Your Winston-Salem, NC Real Estate Questions Answered

Are you looking at living in Winston-Salem, NC? You’ve picked one of the best places to live in North Carolina. Families, young professionals, students, and retirees alike enjoy the amenities of Winston-Salem. Many residents own their homes and live a suburban-style lifestyle with the eclectic variety you’d expect of a college town. It all comes with an affordable cost of living.

You’ll find a lot of housing options here. Learn more about Winston-Salem real estate in our frequently asked questions. 

What is the average price of a home in Winston-Salem, NC?

The average price for a home was $202,068 as of November 2021. Those prices were up 22% year-over-year. The median list price was $230,000, with a median price per sq ft of $122.

The lowest-priced listing was $60,000 with 2-bedrooms and 1-bathroom on 0.23 acres; the property needed renovations. The most expensive listing was $2.385 million for a historic home featuring 6-bedrooms, 6-full, and two half-bathrooms, on just over two acres with a pool courtyard and a 1,458 sq ft guest home.

Residential real estate had a median of 44 days on the market in November 2021. 

Are there any condos or townhomes available in Winston-Salem, NC? 

Yes, you can find townhomes and condominiums for sale in Winston-Salem. As of January 2022, 16 available condo units were on the market.

The most expensive condo was a downtown two-story condo listed at just under $1 million for 3-bedrooms, 3.5-bathrooms, and three designated parking spaces. The unit included private elevator access and Pilot Mountain views.

The least expensive condo for sale was listed at $74,750 for 2-bedrooms and 1-bathroom near Country Club Road. 

What is the property tax rate for Winston-Salem, NC?

Winston-Salem is inside Forsyth County. For real estate property taxes, the county charged 0.6778 mils as of 2021. The City of Winston-Salem charges an additional 0.6124 mils for a combined 1.2902 per $100 of assessed value. The Winston-Salem Business Improvement District charges an additional 0.09 mils. The countywide fire service district assesses 0.0036 mils. 

What county is Winston-Salem, NC in?

Winston-Salem is the primary city inside Forsyth County. It takes up the majority of space. 

This Piedmont Triad region is halfway between New York and Florida. Forsyth is enriched by an excellent transportation network, world-class educational institutions, and a diverse job market. The lifestyle is bolstered by a diverse arts scene, ample dining and nightlife, and numerous parks.

Residents find a land of rolling hills and streams running between. The combination of geography and climate makes Forsyth ideal for wine-growing.

Inside the cities are historic homes with character, urban amenities, and a progressive feel. Moravian influences are found in the small towns surrounding Winston-Salem. You’ll find their impact in the architecture and in the unique cuisine offerings. 

Is Winston-Salem, NC growing?

Winston-Salem had 249,545 residents in the April 2020 Census. Around 19,000 additional people now call Winston-Salem home, a growth rate of 8% over the last decade. 

Winston-Salem has a diverse population, with 46% of residents identifying as white alone, 35% as black or African-American, and 15% as Hispanic or Latino. Around 35% of residents aged 25 and older had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

Historically, Winston-Salem has had slow and steady growth, enabling it to preserve its small-town feel and plan methodically for improvements. 

What neighborhoods are in Winston-Salem, NC?

Winston-Salem has a great variety of places to live. You’ll find historic homes near the downtown area. Some suburbs have spacious lots, while others offer a walkable lifestyle. New construction can be found in neighborhoods around greater Winston-Salem, with the most growth in the surrounding neighborhoods. 

Here are a few neighborhoods in Winston-Salem:

Arcadia is an established suburban neighborhood with single-family homes and apartments. This area was developed between the 1940s and 1960s, but new construction properties are trying to meet the demand for a living here. Arcadia is close to the local universities.

Atwood Acres’s many trails make it a walking-friendly neighborhood. It’s close to shopping, like Costco, and some local schools.

Forbes has named downtown Winston-Salem in the past as one of America’s Best Downtowns. You live near Fourth Street’s Restaurant Row and the dynamic Downtown Arts District. Architecturally, you feel like stepping back in time. 

Mount Tabor is easy to get around. It’s close to many well-known restaurants and shopping.

West Highlands is a diverse neighborhood when it comes to housing. It has the highest real estate prices, with a median listing price of $799,000 in January 2022. Residents are close to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, several parks, and grocery stores. 

The most affordable neighborhood in Winston-Salem is Brookwood, where the median listing price is $125,000 in January 2022.

Old Town is a historic neighborhood that was a separate community before Winston-Salem annexed it. Here you’ll find historical houses in a picturesque setting. The schools here are rated above average, and there are many neighborhood parks. 

Old Vineyard was developed around the 1950s, so you’ll find many ranch-style homes, mid-century modern styling, and contemporary styles. It has sidewalks and is located near Forsyth Hospital. 

South Fork is a quiet community, and it has a small-town feel. There’s a diversity of architectural styles. Residents are close to Forsyth Hospital and have a community center. The Forsyth Country Club, established in 1913, is within reach of this community. 

