5 Reasons to Relocate to Winston-Salem, North Carolina

The fact that Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is headquartered here should be reason enough for a move.

But for those in need of more convincing, here are our five reasons why Winston-Salem (or “Winston,” as the locals so affectionately refer to it) is the new hotspot to relocate.

With a robust local economy, an array of high-quality schools and universities nearby, as well as a thriving arts scene, Winston is the ideal place to set down roots—whether you’re a young professional just starting out, or a retiree looking for a nice place to relax in your twilight years.

1. It’s a business-friendly town

Winston is enthusiastically pro-business—for proof, one need look no further than the list of big brand names that have decided to set up shop here.

From Krispy Kreme and Hanes to K&W Cafeterias and the TW Garner Food Company (creators of everybody’s go-to condiment, Texas Pete), Winston’s diverse corporate community creates opportunities for citizens and injects economic vitality into the city.

2. There’s art everywhere

Art is in Winston’s DNA.

In 1949, it became the first city in the country to establish an arts council as part of its local government. Since then, Winston has doubled down on its commitment to creatives—thanks in large part to the generosity of corporate sponsors like those listed above—and the city has reaped extraordinary cultural benefits as a result.

Home to Aperture Cinema, the Triad Stage, and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), among many other cutting-edge institutions and organizations, Winston has become the destination city in North Carolina’s Triad region for culture makers and appreciators.

With readings, performances, and exhibits happening almost every day of the week, there’s never a dull moment in the City of the Arts.

3. There are outstanding universities nearby

With Wake Forest outside of town, and Duke and Chapel Hill only an hour and a half away, your kids are certainly not going to want for a high-quality education.

The artistically inclined don’t have to travel far, either—the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) is situated in downtown Winston.

If your studious years are behind you, no matter. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy all that campus life has to offer.

From high-adrenaline sports rivalries (the yearly Duke/Chapel Hill basketball showdown is legendary among NCAA aficionados) to fascinating gallery exhibitions, public talks and lectures, institutions of higher education in the Triad offer enriching experiences for folks of all ages.

4. The quirky, old-world charm

Settled by German Protestants in the mid eighteenth century, Winston has retained much of its old-world Moravian culture.

Around Christmastime, you’re guaranteed to see the distinctive, multi-pointed Moravian stars hanging from streetlamps and above doorways around town.

Old Salem Historic District, the newly restored Moravian settlement around which contemporary Winston grew, is a major attraction for visitors interested in the area’s rich local history. As is God’s Acre, the traditional Moravian graveyard at the center of town that plays host to thousands of parishioners every year for the church’s customary sunrise services.

5. It’s got big-city amenities but a small-town price tag

With world-class medical centers at Wake Forest, Duke, and Chapel Hill, over forty delicious wineries in neighboring Yadkin County (which, reportedly, are giving Napa Valley winemakers a run for their money), and a majority of the Triad’s top-tier arts and cultural institutions situated downtown, Winston boasts all of the amenities and diversions we associate with big-city living minus the hefty price tag.