Thanks to the efforts of numerous organizations, the city center is attracting young professionals, families, and retirees who desire housing within walking distance of work, entertainment venues, and eateries. In Winston-Salem, downtown residents are bucking national trends of suburban flight and returning to the city center to live.

A distinguishing characteristic of Winston-Salem is its commitment to the development of downtown housing options. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings has resulted in dramatic rehabbed space with incredible views of the city. Buildings that once held tobacco and textile manufacturers are being converted into apartments and condominiums. And an 18-story historic office building will soon house 145 luxury apartments. New residential development in the downtown area is also booming, and construction can be spotted throughout the city center.

Downtown residents not only have affordable housing options, they are also surrounded by countless entertainment opportunities. With a new variety of outdoor dining and entertainment venues, the public realm once filled with moving cars is now occupied by people sitting at bistro tables sharing coffee and enjoying one of America's first free wi-fi, (wireless internet) services in an outdoor public right-of-way.