If you've ever wondered what it's actually like to live in downtown Winston-Salem, I'm taking you along on a tour of two homes currently for sale — one condo and one townhouse — so you can see real square footage, real price points, and real HOA fees. Downtown Winston-Salem has a genuinely artsy, eclectic energy, and these two properties show two very different ways to plant yourself right in the middle of it.
Getting Your Bearings: Where Is "Downtown" Winston-Salem?
Before we dive into the homes, it helps to know exactly where downtown sits on the map. Downtown Winston-Salem is bordered by:
Highway 52 to the east
Broad Street running along the west side
Business 40 / Business 421 (Salem Parkway) to the south
Downtown isn't one single neighborhood — it's really a collection of smaller pockets and areas that together make up the greater downtown district.
Why People Love Living Downtown
Downtown Winston-Salem has a lot going on: restaurants, boutiques, and a strong arts scene (Winston-Salem is often called the City of Arts for good reason). It's one of the more walkable areas in the Triad, though it's worth noting the lifestyle here is walkable, not car-free — you'll still want a car for grocery runs and most medical appointments.
For this tour, I looked at:
A 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo — 750 square feet, built in 1999
A 3-bedroom, 2-bath townhouse — about 1,900 square feet, spread across three floors
Home #1: The Fourth Street Condo
This condo sits on Fourth Street on the fifth floor of its building, and it's a great example of an accessible entry point into downtown living.
Location & commute:
Minutes from Truist Stadium — an easy walk if you like catching a Winston-Salem Dash game
A few minutes from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and nearby hospital campuses, making it a strong option if you work in healthcare
About 10–11 minutes from Wake Forest University
Walking distance to several restaurants, including the Filling Station and West End Cafe, plus newer restaurants that have recently opened across the street
The details:
750 square feet | 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Built in 1999, relatively updated and move-in ready
Fifth-floor unit with elevator access
Private parking underneath the building
Cute private balcony/terrace
HOA: approximately $256/month
Listed at $238,000
This one is a great fit if you want a low-maintenance, well-located entry point into downtown living without a huge price tag.
Home #2: The End-Unit Townhouse
About a block away from the condo, this end-unit townhouse offers a lot more space and an even closer walk to the ballpark.
Location & commute:
About a block and a half from Truist Stadium
Roughly a block from Foothills Brewing and more of downtown's restaurant and nightlife scene
Same walkable downtown location, just a slightly different pocket of the district
The details:
Approximately 1,900 square feet across three floors
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
First floor: two bedrooms
Second (middle) floor: main living area with kitchen and living room
Third floor: private primary suite with en-suite bath and its own private balcony
Large windows throughout that bring in a lot of natural light
Updated and move-in ready
HOA: approximately $407/month, which covers exterior maintenance, master insurance on the building, and landscaping
Listed at $425,000
This layout is ideal if you want more room to spread out, plus a primary suite that feels like its own private retreat on the top floor.
What Do the HOA Fees Actually Cover?
Downtown condos and townhouses in this area typically don't come with a long list of amenities — you won't find a pool or clubhouse here. Instead, HOA fees generally cover:
Exterior building maintenance
Master insurance on the building/units
Landscaping and grounds upkeep
That's part of why these fees run lower than what you'd see in an amenity-heavy suburban community, even in a walkable urban location.
Is Downtown Winston-Salem Right for You?
Both of these homes are just minutes from Truist Stadium and give you a genuinely walkable lifestyle — restaurants, breweries, and boutiques all within reach on foot. If you're drawn to an artsy, active, in-the-middle-of-it-all setting and don't mind still keeping a car for grocery trips and medical appointments, downtown Winston-Salem is worth a serious look. Whether you're after a low-maintenance condo in the $200s or more space and a private primary suite in the $400s, there's a real range of options right in the heart of downtown.
Have questions or want to talk through your options? 📅 Schedule a Zoom with me: https://calendly.com/karie-kariecarico/30min
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Karie Carico, REALTOR® | Keller Williams Realty Elite
