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Greensboro, NC Gay City Guide: A Great Place to Call Home

Greensboro is a city of nearly 135 square miles and 275,000 people and is the third biggest city in North Carolina. It is part of what is known of the Piedmont Triad region of the state, which encompasses Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem, as well as many smaller cities and towns. It is a city full of beautiful green spaces, welcoming people, and plenty to see and do. Even better, it has a growing and thriving LGBTQ community where all can find their niche and place to belong.

A Bit of Greensboro History

Prior to the time that Greensboro was ever officially founded, Native American people hunted, camped and traded in the area for many centuries. When the Europeans first came to what is currently Greensboro, the area was inhabited by a Siouan-speaking people called Saura. In the late-1700s Scots-Irish, German and Quaker immigrants move to the area. The settlers bought the land from the Native Americans for just $98 and called the town Greensborough, a name that it would have until 1895. By the late 1890s, everyone knew the city as Greensboro, and with the founding of the railroad in the area, the area also became known as “Gate City” for its unique role as a place where many products could be shipped out to other areas. The city began to grow and flourish and by the early 1920s had its first skyscraper. Today, the city has many people, a diverse population, a thriving and growing business sector, and offers plenty to see and do, all in beautiful natural surroundings. Truly, Greensboro is a great place to call home!

A Few Fun Facts About Greensboro

  • The people of Greensboro, NC love sports, so much that one of the city’s nicknames is “Tournament Town.” Greensboro is home to many sports teams, including the NBA G League Greensboro Swarm, the Greensboro Grasshoppers that play in the South Atlantic Baseball League, and the Carolina Dynamo who play in the Premier Development Soccer League.
  • Vick’s VapoRub was invented in Greensboro.
  • Greensboro is the birthplace of the former First Lady and wife of President James Madison, Dolly Madison.

Read more fun facts about Greensboro here.

Greensboro’s LGBTQ Community

Greensboro has a growing, thriving, and welcoming community that is well-supported by the city in a variety of ways. Some supportive resources include:

The Guilford Green Foundation

The Guilford Green Foundation is an 1800-square foot community center in the heart of Greensboro with this mission of providing resources, support, advocacy, and programming for the Greensboro LGBTQ community, friends, and allies.

PFLAG Greensboro

PFLAG Greensboro is the area's local chapter of the national PFLAG organization. PFLAG is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country and plays a critical role in providing advocacy, networking opportunities, connections and resources to the LGBTQ community. It also offers monthly support meetings, as well as resources, advocacy and support for the LGBTQ community, and its friends and allies.

What’s the Weather Like in Greensboro?

Those who live in Greensboro can expect to experience all four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are typically the most pleasant seasons of the year, with spring bringing beautiful vibrant flowers, and fall bringing brightly colored leaves and crisp breezes. Each year brings a fairly average amount of rain, with around 45 inches per year and a slight amount of snow - typically 5 inches per year or less. The high in July in Greensboro averages around 89°F and in January the low drops to about 30°F.

The Best Events in Greensboro

OUT and About Greensboro

Greensboro’s LGBTQ Community Center, Guilford Green, keeps this site regularly updated with various LGBTQ community events throughout the year. Be sure to check it often to find plenty of things to see and do that you’ll be sure to enjoy!

Greensboro Pride

Greensboro Pride is the city’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event that you’ll want to be sure to put on your calendar. Whether you enjoy parties, parades, family-friendly activities, or all of the above, you’re sure to find plenty to celebrate about Greensboro’s LGBTQ community and all that it adds to the city.

Where to Live in Greensboro

Greensboro doesn’t have one particular “gayborhood” like some larger cities do, but this doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of neighborhoods that are welcoming and wonderful places to live. A couple of popular Greensboro neighborhoods include:

  • Downtown: The downtown area of Greensboro is a great place to find LGBTQ-owned and friendly businesses, and is home to most of the LGBTQ nightlife in the city. While there aren’t as many large lots or big homes, there are a variety of condos and other similar housing options available. It’s also very affordable. The median price of homes recently sold in Downtown Greensboro is around $103,000.
  • Glenwood: Many consider Glenwood to be the gayest of the Greensboro neighborhoods.  It consists mostly of small seventies ranch homes built from the 1950s to the 1970s. The median list price of homes for sale in Glenwood is about $94,000.
  • Sunset Hills: Sunset Hills is also popular with the LGBTQ community, and is slightly more expensive, with single-family homes typically listed between $380,000 and $840,000. There aren’t many condos available in this neighborhood. This area is known as being walkable and offering plenty to see and do.

Arts and Entertainment

Four Seasons Town Centre

The Four Seasons Town Centre is a great place in Greensboro for shopping, dining, and fun. In addition to a wide variety of shops and restaurants, the Centre also offers entertainment and events throughout the year.

Carolina Theatre

The Carolina Theatre is Greensboro’s original performing arts group, and the oldest in the county. It’s a great place to enjoy a wide variety of shows and performances throughout the year. You won’t want to miss the chance to enjoy a performance – or several – for yourself.

Parks and Recreation

Stonewall Sports Greensboro

Stonewall Sports Greensboro is the city’s branch of the nationally popular LGBTQ-focused Stonewall Sports League. The mission of Stonewall Sports is to make sure that everyone can feel comfortable being who they are in organized sports. Regardless of whether you're a beginner to a sport or if you've been playing for some time, there's a spot on a team for everyone, and a chance to make friends, raise money for great LGBTQ causes, and get some healthy exercise. 

The Greensboro Arboretum

The Greensboro Arboretum proudly calls itself, "Greensboro Beautiful" – and it is. This beautiful arboretum and botanical garden covers 17 acres and is free for visitors to enjoy from sunrise to sunset each day. It's the perfect place to spend a sunny Greensboro afternoon.

Greensboro Nightlife

Chemistry Nightclub

Chemistry Nightclub is one of the most popular LGBTQ nightspots in the city – and with good reason. Offering theme nights, drink specials, karaoke, and large, friendly crowds, it’s a great spot to have a good time with old friends – and meet new ones.

Twist Lounge

If you’re looking for a place to dance the night away with friends, enjoy events like weekly trivia nights, or simply to let loose and relax, Twist Lounge is a great spot to do exactly that.

Contact a Greensboro Realtor Today

If Greensboro sounds like it would be a great place for you to call home, chances are, you’re eager to get started with your search for the perfect place. If you’re ready to begin, we’re ready to help. We would consider it a privilege to pair you with a realtor who knows the community, and who can help you find a home and neighborhood you’ll love. Contact a Greensboro gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!