Auburn Family: When You Finally Understand What It Means
Auburn Family is a phrase you’ll hear often if you’re moving to Auburn, Alabama, but it can be difficult to understand what people mean until you’ve spent some time here.
At first, it may sound like another university slogan.
Then one day you’re wearing an Auburn shirt hundreds of miles from Alabama and a complete stranger says, “War Eagle!”
Or you’re walking through Downtown Auburn and someone you don’t know starts talking to you.
Or football season arrives and you see alumni returning to Auburn year after year.
That’s when you begin to understand it.
The Auburn Family isn’t limited to football games or Auburn University events. It shows up in everyday life.
And if you’re relocating to Auburn University or considering making Auburn home, that sense of place is worth understanding.
Table of Contents
- What does Auburn Family mean?
- Why Auburn people say “War Eagle”
- Auburn connections that last after graduation
- Auburn Family beyond football
- Downtown Auburn and Auburn University
- What community means when choosing a home
- How to evaluate an Auburn neighborhood
- Quick Q&A
- Moving to Auburn
What Does Auburn Family Mean?
Auburn University uses the term Auburn Family to describe the connection among students, alumni, faculty, staff and others connected to Auburn.
The university describes passion and spirit as hallmarks of the Auburn Family.
But definitions only explain so much.
It’s easier to understand when you experience Auburn for yourself.
I’ve lived in the Auburn–Opelika area since 1988, attended Auburn University and watched the city change tremendously over the years.
Buildings change.
Businesses come and go.
New neighborhoods develop.
Downtown evolves.
But there are certain things that remain unmistakably Auburn.
One of them is that sense of connection.
You can learn more about Auburn University at Auburn University (https://www.auburn.edu/).
Auburn Family and the Random “War Eagle”
This might be one of the best examples.
If you’re new to Auburn, you need to know:
“War Eagle” is not Auburn’s mascot.
We’re the Auburn Tigers.
Aubie is the mascot.
“War Eagle” is Auburn’s battle cry — but it’s also a greeting.
Wear an Auburn shirt in another city or even another state and don’t be surprised if someone walks by and says:
“War Eagle!”
You may have absolutely no idea who that person is.
Doesn’t matter. 😂
You both recognize the connection.
Auburn University explains that “War Eagle” is used by members of the Auburn Family to greet and identify with each other around the world.
It’s one of those Auburn traditions that sounds a little strange until you’ve experienced it.
Then it becomes completely normal.
Auburn Connections Don’t Necessarily End at Graduation
Auburn is a university town, but Auburn’s identity isn’t limited to the students currently enrolled.
Alumni remain an enormous part of Auburn culture.
You see that especially during football season.
People return to Auburn.
They visit favorite places.
They walk through Downtown Auburn.
They stop at Toomer’s Corner.
They come back to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
They revisit the university that became part of their lives years or even decades earlier.
Jordan-Hare Stadium (https://auburntigers.com/jordan-hare-stadium) is certainly one of the most visible gathering places, but that connection extends far beyond football.
For many graduates, Auburn remains part of their identity long after they’ve received their diploma.
You Can See the Auburn Family in Downtown Auburn
One of the reasons Downtown Auburn is so useful for understanding this city is its physical connection to Auburn University.
Stand around Toomer’s Corner and look around.
On one side is the university.
On the other is downtown.
Nearby, Samford Hall provides one of Auburn University’s most recognizable views.
Walk farther through downtown and you’ll find restaurants, clothing stores, shops and businesses mixed into a setting heavily influenced by the university.
During football season, that connection becomes even more visible.
Store windows feature Auburn themes.
Clothing shops display orange-and-blue outfits.
Restaurants join in the game-day atmosphere.
Auburn merchandise seems to be everywhere.
Tigers appear in windows and displays.
Fans fill the sidewalks.
And after an Auburn football victory, Toomer’s Corner can become the center of the celebration.
Auburn University doesn’t simply sit beside the city. Its presence is woven throughout everyday Auburn life.
The Auburn Family Isn’t Just About Football
Football may be the easiest time to see Auburn spirit because everything becomes so visible.
Tiger Walk.
The eagle flight.
The Auburn University Marching Band.
Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Orange and blue everywhere.
Toomer’s Corner.
But Auburn Family isn’t supposed to disappear when football season ends.
Auburn even has a tradition called Hey Day, when students and faculty wear name tags and are encouraged to greet one another with “Hey!”
There’s something wonderfully Auburn about having an actual tradition centered around saying hello. 😂
That reflects something larger about the university’s culture — connection and recognition matter here.
Living in Auburn Is Different From Visiting Auburn
This is something I think relocation buyers sometimes underestimate.
You can visit Auburn for a weekend and see the university, eat downtown, drive through neighborhoods and tour houses.
That’s helpful.
But living here gives you a different perspective.
Eventually the landmarks stop being tourist stops.
Samford Hall becomes something you drive past.
Toomer’s Corner becomes an intersection you recognize instantly.
Downtown restaurants become places you actually visit.
Auburn University events become part of the rhythm of the city.
And “War Eagle” becomes something you hear in completely ordinary situations.
That’s when Auburn starts feeling less like somewhere you’re visiting and more like somewhere you live.
What Does the Auburn Family Have to Do With Real Estate?
