Are you thinking about moving to Greensboro? With its affordable living, booming arts scene, mild weather, Southern hospitality, and incredible local restaurants, this North Carolina city offers something for everyone. Here are 13 things you need to know about living in Greensboro!
It’s the Gate to North Carolina
Photo via @ginaelizabethfranco
Greensboro earned “The Gate City” nickname in the late 1800s, when it was one of the main railway hubs and transportation centers in the South. Trains may no longer be the primary means of transportation, but in many ways the name still applies. Greensboro lies in the middle of North Carolina, allowing quick access to the rest of the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem and High Point), as well as the Research Triangle (Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill). It’s also home to Piedmont Triad International Airport, so many visitors’ introduction to the Tar Heel State is in Greensboro.
Find Affordable Living in a Well-Run City
Photo via @chuckjohnson
If you’re looking for a place to experience classic Southern charm without breaking the bank, Greensboro might be perfect for you! The city’s real estate prices and cost of living are below both state and national averages. Plus, Greensboro’s temperate weather and abundance of free outdoor parks, trails, and lakes make it a great place for budget-friendly fun. Of course, less expensive living doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing quality in Greensboro. In fact, it’s recognized as one of the best-run cities in America! The city prioritizes the environment and was one of the first 15 participants in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Program—not to mention, Greensboro’s green spaces and wide use of solar panels make it one of the nation’s leaders in clean energy!
Greensboro Has a Growing Job Market
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Forbes ranked Greensboro as one of America’s top up-and-coming cities for jobs! The city is adding jobs at a higher rate than the rest of North Carolina—and even the country as a whole—which means there are abundant job opportunities waiting for you. The Gate City is headquarters to several nationally-known companies, most notably Wrangler, Mack Trucks, and The Fresh Market. Other top employers in Greensboro include VF Corporation, Qorvo, Guilford County Schools, and The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital.
Further Your Education
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If you want to attend college in Greensboro, you have all kind of options! The city is home to five colleges and universities, and several others are within close proximity. Choose from more than 100 undergraduate programs at University of North Carolina Greensboro. Get your degree in engineering, agriculture, or public accounting at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Or study liberal arts at Bennett College, one of America’s two historically all-Black women’s colleges. Whichever you choose, Greensboro provides free public transportation for students via the Higher Education Area Transit (HEAT) program. And if you or someone in your family is looking for a larger school nearby, Duke University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest University are each within an hour’s drive of Greensboro.
You’ll Experience All Four Seasons
Photo via @gsoparksandrec
Want to live somewhere with a comfortable climate? Greensboro doesn’t experience the extreme highs and lows of other locales, so the local climate tends to be relatively mild. Summer temperatures in Greensboro are warm but rarely rise above 90 degrees, while winters usually bring temperatures in the 30s and 40s with very little snow. You will want to pack a few umbrellas, though, when you move to Greensboro, as the city receives 45 inches of rain per year and experiences frequent thunderstorms!
Get Outdoors & Enjoy the Greensboro Weather
Photo via @jebbrooks
Whether you want to spend some time outdoors to socialize, exercise, or just relax, Greensboro has a park, lake, or trail for you! Attend a cocktail hour, play ping pong and foosball, or dance in the interactive fountains at LeBauer Park & City Center Park. Host a party among the streams, gazebos, and Sensory Garden at Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden. Weave through residential areas, forests, and parks as you go for a run on one of Greensboro’s greenways. Fish for largemouth bass, rent a stand-up paddle board, or go kayaking at Lake Brandt. Refresh your mind with a stroll through the display gardens and plant collections at Greensboro Arboretum.
Visit a Major Civil Rights Landmark
Photo via @tomreeder46
On February 1, 1960, four Black students from North Carolina A&T State College sat down at a “whites only” counter in the Woolworth restaurant, where they were denied service but remained until closing. This sit-in by the A&T Four sparked a movement in the city and the nation, as peaceful demonstrations occurred in more than 250 cities across America. These actions led to the passing of the 1960 Civil Rights Bill and represented a significant turning point in American history. You can visit the birthplace of the movement at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, which features a preserved section of the Woolworth counter along with exhibits depicting what life was like for Black Americans at the time and the significance of the A&T Four’s actions.
Spend a Day at Greensboro Science Center
Photo via @greensborosciencecenter
Part zoo, part theater, part aquarium, and part safari park, the Greensboro Science Center is a Greensboro attraction that’ll have you coming back time and time again! See animals of all kinds from Sumatran tigers to Komodo dragons, Nile crocodiles, and black howler monkeys at Zoo Trek. Traverse challenging treetop obstacle courses at SKYWILD. Feed the fish from atop the Shark Reef at Aquarium Adventure. Get up close and personal with adorable African penguins at Penguin Encounters. Or become immersed in documentaries and nature shows on the 40-foot domed ceiling of The OmniSphere Theater.
