Five Reasons You Should & Should Not Move To Winston-Salem, N.C.

Most Winston residents have few complaints about the area, but life in a mid-size town might not be for you. To get a taste of what it’s like to live in the Camel City, read this list of five reasons you should not move to Winston-Salem, followed by five reasons you should move to Winston-Salem.

You should not move to Winston-Salem if…

1. You do not own a car. Every city has its issues, and public transit is one Winston-Salem grapples with. A car is necessary given the sheer size of the metro area – about 132 square miles. The Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) runs bus routes, an option for those who don’t have other means of transportation. Because of the vast area they serve, these buses are not a time-efficient way to travel. Bus transportation is even less reliable when WSTA suspends routes due to a shortage of operators willing to work in current conditions. s proposed safety measures to address the dangerous activities at the downtown bus station to protect employees and riders. All that to say, public transportation needs improvement, and the city gets poor marks for walkability. There, however, are scooters and bikes in the downtown areas that many use to get from place to place within the downtown area. 
   
2. You are used to a fast-paced lifestyle and feel locations outside a big city are dull. Winston-Salem residents fully embrace the mid-size city lifestyle and all the goodness that comes from it, like less traffic. Winston has fantastic restaurants, bars, arts, and entertainment, but they might be more concentrated in a larger city. 
   
3. You live for nightlife. Winston-Salem has a vibrant downtown with nightlife options. After all, it is a college town, so many places cater to a younger crowd. With that said, there are better places to go for late-night clubbing. You probably won’t like Winston if you’re looking for a big-city vibe. The city has few clubs and concert venues, and many establishments close around 10 p.m. Winston is a relatively small, community-minded city, so it differs from significant metro areas like NYC and Chicago. 
   
4. You need immediate access to an airport. PTI is a 30-45 minute drive from Winston-Salem, a smaller airport than CLT in Charlotte, a 90-minute drive, and RDU in Raleigh. If you work a job requiring frequent flying and the distance to airports is too far, you should look outside Winston-Salem. 
   
5. You live for snow in the winter. Winston experiences all four seasons and colder winters than most other states in the south. The winters are mild, and the summers are hot. There is little snowfall, with temperatures rarely dipping below 30 degrees. Most people’s favorite times of year in Winston are fall and Spring because the temperatures are moderate and comfortable. You can’t beat the fall foliage in Winston, and Spring brings fresh, beautiful blooms. Spring also brings high pollen counts, which causes allergies for many. Exterior surfaces get coated in yellow pollen, probably more so than snow in the winter. 

You should move to Winston-Salem if…

1. You seek a close-knit community feel in a mid-size city. There are many neighborhood communities within Winston, each with various appeals. Check out some more popular ones if you want a feel for the different neighborhood vibes:
   1. West End is a historic neighborhood, one of the oldest in the area, located next to downtown. 
   2. Sherwood Forest is more removed from downtown and has a suburban feel with large lots and mature trees. 
   3. Buena Vista is a sophisticated and sought-after neighborhood known for tree-lined streets and old southern-style homes. Some of the houses date back to the early 1900s. 
   4. Ardmore separates the two hospitals. Many renovated older bungalows and cottages increase the neighborhood’s desirability.
   5. Brookberry Farm used to be an 800-acre country estate and dairy operation. Now, the community is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the Triad region. It sits on the far west side of Winston-Salem and is the farthest distance from downtown of the neighborhoods on this list. 
   6. Washington Park has a unique historic charm with its many architectural styles and rich history. It offers convenient access to Old Salem, UNC School of the Arts, and downtown.
      
2. You want access to city amenities without the drawbacks of living in a big city. You enjoy the feel of a smaller town and want to live in a medium-sized city with an affordable cost of living. 
   
3. You like beer and the prevalence of local breweries. We recommend checking out the following local breweries:
   • Incendiary Brewing Company
   • Wise Man Brewing
   • Radar Brewing Company
   • Hoots Beer Co.
   • Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company
   • Foothiils Brewpub
   • Joymongers Barrel Hall
   • Lesser-Known Beer Company
     
4. You need access to good educational options. According to Niche.com, WS/FCS is the nineteenth-best school district in NC. The many universities create a college-town vibe and are a plus for anyone starting a small business:
   1. Carolina University
   2. Forsyth Technical Community College
   3. Salem College
   4. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
   5. Wake Forest University 
   6. Winston-Salem State University
      
5. You enjoy day and weekend trips. Winston-Salem is near various state attractions. A 90-minute drive gets you to Charlotte, the largest city in North Carolina. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville are two hours to the west, and the coast is four hours to the east. A few of the state’s famous state parks are less than an hour away from Winston, including Pilot Mountain, Hanging Rock, and Stone Mountain.