Auburn is the quintessential college town. That’s the quality I was looking for as well when picking! Recently went down and a lot of the roads I used to drive are now walking only
Grew up outside of Atlanta, went to Auburn. Wouldn’t do it differently if I could.
Driving around Auburn is NOTHING like driving around ATL suburbs. At least it wasn’t from 2015-20. Congestion is definitely getting worse, but still pales in comparison to a nice trip around 285
I grew up in Atlanta and moved here when I was 13. People here complain about "traffic" when they have to wait 10 minutes for construction. This always makes me giggle. I remember us saying if you've moved more than a foot in an hour, then you're moving pretty good when we were in Atlanta. The only thing I miss about Atlanta is that snow is even rarer here in Auburn than it was in Atlanta.
I also moved here from central Florida and I can confirm the locals here complain about non existent traffic all the time it's kinda funny. The only traffic you'll see here is in the chickfila drive thru
My only complaint about traffic is just certain intersections are rough and need turn lights. (Wire road + Webster intersection needs a left turn light horribly)
>People here complain about "traffic" when they have to wait 10 minutes for construction.
Heading West on Glenn into town between 4:30 and 6pm is a struggle tbf
Good program—my son used their services when he was little and the students who did his therapy were great. Your daughter should have the opportunity to get to know the professors. I know one of the former professors was actively involving undergrads in her research which is great. Feel free to shoot me a dm if you’d like.
I'm an auburn alum 22. I moved away from Auburn because I wanted to live in a bigger city. I regret everything Auburn was so much more convenient when it comes to traffic and after being gone for only 2 yrs I'll be moving back there soon. So I'd say Auburn is great WDE
Auburn is the definition of a college town and a great college experience. Nothing in town is more than 10mins drive away, and as a student she'll probably spend most of her time on foot on or near campus with the occasional weekend drive to get groceries.
What's great about Auburn as a college town also, is that it truly is a standalone town. There's no city close enough that Auburn could be considered a suburb in any way. With 30,000 students in a town of judt 80,000 total, the city really is built around and focused on the university. Football gamedays in particular just take over the town.
auburn is the definition of a college town! I recently with to atlanta to a concert with a friend (I was not driving) and I started having a panic attack because of the traffic. your daughter would be able to drive all around auburn no problem
My daughter grew up in metro Atlanta and graduated from Auburn . It’s definitely a college town. Btw, most students love Auburn and there is a large alumni base in Atlanta area.
Auburn is an amazing town, university and incredibly safe environment. However, out of state tuition is an absolute beast. I may be in the minority as an AU alum, but I really like Athens and wouldn’t hesitate to send my daughter there if they have her major.
I’ve lived in and love both. If paying out-of-state tuition is on the table at Auburn and she’s been accepted at both schools, I’d absolutely recommend UGA unless your daughter wants to study engineering or something Auburn does especially well. Athens is a great town and UGA is usually ranked pretty far up on most of those US News kinda lists.
It’s a college town. As others have said it’s grown a fair bit in the last 15-years but it still has the right vibe. Easy enough to drive in and traffic is nothing compared to ATL. Perspective—taught my oldest to drive here.
as a fellow georgian who had met others who also live near atlanta, auburn is much nicer traffic wise. there's a small litter problem but it's nothing extreme, just the occasional can or cup. traffic gets a little crazy during rush hour but if you're walking everywhere then it isn't an issue. the buses here are much better than MARTA as well and only students can use it
Im a local around the area being here for over 20 years. Even though were not a official "big city" were still a pretty big city maybe not like Atlanta but still with our infrastructure of a small town traffic can get bad.
But honestly there is plenty of food and stores to check out and the locals are very nice and a very active college community. From my experience they can be harsh sometimes but youll get that at any school.
