Where to Live in
High Point

2026 Neighborhood Shortlist: High Point, NC

The old High Point map is dead. For decades, the city was a simple equation: furniture factories downtown, and everything else spread out along N Main St and S Main St. That’s over. The real story of 2026 is the Uptown creeping north toward Fisher Park and the explosion of development in the Emerywood/Fairfax corridor. Gentrification isn't a rumor anymore; it's a zoning map. The line is drawn along Washington Street, pushing east into Westchester and stalling out near the Keystone industrial zone. If you’re looking for a quiet, undisturbed slice of the old city, you missed it. The smart money is buying the pockets of transition before the prices catch up to the hype.

The 2026 Neighborhood Shortlist

Emerywood / Fairfax

• The Vibe: Old Money / Brutalist Charm
• Rent Check: High. Expect $1450+ for a decent 1BR; home prices are easily $450k+.
• The Good: This is the most walkable pocket in the city, full stop. You’re a 5-minute walk from Maggie’s Pub for a cheap beer and a burger, or The Bunker for a proper cocktail. The Emerywood Park greenway connects you to everything without touching Main Street. The architecture here is legit—mid-century brick and heavy concrete that’s been maintained. It feels solid.
• The Bad: It’s expensive, and the inventory moves before it hits Zillow. Street parking is a nightmare on Broad Avenue during the High Point Market. You are paying for the zip code, and the taxes reflect it.
• Best For: Established professionals who want to walk to dinner and leave their car parked for the week.
• Insider Tip: Walk the block of N. Wrenn Street between Broad Ave and Chesterfield Dr. That’s the architectural sweet spot.

Westchester

• The Vibe: Gentrifying Edge
• Rent Check: Just above average. $1100-$1200.
• The Good: This is where the 2026 shift is happening. You get bigger lots and actual driveways, something Emerywood can't offer. It’s close enough to the HPCA (High Point Community Association) amenities without the HOA headaches. You’re a quick drive to The Coffee Shop on N. Main for breakfast. The proximity to Washington Street is making this area turn fast.
• The Bad: It’s block-by-block. One street is renovated Victorians; the next is still rough. Crime is dropping but hasn't vanished. You need to be smart about where you park. Noise from N. Main St bleeds in closer to the intersection of Chesterfield Dr.
• Best For: Buyers who want to get in before the wave hits fully. Renters who want a house with a yard without the Emerywood price tag.
• Insider Tip: Check out the corner of W. Lexington Ave and N. Hamilton St. The transformation there in the last 18 months is the barometer for the whole neighborhood.

Uptown / Downtown Core

• The Vibe: Urban Revitalization
• Rent Check: Rising. $1200-$1300.
• The Good: If you want to be where the action is, this is it. The Point complex brought density and new retail. You’re walking to Brown’s Coffee or catching a show at the High Point Theatre. The Greenway runs right through the heart of it, perfect for runners. The International Home Furnishings Center is your backyard, which means the streets are clean and patrolled.
• The Bad: It’s a "dead zone" after 7 PM on Sundays. If you aren't near Centennial Station, it gets quiet fast. Traffic during Market weeks is gridlock; do not attempt to drive Main Street during the day. You hear the train horns constantly.
• Best For: Young professionals who work downtown and want a short commute. People who prioritize walkability over square footage.
• Insider Tip: Look for apartments on S. Hamilton St. It’s quieter than Main St but you can still walk to The Shank for live music.

Fisher Park

• The Vibe: Quiet / Traditional
• Rent Check: Average. $1000-$1100.
• The Good: This is the sleeper hit for 2026. Centered around the actual Fisher Park (tennis courts, pool, big playground), it feels like a suburb inside the city. It’s incredibly family-friendly and safe. You’re near Kermit’s Kitchen for reliable diner food and The Ohana for a slightly nicer date night. The homes are classic 1960s/70s brick ranches with basements.
• The Bad: Walkability is a 1/10. You are driving for coffee, groceries, and everything else. It’s a car-dependent zone. The style is strictly utilitarian; don't move here if you want historic charm.
• Best For: Families with kids who need a fenced yard and access to the HP Parks & Rec facilities.
• Insider Tip: The streets off N. Main St near Fisher Park (like Parkway Dr) offer the best balance of access and quiet.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Stick to Fisher Park. The yards are deep, the crime is low, and you’re zoned for Parkview Village Elementary, which holds its weight. Westchester is a distant second if you can find a renovated home with a fenced lot near Westchester Park.
• For Wall St / Tech: Emerywood is your winner. The commute to the PTI Airport corporate corridor is 15 minutes against traffic. The networking happens at Maggie’s Pub. If you want something newer, look at the luxury builds popping up near The Point in Uptown.
• The Value Play: Westchester. Specifically, the blocks west of N. Hamilton St but east of S. Main St. Buy here now. The renovation permits are stacking up. The appreciation ceiling is highest here compared to the fully priced-out Emerywood. Look for the 1950s brick bungalows that haven't been touched since 1980.