The Best Winston-Salem Neighborhoods: A Look at 10 of the Best Communities in Camel City

Winston-Salem, NC, is known for its vibrant culture and affordability, thriving economy, and abundance of educational opportunities. The city has a variety of cultural attractions, including a diverse arts scene and historic districts to explore. Looking to relocate? Better get to know the best Winston-Salem neighborhoods now so you have a better idea of where to settle. Luckily, there are options ideal for families, young professionals, and retirees alike.

Winston-Salem is a welcoming community that combines the charm of a small town with the energy of a big city. You’ll find prominent institutions, like Wake Forest University. And the region's emphasis on innovation and education makes it an ideal place for anyone wanting to get a strong education and grow their careers. We’re here to introduce you to 12 of the city’s best neighborhoods, but first, a quick look at some fun facts.

Winston-Salem at a Glance

• Winston-Salem has a population of 257,400.
• The city’s attributes attract all demographics, from students to families to retirees.
• The average home value in Winston-Salem is $257,500, compared to $330,600 in the state and $360,700 nationally.
• The average rent in Winston-Salem is $1,300, compared to $1,550 in the state and $1,750 nationally.
• The city’s biggest draws are its historic charm, strong arts/culture scene, jobs, schools, local events, and plenty of outdoor recreation.

Best Neighborhoods in Winston-Salem

There are plenty of good neighborhoods in Winston-Salem, and it can feel overwhelming looking at a Winston-Salem neighborhoods map and trying to figure out which one is best for your lifestyle. From neighborhoods with a city feel to more secluded and tranquil areas, take a look at the best Winston-Salem neighborhoods to help you narrow down your options.

Ardmore’s charm is evidenced by the beautiful houses within its historic district.
(Source: Fader Real Estate via Facebook)

1. Ardmore

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,200
• Average home value: $299,600
• Great for: Families, historic homes, tight-knit community, local events
• Commute to Downtown: 7-minute drive

Ardmore claims the title of the largest residential neighborhood of Winston-Salem. The majority of these homes were built from 1940 to 1969, and the area's charm is evidenced by the beautiful houses within its historic district. The neighborhood has a city-like atmosphere with an eclectic and artsy vibe, along with high levels of walkability.

The architectural styles of the homes in Ardmore include Craftsman, Queen Anne, and Foursquare. And, more commonly, you’ll find cottages and ranch-style homes.

Local events organized by the Ardmore Neighborhood Association are representative of the area's close-knit atmosphere. One of the most popular events is the Ardmore Art Walk, which takes place in the fall. During this event, people rent out their yards to artists so they can sell their work.

2. Old Sherwood Forest

• Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
• Average home value: $513,000
• Great for: Families, tranquility, schools, outdoor recreation
• Commute to Downtown: 10-minute drive

Best known for its convenient location, Old Sherwood Forest is a family-friendly and peaceful community tucked away in a wooded area of west Winston-Salem, and its homes are protected by thick groves of trees. While there are some bad neighborhoods in Winston-Salem when it comes to crime rate, Old Sherwood Forest is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Winston-Salem.

The community has an abundance of single-family houses that were built during the 1960s and 1970s, and there are plenty of lot sizes in this area, ranging from a quarter to a full acre. The neighborhood's students attend schools like Sherwood Forest Elementary School, which has earned an A grade from Niche and focuses on science and the visual arts.

There are plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities in Old Sherwood Forest, such as Leinbach Park, which is located near the northern part of the community. 

3. Buena Vista

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,175
• Average home value: $736,100
• Great for: Families, retirees, shopping, dining, country club amenities
• Commute to Downtown: 10-minute drive

Buena Vista is one of the more affluent Winston-Salem neighborhoods, and includes a mixture of cross-gabled ranches, luxurious Georgian, and Colonial-style homes. The community vibe of Buena Vista is known for its popular dining establishments and shopping areas. One of these is Buie’s Market, which is a small grocery store that focuses on locally-sourced food and provides meal kits.

Forsyth Country Club is a convenient location for residents of Buena Vista, which features a golf course and various other facilities for the whole family. Some of these include a kids' club, classrooms, and an exercise center.

Downtown has a vibrant energy with a walkable layout and the perfect blend of historic charm and modern amenities.

4. Downtown

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,800
• Median home sale price: $662,500
• Great for: Young professionals, vibrant atmosphere, local events, arts, live music

As the heart of the city’s central district, Downtown is one of the best Winston-Salem neighborhoods for those looking for an area that has a vibrant energy with a walkable layout and the perfect blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Often described as the city’s urban core, Downtown is characterized by its many historic tobacco warehouses that have been converted into lofts, and includes a flourishing innovation and arts district in areas like Industry Hill.

Downtown Winston-Salem draws large crowds for various events each year, as one of the city's larger communities. Some of the events that happen in the area include Juneteenth Festivals and the RiverRun International Film Festival. Live music is a staple in the community, and there are a couple of popular venues in the area, such as The Ramkat and Winston Square Park.