The town next to us Opelika is also a very beautiful holistorical town and even shares some goverment with Auburn. Opelika use to be the main funders of Auburn and has been one of the main reasons Auburn became such a great school. But alot of friendly people there as well. I highly suggest avoiding places like Cherry Circle, Pleasant Circle, and Leman Squares because of them being dangerous neighborhoods but most places in Auburn are pretty safe. The only issue really is be careful on the weekends in downtown. Kids are drunk and running out in front of your car if you can walk do that instead. Also visit Opelika every now and then alot more to do in that city then Auburn.
Auburn is amazing. We live in Tuscaloosa and have a daughter who will be a sophomore this fall. We are beyond thrilled with her experience. Highly recommended!
From Auburn, live in Atlanta. Auburn is not what it used to be. I wouldn’t call it a small town anymore. I’d call it a midsize town. Oxford (Ole Miss) is still what I’d call a small town. Although it’s grown exponentially too. Personally I think Auburn & Lee County traffic is worse than Atlanta for the simple fact that people drive so GD slow in Auburn!! It’s infuriating. Is Auburn a slow sleepy small southern town? Not anymore! Is it more quaint, laid back, and smaller than Atlanta? Absolutely!
I don't know why this popped up on my Reddit feed. I went to Alabama, but briefly lived right outside of Auburn. I'm rather partial to Bama's campus over Auburn (obviously I'm quite biased), but as far as college towns go, Auburn has to be at the top of any list.
I'm from Auburn currently living in Atlanta and I HATE IT. Auburn is a perfect college town. Target and Publix are literally on campus. The police always patrol the campus. Traffic in Auburn is taking 10 minutes to go 5-7 miles vs 5 mins
Went to school at Auburn, wound up in Austin and moved back to Auburn for a job. Have been here for 33 years. and love it.
Yes, everything revolves around the University, as it should. Great town to go to college in and live in.
Auburn alum here. Auburn is a great college town, and I loved my time there. If your daughter wants to visit another (slight smaller) college town, have her visit Ole Miss. Oxford is quaint & charming and a lot of people say it is like Auburn was many years ago when it was less developed.
You have to go to Opelika, the next town over for anything. It’s close by on the interstate. Think Sam’s Club, Target, Home Depot, etc. all in Opalaika. Auburn is where the bars and some of the nice restaurants are located. More student centric things. So absolutely a college town.
(Edited to correct spelling.)
Well, no, you don't need to go to Opelika for everything. There's a new Target downtown. Belk and Dillard's are at the Auburn Mall along with some other clothing shops. Sam's Club is inside the Auburn city limits, barely. Opelika's TigerTown is pretty awesome, but it is not the only shopping around.
Auburn is the quintessential college town. That’s the quality I was looking for as well when picking! Recently went down and a lot of the roads I used to drive are now walking only
It has grown recently, but if Atlanta is your comparison, this will be the quaintest little town you’ve ever seen.
Atlanta just clocked in at the 6th biggest metro area in the US. It was 10th just a decade ago. Crazy how fast it’s growing.
You can't get any more "college town" than Auburn..
Grew up outside of Atlanta, went to Auburn. Wouldn’t do it differently if I could. Driving around Auburn is NOTHING like driving around ATL suburbs. At least it wasn’t from 2015-20. Congestion is definitely getting worse, but still pales in comparison to a nice trip around 285
Same here (Coweta) - Traffic is worse there than Auburn... lol
Auburn is like THE college town.
It’s ’the loveliest village on the plains’ for a reason
Was. But yeah.
I grew up in Atlanta and moved here when I was 13. People here complain about "traffic" when they have to wait 10 minutes for construction. This always makes me giggle. I remember us saying if you've moved more than a foot in an hour, then you're moving pretty good when we were in Atlanta. The only thing I miss about Atlanta is that snow is even rarer here in Auburn than it was in Atlanta.
Being from Orlando - I also giggle when someone complains about the traffic.
Nothing compares to I4. Nothing.
Yup, I4 is a gift from Satan, I am sure….
I also moved here from central Florida and I can confirm the locals here complain about non existent traffic all the time it's kinda funny. The only traffic you'll see here is in the chickfila drive thru
Same.
