Auburn Neighborhoods: Walkable Location or More Land?

Auburn neighborhoods can offer very different lifestyles, and one of the biggest decisions when buying a home in Auburn, Alabama, may be surprisingly simple: Would you rather be closer to everything, or would you rather have more land?

For many buyers, especially those moving to Auburn from another city or state, this question can help narrow the home search quickly.

Some buyers love the idea of being closer to Downtown Auburn, Auburn University, restaurants, shopping, football weekends, and everyday conveniences. Others would happily drive a little farther in exchange for a larger yard, more privacy, and more breathing room.

There isn’t a universally better choice. The better choice is the one that fits the way you actually want to live.

Auburn Neighborhoods Can Offer Very Different Lifestyles

Auburn has grown tremendously since I moved here in 1988.

As the city has expanded, buyers have gained more choices in where and how they live. That also means two homes with similar prices and square footage can provide completely different lifestyles depending on their locations.

A home closer to the center of Auburn may offer convenient access to places you visit regularly.

A property farther from the center of town may offer something entirely different: more yard, additional privacy, or simply more distance between neighboring homes.

Before becoming attached to a particular house, think about which lifestyle matters more to you.

Want a More Walkable Auburn Location?

For some buyers, location is the priority.

Being closer to Downtown Auburn or Auburn University (https://www.auburn.edu/) may put you nearer to restaurants, shops, campus activities, and community events.

Auburn football can also change the equation.

Living relatively close to Jordan-Hare Stadium (https://auburntigers.com/jordan-hare-stadium) may appeal to buyers who enjoy Auburn University football and want convenient access to game-day activities.

However, “walkable” means different things to different people.

One buyer may consider a 20-minute walk easy. Another may want restaurants and shopping only a few blocks away.

Before buying, consider:

• Where would you actually walk?
• How far are you comfortable walking?
• Are sidewalks available along your expected route?
• Will hills or busy roads affect the walk?
• How important is walking during hot Alabama summers?
• Will Auburn football weekends affect your routine?

Never assume a property is walkable simply because it looks close on a map.

Drive it. Walk it when practical. Look at the actual route.

Would You Rather Have More Land?

Other buyers tell me almost immediately that they want space.

They may want:

• A larger yard
• More distance between homes
• Room for outdoor activities
• Additional privacy
• Space for pets
• A garden
• Fewer homes immediately surrounding them

In that situation, expanding the search beyond Auburn’s more central locations can open additional possibilities.

The tradeoff may be additional driving.

That doesn’t automatically make one choice better than another. Some people would much rather spend several extra minutes in the car if it means coming home to more space.

Others would sacrifice yard size in a heartbeat to be closer to the places they visit most often.

Moving to Auburn? Think Beyond the House

When someone is relocating to Auburn, it’s easy to start with bedrooms, bathrooms, price, and square footage.

Those things matter.

But I encourage buyers to also think about Tuesday afternoon.

Not just football Saturday.

Where will you buy groceries?

How long will it take to get to work?

Would you actually use a large yard?

Would you enjoy being able to walk somewhere?

Would you rather have a little more distance from the busiest parts of town?

If school information is part of your research, buyers can review information directly through Auburn City Schools (https://www.auburnschools.org//) rather than relying solely on real estate advertisements or third-party descriptions.

Local Auburn Real Estate 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.

I’ve watched Auburn change and grow for decades. When you’re moving here, I can help you look beyond the photographs and compare how different locations may actually fit your day-to-day life.

Ready to Find Your Place in Auburn?

Whether your dream is walking closer to the action or coming home to a bigger piece of land, let’s find the Auburn home and location that make sense for you.

Laura Sellers, Associate Broker, REALTOR®
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate
 334-332-7263
 AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com

Homes, y’all!