Is Oak Crest safe?
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Oak Crest as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Oak Crest
“Go. Oak Crest is a quiet, established residential neighborhood that is generally safe for visitors and residents alike. While petty property crimes like opportunistic vehicle break-ins can occur along adjacent commercial thoroughfares, the residential streets maintain a calm, suburban atmosphere with low violent crime.”
About the area
Oak Crest is a pleasant, mature residential neighborhood in Winston-Salem situated near Wake Forest University and major transit corridors. It features tree-lined streets, mid-century ranch-style single-family homes, and convenient proximity to dining and retail options along University Parkway and North Cherry Street.
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined
- Mid-Century
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Oak Crest
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
While internal streets are pleasant for casual cycling, dedicated bike lanes are scarce; cyclists can access the nearby Silas Creek Greenway and Reynolda trail networks a short distance to the west.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower incidence of violent crime compared to the wider Winston-Salem municipal average
- Stable residential fabric with a strong base of long-term homeowners and well-kept properties
- Quick vehicular access to Wake Forest University, Reynolda Village, and downtown Winston-Salem
- Broad, low-traffic interior streets suitable for neighborhood walks and jogging
Cons
- Occasional property offenses such as vehicle break-ins along border corridors
- Limited pedestrian infrastructure, with missing sidewalks on several internal residential streets
- Car dependency for almost all daily errands, dining, and grocery needs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent within the interior residential blocks of Oak Crest, though individuals asking for assistance may occasionally be seen near commercial plazas along University Parkway.
What Oak Crest is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with dog walkers and joggers making frequent use of the quiet residential lanes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and low-key, with modest local traffic and residents tending yards or arriving home from work.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and secure, though dim street lighting requires a bit of caution when walking without sidewalks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very tranquil with minimal activity; remaining alert for normal suburban night safety is recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) operates bus routes along nearby perimeter corridors such as Route 87 along University Parkway, providing direct connections to the Clark Campbell Community Transportation Center downtown.
Street parking is free and readily available along residential roads without meters or permit restrictions, and most homes feature private driveways.
Things to do in Oak Crest
- Take a quiet morning stroll or jog under the mature tree canopy along the neighborhood's curving streets
- Visit the nearby historic Reynolda House Museum of American Art and its surrounding gardens just minutes west
- Explore the nearby outdoor trails and athletic facilities around Wake Forest University campus
Local favorites
- Village Juice & Kitchen · Health Food Restaurant · 4.6★ (430)Popular nearby spot offering cold-pressed juices, grain bowls, and healthy breakfast fare.
- Dough-Joe's Doughnuts & Coffee · Bakery & Cafe · 4.8★ (510)Beloved local shop serving made-to-order cake doughnuts and specialty coffee drinks.
- Waldo's Wings · Chicken Wings Restaurant · 4.4★ (380)Casual neighborhood staple known for crispy tossed wings, burgers, and comfort sides.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.