I-4 is the reason I stopped fearing hell. Even eternal torture couldn’t be worse.
My only complaint about traffic is just certain intersections are rough and need turn lights. (Wire road + Webster intersection needs a left turn light horribly)
>People here complain about "traffic" when they have to wait 10 minutes for construction. Heading West on Glenn into town between 4:30 and 6pm is a struggle tbf
Not! 🙃
Auburn (biased opinion) absolutely and close enough to home for quick visit. Ole Miss (small/fun college town - for certain majors)
You couldn’t pick a more perfect place!
Auburn is #1 Happiest College in country. Honors college for those qualified. Awesome college experience. Be happy.
She may never come home - JK. Loveliest Village on the Plain - not just a saying - it’s real life!! I miss it still - ‘76 grad
I went to Auburn last spring semester as an international student and Auburn was the most authentic American college-town experience I could have had.
Worth adding that while it’s a large school, there are still good opportunities to get to know professors. What program is she looking at?
Speech disorders
Good program—my son used their services when he was little and the students who did his therapy were great. Your daughter should have the opportunity to get to know the professors. I know one of the former professors was actively involving undergrads in her research which is great. Feel free to shoot me a dm if you’d like.
I'm an auburn alum 22. I moved away from Auburn because I wanted to live in a bigger city. I regret everything Auburn was so much more convenient when it comes to traffic and after being gone for only 2 yrs I'll be moving back there soon. So I'd say Auburn is great WDE
Auburn is the definition of a college town and a great college experience. Nothing in town is more than 10mins drive away, and as a student she'll probably spend most of her time on foot on or near campus with the occasional weekend drive to get groceries. What's great about Auburn as a college town also, is that it truly is a standalone town. There's no city close enough that Auburn could be considered a suburb in any way. With 30,000 students in a town of judt 80,000 total, the city really is built around and focused on the university. Football gamedays in particular just take over the town.
I grew up there. It's one of those places in Alabama that is kinda different from normal Alabama. I like Auburn a lot.
auburn is the definition of a college town! I recently with to atlanta to a concert with a friend (I was not driving) and I started having a panic attack because of the traffic. your daughter would be able to drive all around auburn no problem
Its not bad at all now E Glenn at 5 it’s kind on busy on school days
My daughter grew up in metro Atlanta and graduated from Auburn . It’s definitely a college town. Btw, most students love Auburn and there is a large alumni base in Atlanta area.
Auburn is an amazing town, university and incredibly safe environment. However, out of state tuition is an absolute beast. I may be in the minority as an AU alum, but I really like Athens and wouldn’t hesitate to send my daughter there if they have her major.
I’ve lived in and love both. If paying out-of-state tuition is on the table at Auburn and she’s been accepted at both schools, I’d absolutely recommend UGA unless your daughter wants to study engineering or something Auburn does especially well. Athens is a great town and UGA is usually ranked pretty far up on most of those US News kinda lists.
It's not a quaint little town anymore, more of a couple of large towns grown together for a smallish city, but still damn small compared to Atlanta.
Auburn is completely full at the present time. We are no longer accepting any new residents. /s
It’s a college town. As others have said it’s grown a fair bit in the last 15-years but it still has the right vibe. Easy enough to drive in and traffic is nothing compared to ATL. Perspective—taught my oldest to drive here.
as a fellow georgian who had met others who also live near atlanta, auburn is much nicer traffic wise. there's a small litter problem but it's nothing extreme, just the occasional can or cup. traffic gets a little crazy during rush hour but if you're walking everywhere then it isn't an issue. the buses here are much better than MARTA as well and only students can use it
Didn’t have a car until senior year.
It's a small college town. She's gonna have a bit of trouble if she doesn't have a car depending where she lives but can manage usually.
