the Museum of Greek Archaeology. There is a botanical garden and several parks with open-air concerts in the citys suburbs. In August, Rieding hosts the annual Music Festival, the largest event of its kind in Great Britain. Riding is also an annual horse race and sailing regatta.
Overall Score
- Air quality: 29 US AQI Good. Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Tap water: Yes, safe to drink
- Population: 220,000 people
- GDP: $40,249 / year
- Foreigners can own real estate: Yes
- Power outlets: 230V50Hz
- Internet: 25 Mbps
- Best wireless: Three
- Pay without cash: Yes, cards OK almost everywhere
- Tipping: At restaurants in the UK a tip of around 10% is expected if you order at your table. A ‘service charge’ or ‘optional charge’ may be included so check your bill. If there is a service charge, don’t tip extra. If there is a service charge you may like to ensure that it goes to the waiter or waitress.
- Apartment listings: Gumtree
- Apartments: Airbnb
- Hotels: Booking.com
- More hotels: Hotels.com
- Best taxi: Uber
- Online electronics shop: Amazon
- Best hospital: Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Best short-haul air carrier: RyanAir
- Best intl air carrier: British Airways
- Monthly costs for expat: $2800
- Monthly costs for family: $6900
- Monthly costs for local: $2000
- Meal: $17
- Small Cola: $3
- Beer 1 Pint: $5
- Coffee: $3
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