Here’s where this topic becomes important for someone moving to Auburn.
A house is only one part of choosing where to live.
You also need to think about the environment surrounding it.
Different Auburn neighborhoods offer different:
- Home styles
- Lot sizes
- Sidewalk configurations
- Amenities
- Distances from Auburn University
- Distances from Downtown Auburn
- Access to parks and recreation
- HOA structures
- Opportunities for neighborhood interaction
- Traffic patterns
- Price ranges
Some buyers want sidewalks and neighborhood amenities.
Others want more land and privacy.
Some want to be close to Auburn University.
Others would rather have some distance from campus activity.
There isn’t one correct version of “community.”
The goal is finding the setting that fits the way you want to live.
You can explore different areas through my Auburn subdivisions page (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/auburn-al-subdivisons/).
How Can You Tell Whether an Auburn Neighborhood Fits You?
Don’t judge a neighborhood from one listing photo.
Spend some time there.
Drive through at different times of day when practical.
Look at the layout.
Are there sidewalks?
Are there common areas?
How close is it to the places you’ll actually use?
What’s the drive to Auburn University if you’ll be working there?
How close do you want to be to Downtown Auburn?
Would you prefer a larger lot or neighborhood amenities?
What are the HOA rules and costs, if applicable?
These are practical questions.
And they’re often more useful than asking whether a neighborhood is simply “good” or “bad.”
It’s about whether it’s right for you.
For current public-school information, buyers can consult Auburn City Schools (https://www.auburnschools.org/).
For local shopping information, Auburn Mall (https://www.shopauburnalabama.com/) is another resource.
A Realistic Auburn Relocation Example
Imagine you’re relocating to Auburn University.
You tour two houses that both meet your basic requirements.
One is closer to campus and Downtown Auburn.
The other offers more distance from university activity and a different neighborhood layout.
Neither is automatically better.
The question becomes:
How do you want to live?
Maybe you want Auburn University woven into your daily routine.
Maybe you’d love being able to get downtown easily, visit restaurants and experience university events.
Or maybe you love Auburn but want your home life to feel more removed from campus activity.
Understanding that difference can help you choose a home based on more than countertops and square footage.
The Auburn Family Can Follow You Anywhere
One of the funniest things about Auburn culture is that you don’t actually have to be in Auburn to experience it.
Wear Auburn gear somewhere else and see what happens.
Airport?
War Eagle.
Vacation?
War Eagle.
Another state?
There’s a decent chance somebody notices that Auburn logo.
War Eagle.
Two strangers can recognize something they have in common without knowing anything else about each other.
That’s probably one of the simplest explanations of the Auburn Family.
It’s recognition.
It’s connection.
And sometimes it’s nothing more complicated than two words exchanged between people who have never met:
War Eagle.
Quick Q&A About the Auburn Family
What does “Auburn Family” mean?
Auburn University uses Auburn Family to describe the shared connection among the people associated with Auburn and its traditions, including students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Why do Auburn people say “War Eagle” to strangers?
“War Eagle” is Auburn’s battle cry, but Auburn University also describes it as a greeting and a way Auburn people identify with one another.
Is Auburn’s mascot an eagle?
No. Auburn’s teams are the Tigers, and Aubie the Tiger is Auburn’s official mascot. “War Eagle” is the university’s battle cry.
Does the Auburn Family only refer to football fans?
No. Auburn Family is a much broader university concept. Football simply provides some of the most visible examples of Auburn traditions and shared experiences.
Do Auburn alumni stay involved after graduation?
Many alumni maintain connections to Auburn through university activities, athletics, alumni events, friendships and return visits to Auburn.
Does neighborhood choice matter when moving to Auburn?
Yes. Neighborhoods vary in housing styles, locations, amenities, lot sizes, proximity to Auburn University and Downtown Auburn, HOA structures and other characteristics. Buyers should decide which features fit their own priorities.
What should I consider when choosing an Auburn neighborhood?
Consider your commute, desired proximity to Auburn University and Downtown Auburn, home style, lot size, neighborhood layout, sidewalks, amenities, HOA information and the places you expect to visit regularly.
Related Auburn Topics
- Moving to Auburn, Alabama
- Living in Auburn, Alabama
- Auburn University relocation
- Auburn Family traditions
- Auburn football traditions
- Downtown Auburn
- Toomer’s Corner
- Auburn Tiger Walk
- Auburn University Marching Band
- Auburn neighborhoods
- Auburn homes for sale
- Living near Auburn University
Visit AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com for more information about Auburn neighborhoods, relocation and homes for sale.
Local Auburn Experience Matters
Laura Sellers is an Auburn University alumna who has lived in the Auburn–Opelika area since 1988 and has been a REALTOR® for over 20 years. She is an Associate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, the Official Real Estate Partner of the Auburn Tigers.
After living here since 1988, Auburn isn’t simply the place where I went to college.
It’s home.
And I think the phrase Auburn Family makes a lot more sense once you’ve spent enough time here to experience the little everyday moments behind it.
Thinking About Moving to Auburn?
If you’re relocating to Auburn University or considering making Auburn home, I can help you compare neighborhoods, locations and housing options based on the way you want to live.
Laura Sellers, Associate Broker, REALTOR®
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate
334-332-7263
AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
War Eagle & Homes, y’all!
