Move to Auburn: Relocating for Auburn University’s School of Communication & Journalism

If you’re planning to move to Auburn for a faculty or staff position with Auburn University’s School of Communication & Journalism, congratulations! Whether you’re accepting your first university appointment, relocating from another state, or advancing your academic career, finding the right home is an important part of making the transition successful.

While many people initially focus on commute times, I’ve found that lifestyle is often just as important as location.

Some buyers want to walk to downtown Auburn for dinner after work. Others want to be just minutes from campus while enjoying an established neighborhood with mature trees. Still others prefer newer homes in Opelika that offer more square footage or newer construction for the same budget.

There isn’t one perfect answer.

The best neighborhood depends on how you want to spend your time when you’re not on campus.

As an Auburn University graduate, I’ve proudly called the Auburn-Opelika area home since 1988 and have been helping buyers relocate to our community for more than 20 years as a REALTOR®. I enjoy helping Auburn University faculty and staff discover not only the right house—but the right lifestyle.

Why Auburn University Attracts Faculty From Around the Country
About Auburn University’s School of Communication & Journalism
Why Lifestyle Matters as Much as Your Commute
Auburn or Opelika?
Popular Areas for Faculty and Staff
New Construction or Established Neighborhood?
Comparison Chart
A Real-World Relocation Example
Questions to Ask Before Buying
Common Relocation Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Move to Auburn?

Why Auburn University Attracts Faculty From Around the Country

Auburn University continues to attract talented faculty, researchers, administrators, and staff from across the United States and internationally.

Many people relocating here are pleasantly surprised that Auburn offers something many college towns struggle to balance:

A nationally respected university
SEC athletics
A vibrant downtown
Excellent restaurants
Outdoor recreation
Small-town friendliness
Modern healthcare
Easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and Montgomery

You can learn more about Auburn University on its official website:

https://www.auburn.edu

For many faculty members, Auburn becomes more than a workplace—it becomes home.

About Auburn University’s School of Communication & Journalism

The School of Communication & Journalism prepares students for careers in journalism, public relations, media production, communication, digital storytelling, broadcasting, strategic communication, and related fields.

Faculty members often balance:

Teaching
Research
Student advising
Committee work
Community outreach
Conference travel
Graduate mentoring

Learn more about the School of Communication & Journalism here:

https://ocm.auburn.edu/academics/communication-journalism/

Because schedules can vary dramatically from semester to semester, many faculty members appreciate living in a location that makes everyday life convenient—not simply close.

Why Lifestyle Matters Just as Much as Location

One misconception I hear is:

“I just want to live as close to campus as possible.”

Sometimes that’s exactly the right decision.

Sometimes it isn’t.

Imagine two different faculty members.

Buyer One

Loves:

Walking downtown
Coffee shops
Restaurants
Auburn events
Football weekends
Being near campus

Living close to downtown Auburn may be perfect.

Buyer Two

Would rather have:

A quieter subdivision
Larger yard
Newer construction
Less maintenance
More house for the money

That buyer may actually be happier several miles away—even if the commute is a few minutes longer.

Your commute only happens twice a day.

Your neighborhood affects every day.

Popular Areas Near Auburn University

Many Auburn University employees choose homes near campus because they enjoy being connected to university life.

Popular choices include neighborhoods near:

Downtown Auburn
Samford Avenue
East University Drive
North College Street
South College Street
Wire Road
East Glenn Avenue

These areas often provide relatively quick access to campus while allowing residents to enjoy restaurants, shopping, parks, and community events.

For information about living in Auburn, visit:

https://www.auburnalabama.org

Why Some Faculty Choose Opelika

Not everyone relocating to Auburn actually purchases a home in Auburn.

Many buyers decide that Opelika offers exactly what they’re looking for.

Reasons include:

More new construction
Larger homes
Larger lots
Excellent value
Growing retail areas
New restaurants
Easy access to Auburn
Modern subdivisions

The commute remains very manageable for many university employees.

For buyers wanting newer homes without giving up proximity to Auburn University, Opelika deserves consideration.

New Construction or an Established Neighborhood?

One question almost every relocation buyer asks is:

Should I buy new construction—or an established home?

Each offers advantages.

