First post here. I'm a college student here and With a population of 78,738, Auburn is a smaller city. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. What are your go-to spots? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
3 upvotes
6 Replies
Daniel Evans
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Zoey Miller
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 52, moved here 2 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Can feel isolated
3. The food scene situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
35 upvotes
Chloe Martinez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 9 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The North side vs the Downtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
29 upvotes
Luke J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Atlanta about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are manageable, gas is decent.
Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Caroline A.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Weston D.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 7 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the dating scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.