5. Washington Park

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,350
• Average home value: $324,900
• Great for: Families, retirees, shopping, dining
• Commute to Downtown: 10-minute drive

Situated south of Downtown Winston-Salem and surrounded by hip businesses and historical landmarks, Washington Park is regarded as one of the area's most desirable neighborhoods and happens to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Many of the houses in Washington Park are over a hundred years old, but buyers will still find updated interiors and new construction. The area's architectural styles during the late 19th and early 1900s include Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and the Craftsman style.

Residents of Washington Park live in a walkable community where they can easily explore the neighborhood's popular features, such as Washington Park, which has a variety of activities for children and space for pets to roam. The neighborhood is also near several local businesses, such as Acadia Foods — a family-owned shop popular for its coffee shop and market.

6. Williamsburg Square

• Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
• Average home value: $276,100
• Great for: Retirees, dining, medical care proximity, community events
• Commute to Downtown: 11-minute drive

Williamsburg Square sits just off Interstate 40 and Hanes Mall Boulevard, offering a cozy pocket of calm. It’s perfect for folks looking to spend their golden years in a small community. Unlike other Winston-Salem neighborhoods, most residents are over the age of 50 in this area. It's easy to find great dining establishments when you live in Williamsburg Square, such as Bad Daddy's Burger Bar, as well as top medical facilities, such as Bethany Medical at the Kimel Forest.

The neighborhood might be quiet, but it still has plenty to offer. You’ll find a calendar filled with various events from the homeowners' association, including a book club. The community pool is also available from May to September.

Those looking to purchase a home in West Highlands can choose from various architectural styles such as Colonial Revival, New Traditional, and Craftsman.
(Source: Fader Real Estate via Facebook)

7. West Highlands

• Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
• Average home value: $561,500
• Great for: Families, convenient location, local events
• Commute to Downtown: 8-minute drive

West Highlands is one of the best Winston-Salem neighborhoods that's known all over the country for its Carolina Classic Fair, which has been held here since 1951. This neighborhood is conveniently located near Downtown Winston-Salem and Wake Forest University.

The fair takes place at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, which has around 325,000 visitors every October. During the event, they can enjoy carnival games, food, and tractor pulls. Aside from the fair, West Highlands residents can also check out the Fairground Farmers Market.

Those who are looking to purchase a home in this area can choose from various architectural styles such as Colonial Revival, New Traditional, and Craftsman-style homes.

8. Mount Tabor

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,225
• Average home value: $216,500
• Great for: Families, tranquility, seclusion, history
• Commute to Downtown: 15-minute drive

Located in the northwestern part of Winston-Salem, Mount Tabor is a quiet community that is surrounded by mature woodland and offers many spacious and eloquent homes. There are a wide variety of home styles and prices in Mount Tabor, and most of the houses are mid-century ranch-style with split-levels situated on modest landscaped lots. The dense forest surrounding these properties provides a sense of seclusion.

Situated near some of the region's top historical sites, residents of Mount Tabor are close to the Reynolda Historic District, which is where tobacco farmer Richard Reynolds lived and serves as an educational hub for Winston-Salem. Historic Bethabara Park is also nearby, which was home to the first Moravian refugee settlement.

9. Waughtown

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,050
• Average home value: $115,800
• Great for: Families, recreation, dining, places of worship
• Commute to Downtown: 10-minute drive

Waughtown started out in the 1800s and was mainly developed after the Second World War. Some of its early structures still remain intact, and today the community is known for its strong sense of faith, with more than a handful of houses of worship. The architecture of this area is influenced by the styles of the early 20th century, and ranch-style homes are prevalent in the area now.

Sprague Street Community Center offers residents a place to play basketball, swim in the community pool, and vote. There are plenty of restaurants and shops on Sprague and Waughtown streets, primarily owned by Latin Americans. One of these is El Rancho Taqueria — a family-owned restaurant known for its authentic Mexican food.

West Salem is a historic district that was first established during the industrialization of the city in the 20th century.
(Source: Fader Real Estate via Facebook)

10. West Salem

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $825
• Average home value: $239,500
• Great for: Families, retirees, dining, shopping
• Commute to Downtown: 6-minute drive

One of the oldest corners of Winston-Salem, West Salem is a historic district that was first established during the industrialization of the city during the 20th century. Many of the houses in this area were originally built for workers who were needed to live near the factories that were nearby.

The area has a long industrial past; however, the old factory buildings have since been taken over by a variety of local businesses, putting the spaces to new and productive use. Residents can now enjoy amenities like the weekly farmers market, held every Saturday at the Cobblestone Farmers Market.

Residents can explore the various establishments of the community by walking along South Broad Street, which leads to places like Lesser-Known Beer Co. and East of Texas, a barbecue, Tex-mex, and brunch joint. West Salem Shopping Center is located on the other side of the neighborhood.

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Editor’s note: Average and median rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow; and median home sale prices were obtained from Redfin. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100. Home values in the millions were rounded to the nearest $100,000.

_{*This article was written on behalf of PODS Enterprises, LLC (“PODS”). PODS does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of any information contained in this article and disclaims any liability for reliance upon the content herein.}