Embrace the Arts Scene
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The people of Greensboro seriously enjoy the arts. In fact, several of the best things to do in The Gate City involve the stage or artwork! See live productions of works like Dracula and Pride & Prejudice at The Pyrle Theater, part of the award-winning regional theater Triad Stage. Practice sketch comedy or participate in improv workshops at The North Carolina Comedy Festival. Check out one of the largest collections of contemporary and modern art in Southeast America at Weatherspoon Art Museum. Enroll in a comedy workshop, peruse the gallery of local artwork, or stop in for a one-act play at Greensboro Cultural Center. Take part in one of Greensboro’s top events each October by enjoying the concerts, theatre performances, and craft beer stands at 17DAYS Arts & Culture Festival. Stomp your feat to beats created by global artists and American roots performers at NC Folk Festival. Or appreciate Greensboro’s artistic talent by walking around town, where you’ll see dozens of massive, eye-catching murals that take up entire building walls—all painted by volunteers and citizens as part of the Greensboro Mural Project.
It’s a Great Place for Sports Fans
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You might not immediately think of Greensboro as a sports town, but there are plenty of events throughout the year to keep your inner sports fan satisfied! Visit Greensboro Coliseum Complex to tour the ACC Hall of Champions and see games during ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament and Men’s NCAA Tournament. Root on the best golfers in the world as they compete at the Wyndham Championship. Admire the poise and grace of the contestants during the years when Greensboro hosts the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Appreciate America’s pastime and cheer for the Greensboro Grasshoppers (MiLB) at First National Bank Field. Get a first look at future NBA stars while attending a Greensboro Swarm (NBA G League) basketball game. Or watch with awe as competitors race around the arena at Greensboro Roller Derby.
There’s Plenty for the Kids to Do
Photo via @crazysweetchaos
Have little ones to entertain? No problem! There are all kinds of fun things to do in Greensboro with kids! Sing along with live performers and explore Downtown Greensboro’s shops, art galleries, and studios each month at First Friday. Drive bumper cars, ride ziplines, race through inflatable obstacle courses, and play arcade games at Safari Nation. Get behind the wheel of a real police car and practice running a pizza shop at Greensboro Children’s Museum. Spend the afternoon alternating between rounds of laser tag and mini golf at Celebration Station Greensboro. Experience what it would be like to pilot a classic war plane in the flight simulator at The Wright Stuff. Or cool off in the wave pool or test your wits on one of several daring water slides at Wet’n Wild Emerald Point, one of Greensboro’s best water parks.
Get Your Fill at Greensboro’s Top Restaurants
Photo via @plazoo_bbq
Greensboro’s restaurants are diverse and able to satiate any cravings! Get your breakfast fix with a Three Little Pigs Omelet or The Royale Benedict at Scrambled. Share an order of Dirty South Nachos with tacos like the Wayfarer, Bowtie, or Big Truck at Crafted the Art of the Taco. Gather some friends and chow down on pizzas like the A Kiss Before I Go or the Sweet Carolina at Sticks & Stones Clay Oven Pizza. Wash down a French Onion Burger or Cuban Cow Burger with a cold brew at Hops Burger Bar. Sit down and experience Greensboro fine dining with Crab Fondue and Garlic Shrimp Risotto at Print Works Bistro. Satisfy your sweet tooth with Chocolate, Banana, or Oreo ice cream at Yum Yum Better Ice Cream & Hotdogs, a Greensboro staple for more than 100 years. Or grab a Wildflower Witbier or Southern Session IPA to pair with your Elm Street Philly at Greensboro’s most-visited brewery, Natty Greene’s Brewing Company.
Have Some Fun After the Sun Goes Down
Photo via @go.greensboro
With bars, lounges, and clubs throughout the city, Greensboro’s nightlife will keep you entertained! Dance the night away with live DJs and upbeat R&B music at Boston’s House of Jazz. Play air hockey, pinball, and classic arcade games like Centipede and Galaga while drinking a Carolina Shamrock Ale at Boxcar Bar + Arcade. Sample multiple whiskeys with flights like A Flight to Ireland or Around the World in Three Whiskies at Dram & Draught. Belt out your favorite tunes during Karaoke Night at Grey’s Tavern. Laugh along with the audience during improv shows or try your hand at stand-up comedy during Open Mic Thursdays at The Idiot Box Comedy Club. Take a turn on the mechanical bull while enjoying country music and line dancing at Arizona Pete’s. Or reminisce about your college days with a cheap drink at College Hill Sundries, a popular dive bar for Greensboro’s college students and alumni alike.
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