Move to Auburn: Old Auburn or New Auburn?
Move to Auburn and one of the most interesting choices you may face is this: Would you rather live in old Auburn or new Auburn?
And by “old Auburn,” I don’t necessarily mean an old house.
I’m talking about the more established parts of Auburn — mature trees, older streets, homes with individual character, and locations that developed before Auburn expanded as much as it has.
Then there’s “new Auburn” — newer neighborhoods, newer construction, modern floor plans, growing areas and communities that simply didn’t exist when I first moved here.
I’ve lived in the Auburn area since 1988, so I’ve had a front-row seat to a tremendous amount of change.
Neither old Auburn nor new Auburn is automatically better.
The better choice is the one that fits the way you actually want to live.
Table of Contents
- What Do I Mean by Old Auburn?
- What Does New Auburn Offer?
- Old Auburn vs. New Auburn at a Glance
- Location and Auburn University
- Character vs. Newer Features
- Lot Size and Outdoor Space
- Maintenance and Renovations
- How to Decide Which Auburn Fits You
- Quick Q&A
What Do I Mean by “Old Auburn”?
When people decide to move to Auburn, they sometimes arrive with a picture in their minds of what Auburn is supposed to look like.
Maybe it’s a tree-lined street.
Maybe it’s a house with character.
Maybe it’s being relatively close to downtown Auburn and Auburn University.
Established Auburn can offer a sense of place that simply takes time to develop.
Mature landscaping doesn’t appear overnight. Neither does the individual character you often see when homes were built over different decades instead of all at once.
But older doesn’t automatically mean better — and it certainly doesn’t mean maintenance-free.
Depending on the individual property, an established home may have older systems, previous renovations, additions or features that deserve a closer look during your home search.
That’s why I want buyers to compare the actual house, not simply fall in love with the idea of an older neighborhood.
What Does “New Auburn” Offer?
Drive around Auburn today and you’ll see just how much the city has expanded.
Newer Auburn neighborhoods can offer something very different from established areas.
Depending on the community and individual home, buyers may find:
- More contemporary floor plans
- Open living areas
- Newer kitchens and bathrooms
- Larger primary suites
- Modern energy-related features
- Newer roofs, HVAC systems and major components
- Neighborhood amenities
- Sidewalks in some developments
- More recent construction standards
- Less immediate updating in some homes
If newer construction is important to you, you can explore current options through AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/) and compare them with established properties.
The key is not assuming that “new” automatically means perfect.
Every property still deserves careful evaluation.
Old Auburn vs. New Auburn at a Glance
| Consideration | Established Auburn | Newer Auburn |
|---|---|---|
| Home character | Often more individual architectural variety | Often more contemporary designs |
| Landscaping | May include mature trees and established yards | Landscaping may be younger |
| Floor plans | Can reflect the era when the home was built | Often designed around current preferences |
| Updates | May have renovations from different periods | May require fewer immediate cosmetic changes |
| Location | Some established areas are closer to central Auburn | Many newer developments are farther from the historic core |
| Maintenance | Older components may require attention | Major components may be newer |
| Neighborhood feel | Established streets and surroundings | Newer or still-developing surroundings |
| Lot | Varies significantly by neighborhood | Varies significantly by development |
This isn’t a scorecard.
It’s a way to figure out which compromises matter to you.
Move to Auburn and Think About Your Everyday Location
Move to Auburn and don’t choose a house based only on how it looks in photographs.
Think about where you’ll actually be going.
Auburn University (https://www.auburn.edu/) is obviously a major part of Auburn, and many of my relocation clients are moving here because of a connection to the university.
But “close to Auburn University” doesn’t mean exactly the same thing to everyone.
A faculty or staff member may care about the drive to a particular campus destination.
Someone else may care more about downtown Auburn.
Another buyer may happily drive farther in exchange for a newer home, different floor plan or more space.
If you’re relocating, my Move to Auburn guide (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/move-to-auburn-alabama/) is a good starting point for understanding some of the housing choices you’ll encounter.
Auburn University also describes Auburn as a growing East Alabama city where campus and community are closely connected.
That relationship between university and city is one reason I encourage buyers to think about daily routes, not simply mileage.
Would You Rather Have Character or Newer Features?
This is where the choice gets personal.
Imagine two houses.
One is in an established Auburn neighborhood. You love the trees, location and character, but the kitchen isn’t exactly what you would have chosen.
The other is newer. It has the kitchen, primary bathroom and open floor plan you love, but it’s farther from some of the places you’ll visit regularly.
Which one wins?
There is no universal answer.
I would ask you:
Which things can you change later — and which things can’t you change?
You can remodel a kitchen.
You can change flooring.
You can repaint.
You can replace light fixtures.
You cannot pick up your lot and move it three miles closer to where you wish you lived.
At the same time, remodeling costs real money. If you have absolutely no interest in taking on projects, a newer or already-updated property may make much more sense for you.
Don’t Forget About Auburn’s Established Neighborhoods
One of the advantages of searching with someone who actually knows Auburn is being able to compare areas rather than simply scrolling through individual listings.
I’ve lived here since 1988.
I’ve watched roads change, neighborhoods develop, shopping areas expand and Auburn University grow.
A buyer seeing Auburn for the first time doesn’t have that history — and I don’t expect them to.
That’s part of my job.
You can explore my Auburn Subdivisions and Neighborhoods directory (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/auburn-al-subdivisons/) to start comparing communities, housing styles and locations.
The directory includes communities from different periods of Auburn’s development, which makes it useful if you aren’t yet sure whether established or newer Auburn appeals to you.