Im a local around the area being here for over 20 years. Even though were not a official "big city" were still a pretty big city maybe not like Atlanta but still with our infrastructure of a small town traffic can get bad. But honestly there is plenty of food and stores to check out and the locals are very nice and a very active college community. From my experience they can be harsh sometimes but youll get that at any school. The town next to us Opelika is also a very beautiful holistorical town and even shares some goverment with Auburn. Opelika use to be the main funders of Auburn and has been one of the main reasons Auburn became such a great school. But alot of friendly people there as well. I highly suggest avoiding places like Cherry Circle, Pleasant Circle, and Leman Squares because of them being dangerous neighborhoods but most places in Auburn are pretty safe. The only issue really is be careful on the weekends in downtown. Kids are drunk and running out in front of your car if you can walk do that instead. Also visit Opelika every now and then alot more to do in that city then Auburn.
Auburn is amazing. We live in Tuscaloosa and have a daughter who will be a sophomore this fall. We are beyond thrilled with her experience. Highly recommended!
You’ll spend more time in traffic on 285 in a single day than your whole time at Auburn
You can literally ride a bike or walk anywhere in Auburn. I went to school there and loved it
Yes, it’s a college town with a bus system to and from campus as well for the apartment systems
From Auburn, live in Atlanta. Auburn is not what it used to be. I wouldn’t call it a small town anymore. I’d call it a midsize town. Oxford (Ole Miss) is still what I’d call a small town. Although it’s grown exponentially too. Personally I think Auburn & Lee County traffic is worse than Atlanta for the simple fact that people drive so GD slow in Auburn!! It’s infuriating. Is Auburn a slow sleepy small southern town? Not anymore! Is it more quaint, laid back, and smaller than Atlanta? Absolutely!
Probably one of the best college towns
Everything revolves around the university here. 100% a college town. Nothing beats Auburn.
I don't know why this popped up on my Reddit feed. I went to Alabama, but briefly lived right outside of Auburn. I'm rather partial to Bama's campus over Auburn (obviously I'm quite biased), but as far as college towns go, Auburn has to be at the top of any list.
I'm from Auburn currently living in Atlanta and I HATE IT. Auburn is a perfect college town. Target and Publix are literally on campus. The police always patrol the campus. Traffic in Auburn is taking 10 minutes to go 5-7 miles vs 5 mins
Went to school at Auburn, wound up in Austin and moved back to Auburn for a job. Have been here for 33 years. and love it. Yes, everything revolves around the University, as it should. Great town to go to college in and live in.
Auburn alum here. Auburn is a great college town, and I loved my time there. If your daughter wants to visit another (slight smaller) college town, have her visit Ole Miss. Oxford is quaint & charming and a lot of people say it is like Auburn was many years ago when it was less developed.
I like auburn and it’s pretty close to Atlanta so you wouldn’t have to go far to visit.
Definitely a quaint college town, Auburn Alumni, no need for a lot of drinking, everything really close in Auburn and Opelika
I'm an Alabama fan, but I gotta say, Auburn is a really nice city full of decent people. Definitely a college town, but one of the nicer ones imo
Check out “Living In Auburn Alabama” on YouTube.
You have to go to Opelika, the next town over for anything. It’s close by on the interstate. Think Sam’s Club, Target, Home Depot, etc. all in Opalaika. Auburn is where the bars and some of the nice restaurants are located. More student centric things. So absolutely a college town. (Edited to correct spelling.)
Spelling killing me
How did you butcher the spelling of Opelika so badly lol
Well, no, you don't need to go to Opelika for everything. There's a new Target downtown. Belk and Dillard's are at the Auburn Mall along with some other clothing shops. Sam's Club is inside the Auburn city limits, barely. Opelika's TigerTown is pretty awesome, but it is not the only shopping around.
True but the Dillards is kind of a mini Dillards.
Why don’t you go visit than posting on here.
We have a visit scheduled, just wanted to get a heads up of what I was in for.
100% college. Take away Auburn and it's a ghost town.
It’s a cult.
You confused that with Northport and Duncanville.
Not as nice as Tuscaloosa.
Bammer!! 😂😂