Living in Auburn Alabama: Small Town With a Lot Going On
Living in Auburn Alabama gives you an interesting combination: Auburn is large and active enough that there’s almost always something happening, but it can still feel small enough that news travels remarkably fast.
And social media has made the Auburn grapevine even faster. 😂
So here’s my complimentary relocation advice:
If you’re going to act a fool in Downtown Auburn, you might want to assume somebody has a phone.
Somebody knows you.
Or somebody knows somebody who knows you.
And whatever happened may make it across town before you do.
You’re welcome.
I’m joking — mostly — but there’s a real point behind it.
If you’re considering moving to Auburn, understanding the personality of the community is just as important as learning about houses, neighborhoods and commute times.
Auburn has grown tremendously since I moved here in 1988, but there are still moments when it feels very much like a smaller college town.
Table of Contents
- Living in Auburn Alabama: Big and small at the same time
- Auburn University changes the size of the city
- Downtown Auburn feels like everybody’s meeting place
- The Auburn grapevine is alive and well
- Social media changed everything
- There’s usually something happening
- Auburn changes dramatically on football weekends
- Auburn and Opelika work together
- What relocation buyers should understand
- Quick Q&A
- Moving to Auburn
Living in Auburn Alabama Can Feel Big and Small at the Same Time
Auburn is difficult to describe with one label.
It’s a university town.
It’s a growing Alabama city.
It’s part of the larger Auburn–Opelika area.
And sometimes it still feels like a small town.
That’s part of what makes Auburn interesting.
You can have thousands of visitors arrive for an Auburn football weekend and then walk through Downtown Auburn early on another morning when everything feels completely different.
You can attend a major event at Auburn University and then run into somebody you know at a restaurant, grocery store or Toomer’s Corner.
Auburn has grown.
But it hasn’t completely lost that feeling of connection.
Auburn University Makes This Small City Feel Much Bigger
You can’t really explain Auburn without explaining Auburn University (https://www.auburn.edu/).
The university brings students, faculty, staff, alumni, athletics, performances, lectures, cultural events and visitors into the city throughout the year.
That means the amount of activity can feel much larger than someone might expect from looking at Auburn on a map.
There are university events.
Football games.
Basketball.
Baseball.
Performances.
Graduations.
Parent weekends.
Alumni returning to town.
And all the normal activity of a major university operating right in the middle of the community.
If you’re relocating to Auburn University, that’s important to understand.
You’re not simply moving close to your employer.
You’re moving into a city whose identity is closely connected to the university.
Downtown Auburn Feels Like Everybody’s Meeting Place
Downtown Auburn is one of the places where that connection is easiest to see.
Toomer’s Corner sits at the intersection of downtown and Auburn University.
Walk around and you’ll see restaurants, clothing stores, Auburn merchandise, decorated storefront windows and the unmistakable orange-and-blue influence of the university.
Samford Hall is nearby.
Hargis Hall is nearby.
Campus begins right there.
I’ve photographed Downtown Auburn early in the morning when the streets are almost empty, and I’ve seen the same area packed with people during Auburn events.
Those two versions of Auburn can look completely different.
And yet they’re the same place.
Yes, the Auburn Grapevine Is Alive and Well
Now we get to the fun part. 😂
Auburn has enough of a small-town personality that sometimes information travels surprisingly quickly.
You know how this works.
Someone knows somebody.
That person works with somebody.
Somebody else’s daughter knows them.
Someone saw what happened.
Someone took a picture.
And before long…
Well, everybody knows.
Obviously, not literally everybody in Auburn knows everybody else.
But longtime residents, Auburn University connections, business relationships, alumni networks and overlapping social circles can make Auburn feel smaller than its population suggests.
That’s part of the culture someone moving from a much larger metropolitan area might notice.
Social Media Put the Auburn Grapevine on Fast-Forward
Years ago, gossip had to work harder. 😂
Somebody had to actually call somebody.
Now?
Phones are everywhere.
Pictures are everywhere.
Video is everywhere.
Facebook groups exist.
Instagram exists.
TikTok exists.
Someone can record something Downtown Auburn and have it circulating before half the people involved have even made it home.
So here is my completely free Auburn relocation consultation:
If you’re going to act a fool in Downtown Auburn, assume somebody is recording it.
Consider yourself warned.
Homes, y’all! 😂
There’s Usually Something Going On in Auburn
The other side of this topic is that Auburn isn’t some sleepy little town where nothing ever happens.
Auburn University helps create activity throughout the year.
Downtown restaurants and businesses have their own activity.
There are arts and cultural events.
Athletics.
Community events.
University events.
Concerts and performances.
Shopping.
Dining.
Parks and recreation.
And you’re also connected to neighboring Opelika, which adds another downtown, restaurants, shopping and events to the Auburn–Opelika lifestyle.
That’s why someone considering a move shouldn’t evaluate Auburn solely by its physical size.
The university changes the equation.
Then Auburn Football Arrives
If you want to see Auburn transform, wait for a home football weekend.
Jordan-Hare Stadium (https://auburntigers.com/jordan-hare-stadium) becomes the center of attention.
Tailgates appear across campus.
Orange and blue take over.
Downtown Auburn gets busier.
Restaurants fill.
Storefront windows display Auburn football merchandise.
Tiger Walk brings fans together before the game.
The Auburn University Marching Band becomes part of the soundtrack.
And if Auburn wins, Toomer’s Corner may become part of the celebration afterward.
Then the weekend ends.
Visitors leave.
Campus settles down.
