Winston-Salem, NC Area Guide

What do the locals think about Winston-Salem?

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Family friendly Public transit is accessible Walkable to grocery stores Yards are well-kept Lots of parks Walkable to restaurants Friendly neighbors Safe at night Pet friendly Streets have sidewalks A quiet area Sense of community

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Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem is one of North Carolina’s most livable cities, with a mild year-round climate, diverse neighborhoods, and an affordable cost of living. Winston-Salem’s downtown area is bustling but not overwhelming. Historic neighborhoods in the west, northwest, and southern sections of the city feature beautiful homes and leafy, quiet streets.

If you’re looking for a city that still has a small-town feel, Winston-Salem is perfect. Folks moving from a larger metro area will be pleasantly surprised by the slower pace of life balanced by the wide variety of things to do. Over the last decade, the population has shifted to younger professionals and families, and amenities have been designed with them in mind. Winston-Salem is also home to several universities, including Wake Forest University, Salem College, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Winston-Salem State University.

Once a town known for manufacturing and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, today Winston-Salem is a city known for jobs in technology, healthcare, and business. The newly-designated Innovation Quarter near downtown is friendly to entrepreneurs and startup companies.

The downtown area has undergone a renaissance in the last few years, with lots of former industrial spaces turned into apartments, office space, restaurants, shops, and breweries. But there’s also plenty of green space — the city has over 25 miles of trails and greenways and 80 parks, including nearby Salem Lake. For history fans, Old Salem is a recreation of the original town settlement. Visitors can feel as though they’ve gone back in time, and walk through a 16th-century town...yet are just a few steps away from shops and restaurants in the heart of the city. The Reynolda Museum of American art showcases world-renowned artists in a lavishly decorated 19th-century mansion. For sports fans, there's baseball at the new downtown stadium, winter hockey, and drag racing at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Home and rental prices are slightly lower than average, and the cost of living in Winston-Salem is affordable, compared to other U.S. cities. One drawback is that crime is slightly higher than average in some parts of the city. Compared to larger cities in North Carolina like Charlotte or Raleigh, Winston-Salem boasts the same quality of living, with lower costs and less traffic.

Public transportation options are slim. However, the Winston-Salem Transit Authority bus system offers routes that cover the major shopping centers and business districts throughout the city. The Piedmont Area Transit Authority is offers another set of bus routes to surrounding towns, commuter lots, the closest airport, and train stations.

Known as the City of Arts and Innovation, there are plenty of activities, festivals, sports, and concerts to keep residents entertained year round. The Downtown Arts District is a fun, walkable area with art galleries, restaurants, shops, cafes, and breweries. To make up for the lack of public transportation options, there is plenty of parking throughout the city.