Peace Haven Winston-Salem, NC

The city of Winston-Salem grew from two distinct cultures: the Moravians, a religious sect from Eastern Europe who came to the region for its fertile soil, abundant water and temperate climate; and nearby tobacco and cotton farmers. Settling on about 100,000 acres that eventually became the city of Salem, the Moravians became skilled farmers and artisans, while those living next door in Winston developed tobacco and textile manufacturing plants. In 1913, the two cities decided to merge.

Nicknamed the City of Arts and Innovation, Winston-Salem was the first city in the US to form an arts council and has celebrated its artisan roots at the Piedmont Craftsman’s Fair each year since 1973. The Reynolda House, a museum located on the estate of tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds, houses hundreds of local artifacts and works by local artists. The museum also hosts educational events several times each year.

A small community in the suburbs, Peace Haven has limited choices for dining out. Fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A provide locals with a few options for a quick lunch or dinner with the kids, but for something a bit more upscale or trendy, you should head downtown.

For a taste of Southern comfort, check out Mozelle’s on the West End, where the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf can’t be beat. Unique appetizers such as fried pickles and southern spring rolls add a hint of whimsy to the menu, and everything served here looks and tastes superb. Small and inviting with a large outdoor patio, the restaurant pours imported wines by the bottle or glass as well as several imported beers.

For an ethnic meal, head to Mooney’s Mediterranean Café, winner of the local Readers’ Choice Best Vegetarian Restaurant Award in 2013. Try the traditional falafel, a croquette made with chick peas, fava beans, parsley and cilantro, or indulge your wilder side with some baba ghanouj -- spicy, smoky strips of eggplant served with garlic oil and exotic spices. Moderate prices and fast, friendly service make this small, downtown bistro a local favorite for lunch or a quick bite after work.

When you crave seafood, stop at Willow’s Bistro on Liberty Street. Great food and a warm, cozy atmosphere make this a perfect spot for date night, and the eclectic menu, which changes daily based on availability, features choices such as oven-seared tilefish with a crab mélange fondue, and pasta with sautéed shrimp and mussels in a spicy carbonara sauce. The full bar features a great selection of fine wines, beer, and craft cocktails.

The quiet neighborhood of Peace Haven provides little in the way of nightlife, but you can find plenty of fun if you head downtown. Nights in Winston-Salem can be anything you want them to be, from a quiet drink at the Old Winston Social Club to socializing at Tate’s Craft Cocktails, where fresh fruit, artisan spirits and a hefty dose of creativity make for some of the tastiest drinks in town. For live music and dancing, head to the Garage, a cool, graffiti-covered building in the downtown arts district. Then stop next door at Finnigan’s Wake Irish Pub or the Single Brothers for a quiet drink and a late-night snack.

Crisscrossed with freeways, Winston-Salem features several easily accessible routes in and out of downtown, so most people travel to work by car. The city sponsors nearly 7,000 public on-street and off-street metered parking spaces, so commuters generally can find a place to park.

In Peace Haven and other nearby neighborhoods, you need to drive or take public transit to get around rather than walking. Hailing a taxi in this area won't be easy, but you can call one to pick you up. Few bike lanes serve the city, but the city's many cyclists enjoy off-road biking at a number of nearby trails.

By car, travel to Winston-Salem from the north or south via US 52, then take Business 40 to Peace Haven Road. You also can access downtown and nearby communities via several bus routes provided by WSTA, or take the Amtrak motor coach that runs through the city of High Point into Winston-Salem several times each day. Uber doesn't provide service here.

With a temperate climate and lots of open space, Winston-Salem provides plenty of outdoor fun. A total of 60 parks dot the landscape here, so you can always find something for the family to enjoy. If you only have an hour to spend, stop by Peace Haven’s closest park, Leinbach Park, where you’ll find picnic tables, a volleyball court, a tennis court and a playground for the kids. During hot weather, try Bolton Park, a local swimming pool with an Olympic-sized tower, three diving boards, a concession stand and plenty of room for fun in the sun. Expect to pay a $3 admission fee for adults over 18 and $2 for children 2 to 18 years of age.

For a full day of family fun, check out Tanglewood Park, 1,100 acres of open space featuring swimming, tennis courts, fishing, pedal boats, an aquatic center, walking trails, biking, horse stables and golf. Parking costs $2 for the day, but all activities except golf and the swimming pool are free. The park also welcomes leashed dogs.

Washington Park and Horizon Park both feature separate areas for large and small dogs and have lots of room to run around. Like most parks in the Winston-Salem vicinity, admission and parking at these parks is free.

Winston-Salem features a number of great annual events, including the annual Emirates Airline U.S. Open tennis series, held every August at Wake Forest University. Regular celebrations of Winston-Salem’s thriving wine industry also take place annually, including the North Carolina Wine Festival, a feature of the Spring calendar here since 1999. Located at sunny Tanglewood Park, the all-day party includes wine tasting, arts, crafts, music and food.

The cost of living in Peace Haven and Winston-Salem sits slightly higher than the average for North Carolina, but still considerably lower than much of the US. Median rent averages $717 per month for a one bedroom apartment, although the Villas at Peace Haven, a local community of detached single-family rental homes, runs about $200 more per month. A gallon of gas costs about 2 percent more than the rest of the country, and a beer at a local tavern runs $2 to $3. The Winston Salem Transit Authority charges a base bus fare of $1 per trip with free transfers.

The community of Peace Haven features few options for shopping, but plenty of opportunities lie very close by. Start your shopping trip at a nearby mall, then travel into the city to find arts and crafts, trendy fashions, and antiques.

When shopping for the whole family, stop first at the Hanes Mall, where department stores such as Dillards, Macys, and Sears meet up with trendy favorites such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Aeropostale, and Sephora. Feel free to stop for a bite at T.G.I. Fridays or one of 13 other restaurants.

For unique finds in fashion, crafts and jewelry, no place beats the downtown arts district, where dozens of art galleries rub elbows with trendy boutiques. Stop in at Earthbound Arts, where owner-artists Gordon Jones and Lucy Duncan sell their original designs, including handcrafted herbal soaps, copper jewelry, hand-printed cards, herbal teas and much more. Next, check out Paz Boutique, a unisex yoga-wear shop. Finally, don’t miss Umoja African Crafts, which specializes in fair trade jewelry, handbags, and batiks.

Shopping for groceries and home goods? Residents can choose from Walmart, Target, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods Market, or Let It Grow Produce - which specializes in fresh, locally sourced baked goods, crafts, vegetables and fruits. You also have the option to support local farmers every Saturday morning at the Cobblestone Market in Old Salem, which features 100-percent locally sourced fresh produce, meat, eggs and dairy plus live music, espresso, and food booths.