Stanleyville’s many farms preserve its rural feel. It was another suburban neighborhood indexed by Winston-Salem. 

West Oaks is south of Wake Forest Baptist Health Hospital. It is a small community, but it is seeing a lot of new development. For that reason, you’ll see a mix of older and newer constructed homes. 

What neighborhoods are near Wake Forest University?

Buena Vista is northwest of downtown, making it convenient for entertainment and shopping. It is a tree-lined neighborhood known as being friendly and peaceful. A prime location makes it one of the more expensive neighborhoods. 

Ardmore is a large neighborhood situated between Forsyth Hospital and Wake Forest University Baptist. The location makes it popular with medical students, doctors, and hospital administrators. Miller Park is one of the largest in the city. For real estate, you’ll find historic homes dating back to the 1910s. 

Bethabara Park was settled 260 years ago by a small group of Moravians. This historic part of town has a 183-acre wildlife preserve, archeological sites, a reconstructed Colonial Village, and more. Its location near Wake Forest University makes it a great place to live, work, and play. 

West End is a charming neighborhood nicknamed “Winston-Salem’s front porch” because of its welcoming personality. Inside the neighborhood, you’ll find turn-of-the-century architecture, like colonial revival, craftsmen, and Queen Anne. Residents live near many restaurants and places to socialize. 

Also known as Polo, Sherwood Forest is conveniently located near downtown Winston-Salem. The stately homes here date back to the 1960s and 70s. The spacious lots have mature, majestic trees. Schaffner Park includes tennis courts and scenic walking trails. There are plenty of grocery options and restaurants nearby. 

Are there any waterfront properties found in Winston-Salem, NC? 

There are some waterfront properties in Winston-Salem, but not many. Since Winston-Salem lacks a lakefront, what is available often is part of a park. Take Salem Lake, the city’s largest reservoir, as an example. The lake is surrounded by the Salem Lake Trail and a park. 

What properties are available typically are along a stream or creek. Occasionally some pond-front properties come to market, but they are rare.  

How is golf in Winston-Salem, NC?

You’ll find nine golf courses situated in Winston-Salem. Two of these are municipal courses, while the rest are semi-private or private. You have another 23 golf courses located within 20 miles of the city, including ten public courses. In short, players have options when it comes to fine-tuning their game.

A sampling of local courses includes the Hale Wind-designed course at Meadowlands Golf Club. This club is part of a master-planned community in the heart of the Triad. The area’s oldest course is the High Point Country Club Willow Creek course, which opened in 1923. The Oak Valley Golf Club runs for over 7,000 yards.  

Are there golf course communities in Winston-Salem, NC? 

It’s a bit more challenging to find a golf course community inside the official boundaries of Winston-Salem. However, just outside the city limits is the master-planned golf course community of the Meadowlands. Your options here include single-family homes and villas. Meadowlands’s St James Golf Villas combines low-maintenance living with casual golf course-style living. 

Surrounding Forsyth Country Club is more homes with golf course views and access. These homes are along Country Club Rd, Sherwood Forest, Pine Valley, and Club Park. 

What areas are near Winston-Salem, NC?

Winston-Salem is part of the Triad, which includes Greensboro and High Point. Greensboro is the state’s third-largest city by population. Combined with Winston-Salem’s large and growing population, these three areas are a booming part of the state.

Explore cultural sites, arts, culture, and museums in nearby Greensboro. Find attractions on the American Revolution and the Civil War. The Greensboro Science Center is a popular family destination. 

High Point is a designated NC retirement community, but it’s an attractive place to live for people of all ages. The smallest of the three Triad cities has a more suburban feel, but it still delivers on urban amenities. High Point is an epicenter for furniture production.

What to know about living in Winston-Salem, NC

When you live in Winston-Salem, you’ll get a lot of “bang” for your dollar. US News and World Report ranks the city no. 3 “Best Place to Live in North Carolina” and no. 46 in its “Best Places to Live in the US.” It ranked as no. 16 in its “Safest Places to Live.” 

The city maintains its southern roots, but it’s been modernizing. The diverse resident population is evident in the available dining choices and the various festivals. Enjoy everything from classic North Carolina BBQ to Boba Tea. 

Winston-Salem has an affordable cost of living for a city of its size and amenities. Housing costs still remain under the national median price, as of January 2022. With world-class health care, a leading university, other top-ranked colleges, and a diverse economy, more people are drawn into Winston-Salem. 

Living in Winston-Salem, NC

If you’re considering moving to Winston-Salem, you’re not alone. This culturally diverse city has plenty to offer in outdoor recreation, lifestyle amenities, and reasons to live here. It has a rich history, but the city’s eyes are turned to the future. Six universities add to its youthful, progressive feel. Whether you’re a student, family, or retiree, Winston-Salem has great amenities, many housing choices, and a low cost of living.

Explore the Winston-Salem real estate market with a local expert.