The city of Greensboro is the seat of Guilford County, as well as one of the three principal cities in the Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. With a population of around 300,000, it is not only the largest city in the county but also the third-most populous city in the state of North Carolina.
Greensboro is intersected by three interstate highways, making it a logistical hub and providing easy access to the rest of the country. Low living costs make it a very affordable option, while its rich cultural and historical background add to its character. If you’re considering moving to Greensboro, here’s what you need to know about the city:
1. How big is Greensboro?
Greensboro covers 134 square miles and is the county seat of Guilford County in North Carolina and the principal city in the Greensboro-High Point metropolitan area, which has a total area of almost 2,000 square miles.
With a population of close to 300,000 people, Greensboro is the third-largest city in North Carolina. The city proper includes 81 neighborhoods taking in more than 20 different ZIP codes.
2. What is the weather like in Greensboro?
Situated in the Southeast, Greensboro enjoys a humid subtropical climate that includes four distinct seasons. Generally, summers tend to be hot and humid, averaging 78.5 °F in July. There are about 32 days that have highs of at least 90 °F. Winters, however, are short and cool, with 75 nights per year that drop to or below freezing.
Greensboro, NC skyline in summer
To keep your belongings away from the damaging effects of both hot and humid weather in the summer and the winter’s cold, you can put some of them in a storage unit throughout the year. Think seasonal décor, sports gear, gardening tools and even vehicles – they can temporarily sit in a storage unit until you need to use them again. Additionally, artwork, antiques and other collectibles are even safer in a climate-controlled unit in Greensboro.
3. What’s the job market like in Greensboro?
Once a manufacturing hub, nowadays Greensboro’s top industries include healthcare and social assistance, plus the retail trade. Educational services also provide plenty of opportunities, with Guilford County Schools and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro being among the city’s top employers. Its infrastructure makes it a good logistical hub for companies needing to distribute their products.
Both large and small businesses in Greensboro can benefit from renting self storage. It’s a great service that can help with managing surplus stock or office furniture during a move. Moreover, contractors can use a self storage unit to store bulky tools and construction materials close to a construction site.
4. University and college life in Greensboro
As a college town, Greensboro is home to several institutions of higher education, including Bennett College, Elon University School of Law, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and many others. Through the Greater Greensboro Consortium, college students enrolled in a Greensboro institution can cross-register at other colleges or universities in town.
Students in Greensboro can also use self storage to better manage their sometimes limited living space. They can keep bulky and seasonal items in a storage unit until they need to use them again. Moreover, at the end of the academic year, they can put their belongings in a storage unit during summer break instead of going through a logistically challenging and expensive move.
5. Outdoor recreation and other types of entertainment in Greensboro
One of Greensboro’s nicknames is Tournament Town, as the city plays host to many sports events throughout the year and provides a wealth of athletic venues. Nature lovers are spoiled for choice in terms of parks and biking and hiking trails, with the National Battlefield Park being an excellent spot to relax in. When they’re taking a break from staying active outdoors, locals can put their hiking gear and bikes in storage to avoid over-crowding their living space.
For those looking for dinner and a show, visiting the Barn Dinner Theatre is a must — it is the oldest of its kind in the U.S. It serves up top-quality food and top-notch entertainment, and that might be because singing off-key is against the law in North Carolina! Of course, you could always just head down to Elm Street and peruse what Greensboro offers in terms of high street retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues.
Lebauer Park, in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina
6. What is Greensboro famous for?
Although it is a very green city, it wasn’t the trees that put the ‘green’ in Greensboro. The city takes its name from General Nathaniel Greene, who led American forces in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in 1781. The city also had an important role in the Civil Rights movement; what is now the International Civil Rights Center and Museum used to be a Woolworth’s lunch counter, the site of a series of protests that ultimately led to the desegregation of lunch counters.
Greensboro also has its own set of peculiar laws, one of which states that restaurants with sidewalk tables must post their menu so that it is clearly readable from the sidewalk but not from the street.
7. How self storage helps you move to Greensboro
When you are moving here, you can pack up your belongings and have them sent to a local storage unit close to your new home prior to your arrival. In this way, you can make moving day a little less stressful. Once you get settled into your new Greensboro home, you can make several visits to your storage unit to gradually fetch your belongings and put them in ideal surroundings in your new home.
