Moving to Greensboro NC: 3 Tips to Get to Know the City

Recently North Carolina has become a desirable destination for movers – the state offers a unique combination of affordability, an abundance of well-paying jobs, and the amenities and opportunities so often associated with thriving and growing communities.  Add to this North Carolina’s favorable climate, and it is easy to see how the state has become a haven to North Eastern transplants looking to escape the harsher climate of the North, and settle in an area ripe with opportunity. Most readers will be familiar with the “premier” cities of North Carolina, Charlotte and Raleigh, but that is not to say North Carolina’s other cities should be dismissed. Indeed, Greensboro offers all of the features previously mentioned; however, it distinguishes itself from Charlotte and Raleigh with a much lower cost of living. Putting it simply; Greensboro offers the big city feel of Raleigh or Charlotte at a much more affordable price, and there is a reason so many new movers are now considering moving to Greensboro this year. 

Considering moving to Greensboro this summer? Read our definitive city-guide, and learn why you should consider The Gate City as your new home this year. Read more below!

Discover the Opportunity – Explore a Thriving Economy!

Population: 296,710

Average Home Value: $189,612

Average Annual Salary: $60,000

As previously noted, Greensboro offers the allure of a thriving and prosperous job market, a concept Forbes helped to highlight in their annual list of the top 10 cities for future job growth in 2020. Greensboro’s recent report on growth and development trends in 2021 helps to further reinforce this concept – despite the pandemic, both median earnings and median home value in Greensboro have continued to steadily improve since 2010, and recent job growth is up 17% with significant increases in Education, Health, and Social Assistance jobs.

Economically, Greensboro and the and the surrounding Piedmont Triad area have traditionally been centered around textiles, tobacco, and furniture, an economic background that reflects North Carolina’s rich history of cotton and tobacco agriculture. Additionally, the city’s central proximity in the state has been instrumental to the city’s overall development. Indeed, Greensboro, and the neighboring Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTO), are seen as a logistics hubs that bridge Charlotte to Raleigh. Fittingly, FedEx runs their regional operations center out of the city and is subsequently responsible for a large portion of Greensboro’s employment. 

Recently, taking inspiration from Raleigh and Charlotte’s economic success, the city has sought to reposition itself economically, with city leaders working to attract new businesses in the nanotech, high-tech, aviation and transportation/logistics sectors. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University have both been instrumental in this effort. Together, the two schools founded the Gateway Research Park in 2003, a research park comprised of two 75-acre campuses that house the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, as well as various research labs, technical facilities, and other private med-tech facilities.

Greensboro’s economy ultimately serves as an excellent example of the allure of the Carolina area—the city continues to flourish with a thriving and growing job economy, and city planners look to embrace emerging technologies and industries in an effort to secure future economic growth. Considering moving to Greensboro, NC, this year? Feel secure in your choice of this city’s robust job market. 

Discover the Cuisine – Explore Greensboro’s History of Barbeque!

Greensboro’s cuisine is a reflection of the Southern region within which it resides, and as such, many restaurants within the area boast menu’s with an abundance of Southern comfort food classics. Notably, barbeque dominates the area’s culinary landscape—largely due to North Carolina’s influence as one of the original pioneers of barbeque within the U.S.

The founding principle of Carolina-style BBQ is the “whole hog” approach—a pitmaster cooks an entire hog over a wood-fired pit, and meat is selected from the three main sources of meat on the hog (the shoulder, the neck, and the belly). The meat is slow roasted over a period of 12 to 24 hours to ensure tenderness, typically over a hardwood such as hickory, oak, or mesquite. The hog itself is typically prepared in one of two regional barbeque styles, Eastern or Western style barbeque. Eastern-style NC barbeque is known for its vinegar base and peppery bite, characteristics that make it lighter—and spicier—than its Western counterpart. In contrast, Western-style NC barbeque, often called “Lexington style” barbeque, uses a red sauce, or “dip,” made from vinegar, tomatoes (or ketchup), and red pepper flakes. The debate as to which style reigns supreme is highly contested with both sides claiming superiority on their end. Sample both styles and choose a side for yourself!

Carolina barbeque might be a signature of the Greensboro area, but that is not to say the city’s food scene is devoid of variety. We’ve listed a number of our favorites—both barbeque and other standouts—below:

  • Country-BBQ – Previously voted “Best Ribs in the Triad,” and a runner-up “Best BBQ Restaurant” by Yes! Weekly Magazine, Country BBQ began in 1975 in High Point, NC, and has since expanded to add a second location in Greensboro off of Wendover Avenue. In particular the restaurant specializes in Lexington style BBQ. Be sure to try their ribs!
  • Stamey’s Barbeque – A regional favorite for nearly 100 years, Stamey’s is well known for its “Lexington style” barbeque cooked exclusively over hardwood hickory coals, and for their secret barbecue sauce or “dip” slathered throughout. 
  • Gia – Gia boasts that its Greensboro’s most visible speak-easy, a concept explored through the restaurant’s rotating seasonal menus, bourbon and scotch clubs, and abundance of specialty cocktails. 
  • Print Works Bistro – Located adjacent to Proximity Hotel, this employee-owned establishment features classical and modern versions of French bistro dishes created with locally sourced food. Additionally, the restaurant offers an impressive and extensive wine list of over 75 wines.
  • Hops Burger Bar – A craft burger joint with a relaxed environment and friendly service, this restaurant features 17 continually rotating taps showcasing local craft beer. 

