By Rebecca Vo, Admissions Advisor
Here at Auburn University, we have many different on-campus residence halls. However, there are countless off campus living options too. When making your decision, it’s important to keep in mind what you want from your first-year experience. While you may think that living on-campus in a suite style residence hall is the only way to get plugged into the Auburn family, there are still ample opportunities for community-building no matter what type of living style you choose. We hope that you’ll take the time to explore all your options.

On-Campus Housing: Suite Style
When picturing college on-campus living, a suite style residence hall is probably the first thing that comes to mind. In a suite style residence hall, you will share a room with another person, and the two of you will then share a connected bathroom with two other students. At Auburn, The Hill and The Quad communities are configured this way. When you decide to live in one of these communities, you will have the opportunity to build strong bonds with your roommates, suitemates, and other members of the hall. There are study and common areas that students congregate in frequently, and Resident Assistants are active parts of the community, planning programs for students to make connections and engage with one another. You will also make full use of your meal plan, as these residence halls don’t have kitchens in individual rooms.
While community is at the center of suite-style living, it can also provide some opportunities for growth if you’re not used to living with others. Communication is key in a suite-style residence hall so that you avoid disagreements over subjects like cleanliness levels and who’s turning out the lights every night. While it can take some time to adjust to sharing a space with someone, it’s a great way to grow as a communicator and build tight-knit bonds throughout your first year on campus.

On-Campus Housing: Apartment Style
The next option to evaluate when looking at on-campus living is apartment style residence halls. At Auburn, South Donahue and The Village are our apartment style communities. With these residence halls you will be in an apartment with either one or three other people. Every student has their own room, but they share a bathroom with one other individual. These spaces also feature a common living area with a sofa and an armchair, and a small kitchenette that includes a microwave, refrigerator, sink, and counter and cabinet space.
Key benefits of living in The Village or South Donahue include having a larger space to host group hangouts, more storage areas, and the opportunity to have a little more control over your diet. While there isn’t a full kitchen within the on-campus apartment style residence halls, you are allowed to have small appliances like air fryers, toaster ovens, crock pots, and more. The full list of approved appliances can be found on the Housing website.
With a different style of living comes a different set of challenges. While you get your own room in these residential communities, there are still conflicts that can arise when it comes to allowing visitors and keeping the common areas clean. You may also have less connection with others outside of your apartment. However, you can still form close relationships with your roommates without the potential added stress of sharing a bedroom with them. Apartment style residence halls are also staffed by Resident Assistants who assist with community-building activities and upholding university policy.


Somewhere in the Middle: Auburn University Affiliate Housing
Since Auburn, Alabama, is a college town, we have the unique opportunity of partnering with local apartment complexes to house students who want the off-campus living experience but the on-campus living resources. These affiliate housing complexes are off campus by their location, but they are still managed by Auburn University housing staff. These communities also have Resident Assistants to help students build community and engage with one another.
Auburn currently has three university-affiliated housing complexes: 160 Ross, The Union, and 191 College. All these apartment complexes are like our on-campus apartment style housing, with the apartments being furnished and students having their own bedrooms and a shared kitchen and living area. The main difference between on-campus apartment style residence halls and affiliate housing complexes is the kitchen. You’ll find a stove and an oven in these apartments, which gives you the freedom to fully cook for yourself and your roommates.
Aside from having a full kitchen, the other benefits of living in an affiliate housing complex includes extra amenities like pools, fitness centers, and an in-unit washer and dryer. However, with extra amenities comes extra costs. They are also a bit further away from campus compared to on-campus housing options, so be ready to walk or use Tiger Transit more often than you would if you lived in an on-campus residence hall.
Off-Campus Housing: Options Abound
Even if you decide to pursue off-campus housing, there are plenty of options in the Auburn and Opelika areas. Many students choose to live in an apartment complex, but there are also other options like house rentals, townhomes, and mobile home parks. There is a website to find rentals available specifically for Auburn students – you can find that at offcampushousing.auburn.edu/housing. With the sheer number of properties in Auburn, you may find that your off-campus housing option is closer to some of your classes than your on-campus housing assignment!
Remember, choosing to live on or off campus for your first year of college is all about evaluating what you want out of your first-year experience. Regardless of where you live during your first year, you can still join campus organizations, attend events, get to know your classmates and professors, and do so much more to find your family within the Auburn family.





















