Greensboro, NC, is the perfect place for young professionals, families, and retirees looking to relocate to a city. The Gate City of Guilford County not only boasts low living costs but also hosts a wide range of attractions and a rich past that make it a historic home.
But North Carolina’s third-largest city isn’t the most well-known city, with lots of social media coverage. Are there entertainment options? How is the quality of life, economic opportunity, and average cost of living compared to larger cities? Is the Gate City’s subtropical climate an attractive option for those who need green spaces and mild climates?
This helpful city guide will cover exactly what to know before moving to Greensboro, NC. We’ll also reveal how Storage.com can help you move to North Carolina on the cheap.
So strap in, because today, we’re bringing you 9 things to know before moving to Greensboro, NC!
1. Greensboro, NC has an Affordable Cost of Living
One of the major things to know before moving to Greensboro, NC, is that it has a below-average cost of living, which means you don’t have to live in your van… unless of course, you want to.
Forbes reports that Greensboro, NC, is an affordable city, with a cost of living 6.9% below the national average. The average rent and median home cost are lower than neighboring cities, with Realtor.com reporting an average home price around $259,900.
And the unemployment rate is only 6.8%, thanks to affordable housing options and apartments for rent.
As in any city, access to housing opportunities and the job market affect the unemployment rate equally. While some of you may have a job lined up, others may need to start job hunting as soon as they arrive.
Luckily, Greensboro, NC, offers stable employment opportunities, with a number of Fortune 500 companies calling Greensboro home. UnitedHealth Group, FedEx, AT&T, and Procter & Gamble all have branches in this vibrant city, so there are plenty of opportunities for work.
So if major employment access and a range of housing options are variables for you, Greensboro NC is a good alternative to other major cities in North Carolina, such as Charlotte, Durham, or Raleigh.
2. Greensboro Boasts a Bustling Downtown Area
Next on our list of things to know before moving to Greensboro is about its bustling and bike friendly downtown area. Downtown Greensboro has everything you could possibly want in an urban space. You can explore from ample shopping options and art galleries to restaurants and breweries showcasing a stellar selection of Carolinian beers.
Antique lovers can check out one of the many vintage shops in proximity to downtown, such as Jules Antiques & Fine Art, The Farmer’s Wife Antiques, and Rhyne’s Corner Cupboard Antiques.
And 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’re into, this attractive city’s downtown district has a little something for everyone.
3. A City with Lots of History
Greensboro NC 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 students from North Carolina A&T State University, a historically black college.
These four brave black college students sat at Woolworth’s white-only lunch counter, sparking months of protests that eventually led to the desegregation of all Woolworth’s in the nation. 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. Convenient Location
One of the perks of living in Greensboro is its central location. Its no wonder its called Guilford County’s Gate City–Greensboro is close to almost every destination along the South Atlantic region.
Once you settle in and call Greensboro NC home, 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, Virginia, and Columbia, South Carolina, are only about three hours away, while Washington, D.C., and Atlanta are about four hours away.
If you’re into weekend getaways in outdoor spaces for 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 the Crystal Coast are about 200 miles away.
5. Affordable Family City with Awesome Adventures
If your family’s approach to education includes fun outings with educational opportunities, 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!
For other recreational activities that provide educational services, 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!
But it’s not just the young ones that Greensboro encourages continual learning with…
6. Greensboro has Accessible Education Institutions
One of the major things to know before moving to Greensboro NC is that it boasts a wide range of schools.
In addition to the Guilford County School systems various public schools and private schools, Greensboro NC is home to some historically significant universities. The range of education institutions in Greensboro gives people of all backgrounds a chance to get a higher education.
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.
UNCG was also 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.
Last but not least, Greensboro NC is home to the only Quaker-founded college in the Southeast U.S., Guilford College, the first coeducational college in the American South.
7. Active Arts Community and Thriving Athletic Venues
Next on our list of what to know before moving to Greensboro NC is the nightlife situation. You’ve got lots of entertainment options. Greensboro is more than just a fine arts scene. Sports-wise, you can catch a UNCG Men’s Basketball game or peep some classic cars at one of the many auto shows.
You can peruse the Super Flea Market for an affordable option, or head over to a music venue like the Greensboro Coliseum Complex to catch one of your favorite contemporary artists or bands.
But that’s not to say that Greensboro doesn’t have a thriving fine arts scene either. The Gate City hosts some historic art venues like the Carolina Theatre, which is home to the Greensboro Ballet, Greensboro Opera, and Community Theatre of Greensboro.
And for something a bit different, experience the delicious chef specialties and quirky performances at The Barn Dinner Theatre, the oldest continually-operating dinner theatre in the U.S.
8. Experience Nature in Greensboro’s Abundant Parks
Greensboro NC is a beautiful city, with lots of green spaces and its own gorgeous natural landscape. That said, one of the most important things to know before moving to Greensboro NC is that there are numerous parks within city limits where you can enjoy the outdoors.
The Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden hosts sculptures, gardens, and a woodland stream. 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 ripe with Southern charm, 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 plant life of the Greensboro Arboretum.
And don’t forget to check out Hanging Rock State Park, a massive tent and RV campground with a 20-mile hiking trail network. Hanging Rock State Park also boasts a fish-stocked lake that allows swimming, canoeing, and daytime family picnics.
9. Greensboro NC’s Flourishing City Market
Still wondering what to know before moving to Greensboro NC? Do you like the combination of music, food, and shopping?
Well, 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. This massive farmer’s market-style gathering brings together 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), the 17 Days arts and culture festival, and the Taste Carolina Wine Festival.
Things to Know Before Moving to Greensboro NC: Storage.com Can Help You Get There
So now you have a good idea of what to know before moving to Greensboro NC.
Whether you plan on relocating to The Gate City for the low cost of living, educational opportunities, natural beauty, rich history, thriving job market, or booming culture, we’ve got one more pro tip to share.
First, use our Storage.com storage unit locator tool to find the most affordable storage units in Greensboro NC. Our site lets you preset parameters that will limit the search results to your specific needs.
Maybe you want to find places close to a particular neighborhood with a low crime rate, or a unit with enhanced security features. Or maybe you need a climate-controlled storage unit to safeguard your valuables against the harsh desert climate.
Either way, we suggest you book yourself a storage unit that meets your requirements before the big move. Once you get to town, you can unload the moving truck into your storage unit and return it. Then, you can slowly bring your stuff into the house with your personal vehicle at your leisure.
In most cases, you can rent a month of storage for a lower price than it costs to extend your rental truck by a single day.
And if you don’t have a home picked out yet, you can throw your stuff in storage while you explore the neighborhoods and city parks and find the perfect accommodation for your new North Carolina lifestyle. 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.
