Winston-salem : North carolina

What Winston-Salem is like for active adults
Winston-Salem, North Carolina is an intriguing name for a city. It was named to a list of the “Top 10 Value Towns for Retirees in 2007”. Two of the world’s top-selling cigarettes are eponymous with this popular retirement community. RJ Reynolds started his tobacco business here in 1874. Salem was founded first - it was settled to be a Moravian (German) religious settlement in 1753. Old Salem has a historic center with many restored buildings. Nearby Winston was founded in 1849. The cities were joined later to become one community in Forsyth County. Located near the center of North Carolina’s northern border, the population is now 218,000. The metro area has over 450,000 people.

Winston-Salem is often referred to as the Twin City.  Active adults 55+ in retirement here will find plenty to do. The Hanes Mall is the largest shopping mall in North Carolina. The cultural scene is rich with many theaters and museums. According to the Visitors Center there is live music, vintage films, avant-garde dance, classic plays, museum visits, and wine tours. The wineries are in the nearby Yadkin Valley. Golf Digest named the Triad the best big city for golf in America in a survey of 330 cities. There is a plethora of public golf courses – two of the most distinguished are Tanglewood Park and Salem Glen – both are home to big tournaments. There are also many parks in the city.

Where to Live
The area has a range of retirement communities for active adults 55+. Retirees will find every kind of housing choice – from dedicated retirement communities to all types of housing in the city’s neighborhoods. From apartments to condos to houses, the area offers a wide variety of choices and affordable prices.

Real Estate Prices
The late 2009 Zillow Home Value Index was $120,400.

Find profiles on 450 top retirement towns and communities
Picture of home in Old Salem courtesy of Wikipedia and Akhenaton06.
Edit  |  History
What is special about this retirement community
• Old Salem (colonial site) • Historic Bethabara Park. • Wachovia Center (Skyscraper) • The Home Moravian Church - the largest Moravian parish in the country. • Moravian graveyard, "God's Acre" • Bell and Sons cafeteria • Reynolda Gardens • Reynolda House Museum of American Art
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What is not special about this retirement community
Development is proceeding very quickly with attendant traffic. Some young professionals say there is not enough to do in the Twin Cities. There is crime in W-S
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What kinds of people like retiring here
Active adults 55+ live here who like being in a vibrant city with an active downtown. The area is a golfer’s paradise. Use this link for an explanation of the types of retirement communities.
Edit  |  History
Local economy is driven by
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is the largest employer in Winston-Salem. RJR is headquartered in the city. Dell Computer has a manufacturing plant here. For Winston-Salem Craigslist.
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Climate and Physical Environment
Winston-Salem is near North Carolina’s northern border towards its western edge. The city is large, about 110 square miles. The  area  has  a  temperate climate compared to the northeast - average high in July is 89 and January average low is 29. Rainiest month is March.View Google Map for Winston-Salem For information on retire in NC
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Cultural environment
The Old Salem district and Historic Bethabara site provide historical attractions. Other sites include Reynolda Village (Reynolda Gardens and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art), the Horne Creek Historic Farm, and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art. Universities located in Winston-Salem include: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina School of the Arts, and Salem College. Winston-Salem is often called the "City of the Arts," it had the first arts council in the United States. The North Carolina School of the Arts and the Piedmont Opera Theatre.
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Medical facilities
Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Medical Park Hospital, North Carolina Baptist Hospital
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Transportation
Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport is 23 miles away
Edit  |  History
 
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Facts about WINSTON-SALEM
  • State: NC
  • Environment: Urban,Suburban,College Town,
  • City Population: 100,001+
  • Median age of Population: 25-44
  • Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
  • Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
  • Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
  • Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
  • Total Crime Index: 121+ (very high)
  • Cost of Living Index: 81-90 (low)
  • Culture Index: 111-120 (high)
  • State Sales Tax: Yes
  • State Income Tax: Yes
  • Name of the Guide: bob

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1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 3.4/5 ( 20 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 2.1/5 ( 14 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 1.9/5 ( 14 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 10 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 4.3/5 ( 8 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 3.8/5 ( 8 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 2.9/5 ( 23 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 4.1/5 ( 10 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 2.9/5 ( 8 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
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10. Rating: 3.3/5 ( 11 votes cast)