Unpopular opinion about Winston-Salem

Owen Turner Apr 9, 2026

Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Highland for 13 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
government is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is improving - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Homeless population growing downtown. And traffic can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.

26 upvotes