8. What are the costs of moving to Greensboro, NC?
North Carolina is one of the most popular destinations for interstate moving, meaning that there are plenty of people just waiting to call Greensboro their new home. If you’re relocating from Florida, the cost of your move will range between $3,400 and $3,800, while coming up from South Carolina will see you spending around $3,000-$3,400. People moving from Philadelphia pay an average of $3,500 for relocating with the contents of a 2-3 bedroom home, while the costs go up for those relocating from New York, working out at an average of $4,000.
For out-of-city moves, costs range between $1,100 and $1,500 for people migrating from either Charlotte or Raleigh. Greensboro moving companies typically charge $324 for a move that takes three hours and requires two helpers and a truck, yet you might be able to find local companies charging as low as $50 per hour.
9. Housing in Greensboro
Finding your perfect home is also part of the process of moving to Greensboro. In this instance, self storage can also help you.
Here’s what you need to know based on the living situation of your choice:
Single family living
Greensboro has a lot of well-regarded neighborhoods if you choose to buy a home here, and they cater to various lifestyles. For instance, Fisher Park is a great family-friendly suburb and Dunleath is a historic neighborhood sporting traditional-style homes with front porches.
Once you’ve settled on a neighborhood and a home, you’ll discover that self storage can help even beyond moving. To keep your living space organized, you can place seasonal and bulky items in storage, allowing you to keep a breezy and uncluttered home.
Self storage is also useful when you’re doing a home improvement project, as objects from the spaces being renovated need to be moved to allow work to continue. Instead of cluttering other parts of your home, it’s easier to put those items in a storage unit for the duration of the project, which can take months.
You can also turn to self storage to assist your transition to multi-generational living. If you are witnessing two or more generations come together under the same roof, you may discover that there isn’t enough room to keep the additional furniture, appliances and family heirlooms in the same house where you live. You can place some of these in a storage unit until they’re needed again.
Apartment living
Apartment living is popular in Downtown Greensboro, where businesses are thriving and there are plenty of opportunities for shopping, dining and enjoying the local entertainment scene. Having all these perks at your fingertips does mean that you may have to make some compromises. Apartments typically come with less living space than single family homes. To make the most of this situation, you can put seasonal items, sports gear and other belongings you’re not using on a regular basis in a storage unit. You can retrieve them at a later date when you need them again.
Modern buildings in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina.
10. Is Greensboro a good place to live?
Greensboro is a medium-sized city with a cozy vibe and friendly locals. Its lakes, parks and vast expanses of woodland have helped gain it a reputation as a healthy place and one of America’s best cities to live in. Let’s take a look at some of the common moving routes to Greensboro
Moving to Greensboro from Boston
When you move from Boston to Greensboro, you discover that your dollar stretches a lot further here. The city combines a comparatively low cost of living with a strong appeal for young professionals and families. Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the large city doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy urban amenities, as Greensboro fares well in this department. Its green spaces, walkability, easy access to numerous attractions and employment opportunities help add to its appeal.
Moving to Greensboro from Charlotte
Out of the five largest NC cities, Greensboro is known for its affordability. This might be why Charlotte residents are moving to Greensboro, which has been dubbed “mini Charlotte.” It’s a family-friendly city that has a generous offering of both indoor and outdoor activities.
11. What are the storage options in Greensboro?
Finding a storage facility can significantly improve your moving experience. You can enjoy taking your time apartment and job hunting, or even just getting to know your new home city while ensuring your belongings are safe. The city offers a great choice of self storage facilities, with Greensboro units renting for about $25/month for smaller units or up to $400/month for larger units.
Self storage facilities in Greensboro offer units of all sizes, including small ones (5’x5’ and 5’x10’), standard units (10’x10’), and larger ones such as the 10’x15’ and 10’x20’ sizes. In addition, a 10’x30’ unit is ideal for storing a car or a small boat. If you’re not sure which unit size you need, you can consult this unit size guide.
Make your move to Greensboro the best one yet by taking a moment to browse the self storage listings on the StorageCafe search portal.
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