Housing woes? Campus resources help students find ‘home’

You’ve been accepted to Auburn, and you’re excited to be a Tiger. You’ve applied for scholarships and registered for Camp War Eagle, and now, it’s time to figure out where you’re going to live in August. 

For first-year and transfer students, living on campus is not guaranteed, and some may feel overwhelmed at the thought of researching the town’s many student apartment options.  

But now, University Housing has hired Allison Roosa as its first community housing coordinator to help families navigate the search for a place to call home. 

Roosa, who previously worked in housing at Kansas State University, is a friendly face for families grappling with housing options, and she’s not fazed by the questions she gets from concerned parents. So, what are some of her best tips? 

Start at the very beginning 

Roosa recommends you begin your housing search by visiting Housing’s Student Housing Locator website. The website is updated by the property owners themselves and features photos, pricing, information on amenities and current availability. There are apartment complexes, houses and duplexes of every shape and size, and there also is a built-in roommate matching application for students to find roommates in student apartments.  

“There’s so much variety, which is great, because you have the freshmen coming in who want new shiny buildings that are identical to the residence halls, and then you’ll have graduate students who don’t mind an older building in a quiet neighborhood a little farther away from campus,” Roosa said. “There are quite a few properties, and there’s something for everyone’s budget and needs.”

Give Housing a call 

Some parents who are feeling overwhelmed by the number of options may find it easier to talk to a live person. That’s why Roosa and the Housing Ambassadors are standing by at 334-844-4580 to take their calls. They have updated apartment availability at their fingertips and can recommend housing options based on a caller’s needs.  

“It’s easy to get in touch with us,” Roosa said. “We’re here every day from 7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m., and we’re always happy to share our knowledge of the housing options and the community. We’re also easy to get ahold of via e-mail. 

What if you just really wanted to live in a residence hall? 

Some students feel residence hall life is central to the Auburn student experience. However, many parents who have sent their children off to college will say whether you live on campus or off, the best way to ensure a positive experience is to get involved. 

Auburn parent Mary Jo Harp, who has five college-aged children, said the connections students make on campus is up to them. 

“Auburn is touted as having the happiest students in the country, and I think a lot of that is because of how the community brings people together, whether it’s through their housing or student organizations or through their colleges and majors,” Harp said. “It’s important that families be open-minded and just see what doors open. Then, it’s up to the students to make the most of it, and the more involved and invested they are, the more they will thrive and enjoy college.” 

Roosa said student apartments are filled with undergrads who want to make new friends. She recommends those concerned about connecting with others find a property that offers community-building events.  

“A lot of places here offer resident life events that are opportunities to make new friendships,” she said. “They’ll offer pizza night or movie night to get their residents together to socialize and bond — just like they do in the residence halls. It’s important to make connections with others, but that responsibility is up to the student, regardless of where they live.” 

Getting around 

For those living in student apartments, getting to class is a breeze with Tiger Transit. Most properties listed on the Student Housing Locator website have a dedicated transit stop with direct routes to and from campus. The Tiger Transit system, which carried 1.8 million students last year, has an interactive website that allows visitors to isolate transit lines and see exactly where buses stop.  

But Lindsey Sharpe, assistant director at University Housing, said most people don’t realize the town is walkable.  

“Auburn is such a close-knit community, and it’s so easy to get around,” she said. “There are retailers like Publix, Target and CVS all located in and around downtown Auburn and campus.” 

One thing locals want you to know is they are really happy to have students living here in town, whether in a campus residence hall or in student housing in the community. 

“Auburn is a warm, welcoming community — and above all, a safe one,” said Mayor Ron Anders, a 1986 Auburn alumnus. “We hope students enjoy all the convenience and Southern hospitality Auburn has to offer and feel right at home knowing their well-being is our priority.”