And Auburn goes back to being Auburn.
That cycle is part of living in a university town.
Don’t Evaluate Auburn Only on a Football Saturday
This is something I’d tell someone considering an Auburn relocation.
If your first visit happens during a major Auburn football weekend, don’t assume that’s what everyday Auburn looks like.
And if your first visit happens on a quiet summer morning, don’t assume that’s the whole story either.
Try to experience different versions of the city.
Drive around on a weekday.
Visit Downtown Auburn.
Explore Auburn University.
Look at different neighborhoods.
Go into Opelika.
See Downtown Opelika.
Drive around Tiger Town.
If you’re able, experience Auburn when there’s a major university event happening, too.
You want to understand the place you’re moving to — not simply the house you’re buying.
Auburn and Opelika Give You More Than One Downtown
Another thing newcomers sometimes don’t fully appreciate is how connected everyday life in Auburn and Opelika can be.
They are separate cities with their own identities.
But residents regularly move between them.
You might live in Auburn and eat dinner in Downtown Opelika.
You might live in Opelika and work at Auburn University.
You might spend Saturday morning in Downtown Auburn and Saturday afternoon shopping around Opelika Tiger Town (https://www.opelika-al.gov/397/Tiger-Town).
Auburn Mall (https://www.shopauburnalabama.com/) provides another shopping area.
When I’m helping someone relocate, I want them to understand the broader Auburn–Opelika area rather than looking at a map and assuming everything important happens within one city boundary.
What Does Any of This Have to Do With Real Estate?
A lot.
When you relocate, you’re not simply buying:
- Four bedrooms
- Three bathrooms
- 2,500 square feet
- A garage
- A backyard
You’re choosing where your everyday life happens.
Do you want convenient access to Auburn University?
Do you want to be closer to Downtown Auburn?
Would you rather have more distance from major university activity?
Do you spend more time around Opelika?
Would you rather have a larger lot?
Do you want newer construction?
Do you prefer an established neighborhood?
Those questions matter.
You can explore different areas through my Auburn subdivisions page (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/auburn-al-subdivisons/).
For current public-school information, visit Auburn City Schools (https://www.auburnschools.org/) or Opelika City Schools (https://www.opelikaschools.org/).
A Realistic Auburn Relocation Scenario
Imagine you’re relocating from a large metropolitan area.
You look at Auburn and think:
This is going to be a tiny little college town.
Then you arrive during football season.
Traffic is heavier.
Restaurants are busy.
Thousands of people are on campus.
Downtown is full of activity.
You start wondering whether Auburn is really small at all.
Then you come back on an ordinary morning.
You grab coffee.
You walk Downtown Auburn.
You see someone you met the day before.
A local business owner knows someone from your office.
You run into another familiar face later.
Suddenly you understand it.
Auburn can have the activity of a much larger place while occasionally giving you that everybody-knows-somebody feeling of a smaller one.
That’s a much better description than simply calling Auburn “small” or “big.”
Quick Q&A About Living in Auburn Alabama
What is living in Auburn, Alabama like?
Auburn combines a growing city with the influence of a major university. Residents have access to university athletics, cultural events, restaurants, shopping, Downtown Auburn and neighboring Opelika while still experiencing aspects of a smaller community.
Does Auburn feel like a college town?
Yes, Auburn University’s presence is significant, particularly around campus, Downtown Auburn and major university events. Other parts of Auburn may feel quite different.
Is Auburn busy all the time?
No. Activity varies considerably depending on university schedules, football weekends, special events, time of year and location.
What is Downtown Auburn like?
Downtown Auburn sits immediately adjacent to Auburn University and includes restaurants, shops, Toomer’s Corner and businesses strongly influenced by the university and Auburn traditions.
Should I visit Auburn before relocating?
When practical, yes. Experiencing different areas and different types of days can help you understand Auburn much better than simply viewing homes online.
Should I consider Opelika when moving to Auburn?
It’s worth exploring both cities. Auburn and Opelika are separate communities, but residents regularly travel between them for employment, shopping, dining, recreation and other activities.
When should I contact a REALTOR® if I’m moving to Auburn?
Ideally, contact your own REALTOR® before you begin touring homes or clicking “contact agent” on listing websites. A local agent can help you understand the area before you become focused on a particular property.
Related Auburn–Opelika Topics
- Living in Auburn Alabama
- Moving to Auburn Alabama
- Auburn relocation
- Relocating to Auburn University
- Auburn University relocation
- Downtown Auburn
- Auburn football traditions
- Auburn game day
- Auburn neighborhoods
- Auburn vs. Opelika
- Auburn homes for sale
- Opelika homes for sale
Visit AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com for more information about living, moving and buying real estate in the Auburn–Opelika area.
Local Knowledge Makes a Difference
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.
I’ve watched Auburn change tremendously since 1988.
It’s much larger than it used to be.
There’s more development.
More traffic.
More restaurants.
More shopping.
More people.
But every once in a while, Auburn will remind you that it’s still a place where somebody knows somebody who knows you. 😂
Thinking About Moving to Auburn?
If you’re considering moving to Auburn, don’t wait until you’ve already started touring houses to learn the area.
Contact me before you start touring homes, before you click “contact agent” on a listing website, and before you choose an agent.
I can help you understand Auburn and Opelika and narrow your search based on how you actually want to live.
Laura Sellers, Associate Broker, REALTOR®
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate
334-332-7263
AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
And remember:
If you’re going to act a fool in Downtown Auburn, somebody probably has a phone. 😂
Homes, y’all!