Lot Size and Outdoor Space Can Change the Equation
Don’t assume older always means larger lot or newer always means smaller lot.
Auburn has too much variety for rules that simple.
Instead, tell me what you actually want.
Do you want:
- Mature trees?
- Less yard to maintain?
- Room for a dog?
- Outdoor entertaining space?
- A neighborhood amenity package?
- More privacy?
- Sidewalks?
- A particular type of garage?
- A main-level primary bedroom?
Those answers help us narrow the search much faster than simply saying, “I want a nice neighborhood.”
Maintenance Deserves a Place in the Decision
The charming established home may steal your heart.
Then we still need to look at the practical side.
How old is the roof?
What about the HVAC?
Have the electrical and plumbing systems been updated?
What renovations have been completed?
What might need attention after closing?
Newer homes have their own questions, too.
Quality, condition, warranties when applicable, drainage, lot characteristics, HOA requirements and construction details can still matter.
A home inspection and appropriate professional evaluations are important regardless of a property’s age.
What About Auburn Football and Game-Day Access?
For some buyers, this matters a lot.
For others, not at all.
If attending Auburn events is part of the reason you’re moving here, distance from central Auburn may play a bigger role in your decision.
Jordan-Hare Stadium (https://auburntigers.com/jordan-hare-stadium) sits at the heart of Auburn football, and game days can make Auburn feel very different from an ordinary weekday.
Some buyers love being close to that energy.
Others would rather enjoy it when they choose and then head home.
Neither answer is wrong.
It’s another reason I want to know how you plan to live in Auburn, not merely how many bedrooms you need.
Don’t Shop for Someone Else’s Version of Auburn
This may be the most important point.
A friend may tell you that you have to live close to downtown.
Someone else may tell you that new construction is the only way to go.
Another person may insist that you need a large yard.
But they’re not buying your house.
You are.
When I work with someone moving to Auburn, Alabama, I want to know what an ordinary Tuesday looks like.
Where are you driving?
How much house do you really want?
How much maintenance are you willing to handle?
Do you enjoy home projects?
Does a mature neighborhood appeal to you?
Would you rather have newer finishes?
How often will you go to Auburn University?
How important is downtown?
Those answers tell me much more than a generic wish list.
Could Opelika Belong in the Conversation?
Sometimes, yes.
A buyer who initially tells me, “I want Auburn,” may discover that an Opelika property deserves consideration once we start comparing actual houses, locations and budgets.
That doesn’t mean Opelika is automatically the better choice.
It means I don’t want to unnecessarily eliminate a property that might fit what you’re trying to accomplish.
Auburn and Opelika are neighboring cities, but they offer different housing choices and locations.
If your search expands, you can also explore Opelika Subdivisions and Neighborhoods (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/opelika-al-subdivisions/).
Seven Questions to Ask Before Choosing Old or New Auburn
1. How important is proximity to Auburn University?
Think about your actual destination and frequency of travel.
2. Do I want a home that’s already updated?
Be realistic about your willingness and budget for projects.
3. How much does mature landscaping matter to me?
Some buyers love established trees and yards. Others don’t care.
4. What kind of floor plan do I want?
Older and newer homes may offer very different layouts.
5. How much maintenance am I comfortable handling?
Consider both the house and yard.
6. Would I trade location for newer construction or additional features?
This can dramatically change your search.
7. What do I want my ordinary day in Auburn to feel like?
This may be the best question of all.
Quick Q&A: Moving to Auburn, Alabama
Is an older Auburn home better than new construction?
Not necessarily. The right choice depends on the individual property, location, condition, floor plan, price and your priorities.
Are older Auburn neighborhoods closer to Auburn University?
Some established areas are relatively close to central Auburn and Auburn University, but distance varies considerably. Always evaluate the specific property and your actual destination.
Does Auburn have new construction?
Yes. New-construction opportunities can be found in Auburn and the surrounding Auburn-Opelika market, although availability changes.
Should I choose location or a newer house?
Think about which compromises affect your everyday life most. Cosmetic features can often be changed later; location cannot.
Can you help me compare Auburn neighborhoods?
Yes. That’s one of the most useful things we can do before narrowing the search to individual houses.
Should someone moving to Auburn also consider Opelika?
It can be worthwhile depending on your budget, commute, desired home style and location priorities. I help buyers compare both cities when appropriate.
Where can I see Auburn homes for sale?
Visit AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/) to search current Auburn and Opelika real estate listings and explore local communities.
Old Auburn or New Auburn — Which Would You Choose?
I have a soft spot for the Auburn I’ve known for decades.
But if you’re buying a home, this isn’t about choosing my Auburn.
It’s about finding your Auburn.
Maybe that’s an established street with mature trees and a house with character.
Maybe it’s a newer neighborhood with a modern floor plan and newer finishes.
Maybe you won’t know until you see both.
That’s okay.
If you’re planning to move to Auburn, I’ll help you compare the homes, neighborhoods, commute, campus access and everyday practical differences so you can make a decision based on the way you actually want to live.
I’m Laura Sellers, an Auburn University alumna who has lived in the Auburn area since 1988. I’ve been a REALTOR® for more than 20 years and am an Associate Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate — the Official Real Estate Partner of the Auburn Tigers.
Moving to Auburn, Alabama? Let’s talk before you start narrowing down neighborhoods.
Call or text Laura Sellers: 334-332-7263
AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com (https://auburnopelikaalrealestate.com/)
Homes, y’all!