As previously mentioned, Greensboro is a thriving and growing city with much to offer, and its food scene is a reflection of this concept offering an abundance of spectacular dining options fit to meet any foodie’s standards. Be sure to use our guide and stop in at one of our favorites if you are considering moving to Greensboro, NC, this year!

Discover the Attractions – Explore the Greensboro Science Center and More!

The Greensboro Science Center

Formerly known as the Natural Science Center of Greensboro and founded in 1957, the Greensboro Science Center is the perfect family friendly activity. It features a museum and indoor aquarium that includes stingrays, penguins, sharks and more; but it is primarily known for its signature Animal Discovery Zoological Park. Designed to showcase the “Science of Survival,” the sprawling outdoor section showcases red pandas, tigers, black howler monkeys, and Nile crocodiles. It is also home to the Friendly Farm (a petting zoo for kids), Kavanagh Discover House, and Davis Kelly Fountain of Youth and Discovery. 

Moving forward, the Greensboro Science Center has recently secured a $20 million bond referendum from the city, and subsequently plans are in place to provide future renovations to the center. Phase 3 of the plan is particularly exciting, and will include the addition of new animals such as Pygmy hippos, Cassowary and Red Pandas in a new exhibit called the “Endangered Species Village.” Be sure to plan your weekend visit this summer!

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum

Beyond the science center, Greensboro is fittingly home to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum (or ICRCM), an attraction that reflects Greensboro’s historical background and prominence during the civil rights movement. The building formerly housed the Woolworth’s, a site of numerous non-violent protests throughout the civil rights movement. Here, four students from nearby NC A&T started the Greensboro sit-ins at a “whites only” lunch counter in 1960 in a non-violent protest that was to build and continue throughout much of the civil rights movement. The museum ultimately seeks to ensure that history remembers the actions of the A&T Four, and others from around the country who took place in sit-ins during the civil rights movement. 

This iconic landmark acts as a comprehensive Civil Rights museum that seeks to promote social justice education and the advancement of civil and human rights. The layout is comprised of 35,000 square feet of exhibit space that features original artifacts of the civil rights era, and numerous interactive exhibits; however, the star of the museum is undoubtedly the iconic lunch counter, the very same space where the A&T Four first began their protest in 1960. Both guided and unguided tours are available at the museum. 

The Weatherspoon Art Museum

We’ve emphasized the influence of the city’s universities on the community, and this notion is further exemplified by the presence of the Weatherspoon Art Museum, a museum of modern and contemporary art located at UNCG. First founded in 1941 by Gregory Ivy, first head of the Art Department at UNCG, this museum is one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the southeast with a focus on American art. Close to 6,000 artworks reside at the museum – collection highlights include:

  • Dillard Collection of Art on Paper – An exhibition that features regional, national, and international artists who have produced significant works made on or of paper. Notable artists include Louis Bourgeois, Brice Marden, Joan Mitchell, and Amy Cutler. 
  • Etta and Claribel Cone Collection – A collection consisting of 242 works of art from the Cone sisters that were gifted to the museum in 1965. The collection features prints and bronzes, as well as a large number of modern prints and drawings, including some works by Pablo Picasso.
  • Lenoir C. Write Collection of Japanese Prints – This collection numbers over 500 works of art and includes major printmakers such as Hiroshige, Hokusai, and Yoshitoshi.

Prior to your visit you should be sure to look over the museum’s calendar – the Weatherspoon Art Museum regularly features special exhibitions, workshops, and curator talks throughout the year. 

Printworks Mill Storage in Greensboro NC

As seen, Greensboro offers an appeal that can rival both Charlotte and Raleigh. The city features a robust and thriving job economy, a spectacular food scene, and the cultural sites and attractions so often associated with a larger market. And now that you’re considering moving to Greensboro NC; what are your next steps? Look no further than Printworks Mill Storage in Greensboro! Printworks Mill Storage provides storage units to meet any mover’s needs! This facility offers features such as climate controlled storage units, indoor storage units, and the convenience of U-Haul truck rentals on-site. Stop by today and chat with some of the storage experts at Printworks Mill Storage!

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Tim Glasow

About the Author: Tim is an SEO Manager at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. He is a self-storage industry specialist who has written about everything from storage advice and helpful resources to industry trends. In his free time, Tim enjoys sampling craft beer and exploring the local music scene.