Why You Should Move to Winston-Salem, NC - Livability.com (2024)

Discover affordability, friendly people and endless opportunities.

By Brittany Anas on January 4, 2024

On the weekends, Brian DeAngelis and his family love to spend time in the great outdoors, embarking on outings to Salem Lake, hitting up nearby hiking trails, and even sampling wine at a nearby vineyard where you can hang with llamas.

“We’ve been doing something different every weekend and still haven’t run out of things to do in the two years we’ve lived here,” says DeAngelis, who moved to the area from Pittsburgh with his wife and three children to take a position as president of the Winston-Salem Dash baseball team, a minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

It’s easy to see why people like DeAngelis choose to move to Greater Winston-Salem, NC. Known as the “City of Arts and Innovation,” this northwest North Carolina region offers affordability, great job and education opportunities, a growing arts scene and delicious dining options. When the workday ends, there’s all kinds of fun to be had, from cheering on the Dash to attending renowned cultural events like the National Black Theatre Festival. Ahead, let’s explore why people of various ages are relocating to this region.

Winston-Salem, NC, is Affordable

Winston-Salem offers a cost of living that is about 81% of the U.S. average and lower than that of other North Carolina metros like Raleigh and Charlotte. And, when it comes to housing, the region boasts several options with varying types and price points. Residents can choose from downtown apartments and master-planned communities to more rural homes with large yards.

Winston-Salem, NC, is Welcoming and Thriving

In addition to being wallet-friendly, Greater Winston-Salem is continuously working to become an even more inclusive community. Here, there are opportunities for everyone to thrive – both socially and professionally. Newcomers are warmly welcomed, and residents are willing to lend one another a helping hand. One example: REACH Women’s Network helps connect women newcomers to Winston-Salem resources and offers other programs like mentoring groups.

Excellent Education Options in Winston-Salem, NC

The region is home to several higher education institutions that are preparing students for their futures and supplying talent to area employers.

“I’m impressed with all the good options for higher education in the city, including Winston-Salem State, Wake Forest, Salem College and Forsyth Tech Community College,” says Kristopher Glenn, who grew up in nearby Walkertown and now works as the assistant director for university events at Wake Forest University. “One of the things that’s trending nowadays is the lack of people getting into skills-oriented trade careers, and Forsyth Tech offers several opportunities to get into those high-paying, cutting-edge careers.”

Great Jobs in Winston-Salem, NC

Speaking of careers, thanks to the region’s plethora of industries – aviation and aerospace, health care and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology and entrepreneurship – newcomers can find jobs they love here.

Entrepreneurs can also tap into all types of resources through organizations like Winston Starts, Flywheel and the Center for Creative Economy.

Plenty to Do in Winston-Salem, NC

Another benefit of living in Greater Winston-Salem is there are plenty of fun ways to fill your time. The Sawtooth School for Visual Art, for example, is a community art schoolthat offers classes and camps for youth and adults.

“There’s a sense of pride that the arts don’t just feel like dessert here,” says Chase Law, a North Carolina native who moved back to her home state from New York City to take a job as the president and CEO of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County.

Other ways to enjoy arts and culture in the area include hearing the Winston-Salem Symphony or catching a theater performance at Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts. And Winston-Salem’s youngest residents can spend time at Kaleideum, a children’s museum that blends art and science – it is opening a brand-new museum in the heart of downtown.

Residents can also enjoy a fun night out close to home by playing a round at Twisted Putter, a high-tech, neon-lit mini-golf course at ROAR, which is a 45,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination.

Dining Out in Winston-Salem, NC

In addition to the area’s vast activities, Greater Winston-Salem is home to a phenomenal food scene. The downtown area alone has more than 75 restaurants and 30 bars and breweries. A neighborhood gathering place is Spring House Restaurant Kitchen and Bar, which is housed in a century-old mansion and serves local food that changes with the seasons.

Find modern Indian dishes at Oh’ Calcutta or head to The Remedy, a cozy neighborhood gathering place that serves coffee, tea, wine and spritz, or Radar Brewing Company, which pours a variety of beers in the city’s booming arts and entertainment district, Industry Hill.

In addition to serving up great food and drinks, Greater Winston-Salem is known for its food and beverage manufacturing industry. In fact, it is home to some iconic sweet, spicy and savory brands as well as many craft beers and beverages. Here are some signature products made in the region:

1. Foothills Beer
   One of the largest regional craft breweries in the Southeast, Foothills Beer has two Winston- Salem locations. The company also produces freshly roasted coffee.
2. A LA BRAVA
   With its “Are you brave enough to try it?” slogan, A LA BRAVA produces hot sauces infused with a blend of peppers and spices.
3. Texas Pete
   This Winston-Salem hot sauce company was introduced to the public in 1929, and today, it is the seventh-best selling hot sauce in the U.S., according to online grocery service Instacart.
4. Krispy Kreme
   This doughnut company and coffeehouse chain currently has 1,400 locations worldwide, and as of 2021, the public can now buy shares of Krispy Kreme stock on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
5. Dewey’s Bakery
   Opened in 1930, Dewey’s makes fresh cookies in flavors such as triple ginger, toasted coconut and salted caramel. Dewey’s Bakery cookies became available on grocery store shelves nationwide in 2018.
6. Sunshine Good Energy
   Sunshine Good Energy makes energy drinks and energy waters in a variety of flavors, such as black cherry, blueberry lemonade, clementine twist, ginger berry and lotus pear. Vitamins, electrolytes and organic caffeine are added to the products.