New Construction

Pros

Modern floor plans
Energy efficiency
Builder warranties
New appliances
Minimal immediate maintenance

Possible trade-offs

Smaller trees
Smaller lots
Less established neighborhood character
Ongoing construction nearby

Established Neighborhood

Pros

Mature landscaping
Larger trees
More established community
Larger lots in some neighborhoods
Proven resale history

Possible trade-offs

Older systems
Remodeling projects
More maintenance

Neither option is automatically better.

The best choice depends on your priorities.

Comparison Chart

Lifestyle Priority	Auburn Near Campus	Opelika
Walkability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Downtown restaurants	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Commute to Auburn University	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
New construction	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Larger lots	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mature neighborhoods	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
More house for the money	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Established character	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Shopping	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quiet suburban feel	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Real-World Example

Imagine a professor accepting a position in Auburn University’s School of Communication & Journalism.

Initially, she believes she wants to live within five minutes of campus.

After spending a day exploring Auburn, she realizes something.

She enjoys quiet evenings more than nightlife.

She prefers newer homes with open floor plans.

She wants a neighborhood with sidewalks and a community pool.

After comparing homes in both Auburn and Opelika, she ultimately chooses a newer subdivision in Opelika.

Her commute increases by only a few minutes.

Yet every evening she enjoys a home and neighborhood that better fit her lifestyle.

Another faculty member may make the exact opposite decision because walking to downtown restaurants is more important.

Neither choice is wrong.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying

Before purchasing a home, consider:

Do I want to walk to downtown Auburn?
Will I attend Auburn athletic events frequently?
How important is new construction?
Do I want mature trees?
How much maintenance do I want?
Will I entertain often?
How much commuting time am I comfortable with?
Do I expect my family to grow?
Will I work from home?
Is resale important?

Common Relocation Mistakes

Many relocation buyers unintentionally:

Focus only on commute time
Ignore lifestyle preferences
Buy more house than they need
Overlook HOA rules
Rush because they’re relocating
Forget to compare Auburn and Opelika
Skip exploring neighborhoods before purchasing

Taking an extra day to drive around different parts of the community can make a tremendous difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I live in Auburn or Opelika?

It depends on your priorities. Buyers wanting walkability and proximity to campus often prefer Auburn. Buyers wanting newer homes or more space frequently consider Opelika.

Is Auburn walkable?

Many areas near downtown Auburn offer excellent walkability to restaurants, parks, shops, and community events.

Is Opelika far from Auburn University?

For many neighborhoods, the drive remains relatively short, making Opelika a popular choice for university employees.

Should I buy new construction?

New construction offers modern features, while established neighborhoods often provide mature landscaping and more established surroundings. The right choice depends on your priorities.

Do faculty members usually buy or rent?

Both. Some purchase immediately, while others rent first to become familiar with different neighborhoods before buying.

Explore More Relocation Resources

If you’re planning to move to Auburn, you may also enjoy these articles:

Move to Auburn: Never Mow Again or Never Clean Again?
Move to Auburn: What HOA Rule Drives You Crazy?
New Construction Homes for Sale in Auburn: Are They Always Better?
Homes for Sale in Auburn: Large Primary Bedroom or Large Living Room?
Homes for Sale in Auburn: Golf Course View or Lake View?

You may also find these official resources helpful:

Auburn University — https://www.auburn.edu
Auburn University School of Communication & Journalism — https://ocm.auburn.edu/academics/communication-journalism/
City of Auburn — https://www.auburnalabama.org
Auburn-Opelika Tourism — https://www.aotourism.com

Ready to Move to Auburn?

Relocating for a position at Auburn University’s School of Communication & Journalism is an exciting opportunity.

Whether you’re looking for a home near downtown Auburn, a quiet established neighborhood, or a newer home in Opelika, I’d be happy to help you compare communities, commute times, and lifestyles.

As an Auburn University graduate, I’ve proudly called the Auburn-Opelika area home since 1988 and have been helping buyers and sellers for more than 20 years as an Associate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate is proud to be the Official Real Estate Partner of the Auburn Tigers.

If you’re planning to move to Auburn, I’d love to help you find a home that fits not only your new job—but the life you want to build here.

I’m Laura Sellers, REALTOR®, serving Auburn and Opelika, Alabama.

334-332-7263

Homes, y’all!

REALTOR® Laura Sellers, Auburn, AL

Auburn Real Estate