By Stephanie Hyland, Storage.com
Greensboro, N.C., is the perfect place for young professionals, families, and retirees looking to relocate to a city that not only has a low cost of living, but that also has a variety of attractions and historical significance. Here are nine things to know before making the move to “The Gate City.”
1. GREENSBORO WON’T BREAK YOUR BANK.
Greensboro’s cost of living is 6.9% below the national average with an unemployment rate of 6.8% and a median home price around $130,300. Also, a number of Fortune 500 companies call Greensboro home, like UnitedHealth Group, FedEx, AT&T, and Procter & Gamble. For anyone wanting to move to a city with good jobs and affordable housing, Greensboro is a good alternative to Charlotte, Durham, or Raleigh, N.C.
2. THE DOWNTOWN AREA IS THRIVING.
Downtown Greensboro has everything you could possibly want in an urban space, from retail shops and art galleries to restaurants and breweries. Antique lovers can check out one of the many vintage shops, such as Jules Antiques & Fine Art, The Farmer’s Wife Antiques, and Rhyne’s Corner Cupboard Antiques. Foodies, however, can have the world on their forks with all of the downtown eateries. Try the “new world” dishes at Table 16 or gourmet tacos at Crafted, The Art of the Taco. And don’t forget to grab a White Chocolate Raz cheesecake at Cheesecakes by Alex or a locally-brewed Guilty Party ESB at Gibb’s Hundred Brewing Company. No matter what you want to do, there’s a little something for everyone.
3. EXPLORE THE RICH HISTORY.
Greensboro has played a vital role in American history. Although many believe the city’s name comes from its vast landscape, it actually comes from General Nathanael Greene, who was responsible for leading American forces in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (the site of which is now Greensboro) during the Revolutionary War. Toward the end of the Civil War, Greensboro was the final place Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his entire government assembled before separating. The city was also the setting of The A&T Four sit-in staged by four North Carolina A&T State University students, who sat at the white-only lunch counter of Woolworth’s, sparking months of protests that eventually led to the desegregation of all Woolworth’s. Of course, you can learn all about Greensboro’s history and more when you visit The International Civil Rights Museum and the Greensboro Historical Museum.
4. CLOSE TO VACATION DESTINATIONS.
Living in Greensboro has its perks, and one of those perks is being close to almost every destination along the South Atlantic region. You’re only an hour and a half away from quick getaways in larger North Carolina cities like Charlotte or Raleigh. If you enjoy road trips, Richmond, Va., and Columbia, S.C., are about three hours away while Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Ga., are about four hours away. If you’re into hiking and camping, Uwharrie National Forest and Pisgah National Forest are nearby, too. And if you want to take in some sun on the beach, Wrightsville Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Crystal Coast are about 200 miles away.
5. AWESOME ADVENTURES FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES.
If you and your family like the animal kingdom, you’ll love the Greensboro Science Center. This nonprofit organization has a 12-acre zoo, aquarium, and an “omnisphere” theater (which combines planetarium and 3-D shows). You can even get an up-close encounter with a roaring 36-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex model in the Science Center’s museum! Also, check out the Greensboro Children’s Museum, where kids can play in their own mini town, complete with a train depot, city market, media room, construction zone, pizza place, and more! Kids can even attend lock-ins, summer camps, and field trips at the Children’s Museum!
6. ATTEND COLLEGE IN GREENSBORO.
Greensboro is home to several universities, so the chance to get a higher education is definitely within reach. University of North Carolina-Greensboro is part of the UNC system and enrolls more than 18,000 students each in year programs like theatre, nursing, education, nanoengineering, and business. Also, UNCG was named “Military Friendly” for the fourth year in a row, making it a great place for veterans who want to attend school after military retirement. Other notable colleges in the area include agriculture and tech-centered North Carolina A&T State University, liberal arts-focused Greensboro College, Elon University School of Law, and the only Quaker-founded college in the Southeast U.S., Guilford College.
7. SPORTS? THEATRE? CONCERTS? GREENSBORO HAS IT.
Looking for a night out in Greensboro? Whether it’s catching a UNCG Men’s Basketball game, checking out classic cars at one of the many auto shows, attending the Super Flea Market, or watching a concert featuring your favorite contemporary artists and bands, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex will more than likely have it. For something more along the lines of fine arts, there’s the historic Carolina Theatre, which is home to the Greensboro Ballet, Greensboro Opera, and Community Theatre of Greensboro. Of course, you can’t miss out on the delicious chef specialties and quirky performances at The Barn Dinner Theatre, the oldest continually-operating dinner theatre in the U.S.
8. AU NATURALE.
Greensboro has a beautiful landscape as it is, but there are several places around the city where you can truly enjoy everything the outdoors has to offer. The Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden is one such place. With sculptures, gardens, and a woodland stream, it’s the perfect place to feel at one with nature. The elevated boardwalk in the wetlands of Bog Garden at Benjamin Park is another place you’ll want to explore, as it features waterfalls, trails, and plenty of birdwatching chances. For more historical outdoor adventures, be sure to stop by Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, where the Battle of Guilford Courthouse took place. Or perhaps take in the gorgeous landscape and unique plantlife of Greensboro Arboretum.
9. LOCAL MARKETS & FESTIVALS.
Who doesn’t like live music, food, and shopping? Between April and November on the third Thursday of each month, North Carolina’s Piedmont triad (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point) comes together to host The City Market with fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and performances from local bands. It’s a great opportunity to get out and meet new people! And don’t forget the FunFourth Festival in July! This Independence Day event has been in place since 1975 and offers block parties and a fireworks show. Other festivals you’ll want to check out include the Carolina Blues Festival (the longest running blues festival in the Southeast), arts and culture festival 17 Days, and the Taste Carolina Wine Festival.
What did we miss that you would add about Greensboro? Tell us in the comments!
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If you’re relocating to Greensboro and need storage space to help with the transition, view Storage.com’s directory of storage units in Greensboro, North Carolina.
All images have either been provided by a listed organization or are licensed under the Creative Commons
