What’s and Why’s of Transitional Housing
Anyone who has moved knows exactly what a disruption it is. I have moved twenty-five times. During many of my moves, I have needed a place to live that would allow me time to figure out where I want to set up my home. Furnished, and in a location with proximity to the schools I wanted my kids at and the core services I use. I have a personal preference for pedestrian-friendly locations because I prefer to walk when I can. I have terrible eyesight and driving in traffic scares me. Eric jokingly calls himself the director of transportation. He is not wrong.
It was never my plan to be a transitional housing provider, but the more time I spend creating these spaces, the stronger I feel about them. People move and need places to transition their life while they figure out where they will be. I have experienced moves from across the country to the house next door and everything in between. Every time, it is messy and uncomfortable and a diversion from life.
What Is Transitional Housing?
Transitional housing is a furnished connector home between two more permanent homes. It benefits people moving to Greensboro as their permanent home, as well as those who plan to be here for only a short period. Since 2020, many more people enjoy a flexible work location. Travel nurses have been living in new places on 30, 60, and 90-day contracts at hospitals and medical centers for decades. Now that other industries have embraced this as their new normal, workers are traveling to new places and working from destinations all over the world. Transitional housing is a natural fit.
If you want a full comparison of stay lengths, costs, and trade-offs, my breakdown of long-term vs short-term rentals in Greensboro covers short-term, mid-term, and traditional 12-month options side by side.
What Our Homes Include
We work to keep the cost of this type of housing accessible to average people. Our homes are not luxury and do not offer bidets or fancy extras. We provide clean, well-maintained, and centrally located homes in the heart of Greensboro. Whole house stays include furnishings, linens, cookware, and the standard appliances needed to go about daily life, plus one internet-connected television. The tiny home and private rooms have internet, however streaming TV happens from guests' own devices at those locations.
The Tiny House Option: Our Urban Birdhouse
The smallest home in our portfolio has the biggest story. The Urban Birdhouse Tiny Home is a veteran-built tiny house ADU behind 905 W. Wendover Ave., available for stays of 30 days or longer. It was constructed by veterans learning trades through the Greensboro nonprofit now known as Tiny House Community Development, formerly Tiny Houses Greensboro, which builds tiny home communities and teaches construction skills to people experiencing homelessness. I shared the full history in The Urban Birdhouse: Greensboro's Tiny Home with a Big Story. For a transitional stay, it offers something rare: a whole private dwelling, deck included, at a tiny house footprint and price.
Who We Host
We take pride in supporting people and families during a short visit to Greensboro for a graduation, a concert, a sports event, or a family celebration, as well as longer stays for a work contract or a transition to permanent Greensboro residency. Travel nurses at Cone Health facilities, relocating professionals, and families between closings all pass through our doors. Some later become neighbors, and a few have become buyers I helped find their permanent Greensboro home.
Recommendations When You Land
We also love sharing our favorite spots, service providers, vendors, and contractors. Our Preferred Vendors page lists the local, small businesses we trust with our own homes, and if you need a recommendation we have not written down yet, just ask.
Keep Reading
The Urban Birdhouse: Greensboro's Tiny Home with a Big Story
Long-Term vs Short-Term Rentals in Greensboro 2026: Which Is Right for You?
How to Build an ADU in Greensboro NC: Zoning, Permits, Costs, and Rental Income
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Browse the full Joy Watson Real Estate blog
Joy Watson Real Estate is an independent, non-corporate brokerage in Greensboro, NC. Joy Watson is a licensed North Carolina real estate broker (Broker-in-Charge). Questions about buying, selling, or renting in the Triad? Reach out through JoyWatsonRealEstate.com.
Anyone who has moved knows exactly what a disruption it is. I have moved twenty-five times. During many of my moves, I have needed a place to live that would allow me time to figure out where I want to set up my home. Furnished, and in a location with proximity to the schools I wanted my kids at and the core services I use. I have a personal preference for pedestrian-friendly locations because I prefer to walk when I can. I have terrible eyesight and driving in traffic scares me. Eric jokingly calls himself the director of transportation, but really, he is.
It was never my plan to be a transitional housing provider, but the more time I spend creating these spaces, the stronger I feel about creating these spaces. People move and need places to transition their life while they figure out where they will be. I have experienced moves from across the country to the house next door and everything in between. Every time, it is messy and uncomfortable and a diversion from life.
Transitional housing provides a connector home between two more permanent homes. This can benefit people moving to Greensboro as their permanent home, as well as those who plan to be here for only a short period. Since 2020, many more people enjoy a more flexible work location since COVID. Travel nurses have been enjoying a lifestyle of living in new places with 30, 60, and 90-day contracts at hospitals and medical centers for decades. Now that other industries have embraced this as their new normal, workers are traveling to new places and working from destinations all over the world. Transitional housing is a perfect fit.
