Tuscaloosa/Auburn

[san phlegmatico]

Ad hominem attacks are the device of choice for Aubs such as cpg.

Dignity, esteem, reason: these are the attributes of most UA graduates. And we refrain from the employment of logical fallacies. Our vices are in our penchant for abstract notions and meandering discourse. We don't live in a literal, monomaniacal, Apollonian world. Our rationalism transcends the mundane and banal. Sure, we love our football; but its the Aubs who fixate on one particular pigskin past time -- it is they who have constructed their identities and university identity around the ways of modern-day Gladiators. Our school plays big-time football and we throw beaucoup resources its way (and it just so happens ours is of a superior brand of football at that -- proven over many many decades of distinguishment on the field). We indulge in the spectacle, the gameday debauchery, the hero-worship... But we are about so much more!

The Bear is a folk hero to some, icon to others -- parse it as you may. But our Bear is not unlike Ole Miss, who has William Faulkner; Virginia, who has Dave Matthews and Thomas Jefferson; Georgia, who has the members of R.E.M.; Florida State has Burt Reynolds; Yale, who has a a host of famous statesmen; Notre Dame, who has Knute Rockne...

If Bear had been the Auburn coach, his likeness would be omnipresent today on every billboard and building facade in Auburn-Opelika. T'would be a veritable hybrid of the YellaWood guy meets the Ayatollah. Swap houndstooth for flannel; Lincoln Town Car for a tractor; coach for messiah. That sucker'd be everywhere.

Your bit about the football-crazies converging on Tuscaloosa is a vain attempt to lump the entire city and student/faculty population into the same bag as the sidewalk alumni, tourists (game attendees), and hangers-on -- which compose a substantial, but nevertheless, only a segment of the Alabama Nation.

AU people belittle UA by denigrating its football fans, football culture, and recent football program's woes: all a ploy to divert the argument away from sure losers such as arguments concerning culture, scholasticism, high society, art collections, and general "collegiateness."

Certainly Tuscaloosa and The University house its share of rejects from the casting calls of Hee-Haw; they are but a swath, though, in the colorful mosaic that are Tuscaloosa and The University. Crimson, red, white, gray, and oh-so-many-more CoLoRs!!

When you are THE state university, you have to represent the elements comprising your state. So, if you have a beef with some of whom UA is representing, take it up with your fellow Alabamians. I would understand such a beef -- of residing in and amongst an inordinate sum of ignorant, vulgar, rednecks: hence, I try to live far away from Alabama whenever I am able.

And you should understand beef -- you're an Aub.

You're rebuttals always leave me wonderin': Where's the Beef?!

SP

[coloradocutter]

Calm down, guys. I knew I couldn't ask this question without starting the Roll Tide/War Eagles chant. I am so glad that I don't have a dog in this fight - I am UNC-Chapel Hill grad, so I just worry about b-ball. I know my football team sucks.

On academics, without going into more detail, this is a doctoral program and I am applying to work with specific faculty at both - the overall program at UA is probably more respected but only slightly and in this field it doesn't matter that much, but the faculty member at AU is probably a better fit and has a better reputation.

I really was asking about general feel of the towns. I get the sense that Auburn might be closer to more recreational opps (walking trails, lakes, etc.) but I can't tell. Does either town have parks? What about general feel of the town? Which one is the least like Gainesville, FL. I hate that town. I had an option to go to grad school there, and I couldn't bring myself to go. No offense to any gator fans, but it is a $*%hole.

My husband is hoping for Auburn because he wants to be nearer to his dad in Panama City but not sacrificing being near his sisters in B-ham - but clearly he is not thinking about making $ because I don't think he is going to find employment in Auburn, Columbus, GA and don't think he wants to commute to B-ham, Atlanta, or P-C from there... he is forgetting about that.

[MullinsCurve]

Colorado,

If you are considering Auburn, it is within commuting distance to Montgomery, which could support appropriate employment opportunities. This is especially so, provided you try to live west of Auburn, possibly spliting the commute. My cousin commutes with several other women everyday to Montgomery from Auburn (the city, not the campus).

I am one of these people,

stump-necked, gap-tooth, knuckle-dragging, polyester-wearing, stoop-gait, slack-jawed, biscuit-eating, cousin-kissing, book-burning, trailer-living, NASCAR-watching, backwoods lackwits that call themselves the 'Bama Nation

so gently described by CPG, as I enjoy seeing the Crimson and White, although to the best of my knowledge, I have none of the attributes used by CPG to describe me or my family. You've probably figured out that you can substitute "Auburn Nation" for "Bama Nation" in the above quote, depending on who is talking. Pay it no attention. There are those who cannot seperate academics from athletics. Both are good schools and I would not mind sending my daughters to the West Opelika school for an education, just as long as they know who to cheer for on Saturday.

I trust that others can provide you with the information you seeking, which concerns the schools and not the football rivalry. I cannot, as I am a graduate of a more mundane school of higher learning that sits astraddle US 231, in Pike County.

[pennquaker09]

Originally Posted by san phlegmatico

Auburn graduates are infamous for proclaiming their superiority in academics. It simply isn't the case. Reality is closer to the opposite: Generally speaking, as per the overall intellectual and academic climate, The University of Alabama (in Tuscaloosa) is the best educational experience the state has to offer. It is not to be confused with the ilk of an Ivy League institution, but it is what it is nonetheless: the state's capstone university.

Granted, there are some degree programs at UAB and Auburn -- undergrad as well as grad -- that certainly exceed their counterparts at UA. But broad-brushing, UA has more distinguished schools and programs; more distinguished students and faculty.

Incredibly, the egregious myths propagated by the Napoleon-complected, redheaded stepchildren of Auburn can often be debunked within the actual text of the statements themselves. To wit:

You mean "sense," don't you Aubie? "Would be"? If you were proclaiming a definitive, shouldn't you say it "is"? Are you equivocating or aren't you convinced??


By the way, O.P., the AU stands for AUdacity.

Tuscaloosa is also the superior college town as per resources, cosmopolitanism, and culture. It just might be its southern, eclectic dynamism which raises its nucleus, UA, above the fray. Tuscaloosa and the university: equal parts progressive (relative to the rest of the state at-large) and traditional, diverse yet composed of certain unique fibers. A perfect marriage of town and gown.

Full disclosure: I graduated from UA. But that fact isn't biasing this post; look at it this way: I would have attended Auburn if I thought it were the stronger institution.

Always keep in mind: The University of Alabama is THE state's capstone university. It's not just an ad slogan; it's the hard truth.

SP

Well, actually, I attended UA and I graduated from Tulane and you took my post WAAAAAY too serious. I was just typing and getting the thought out, but I did notice my mistake, but it's not that serious.

However, if you really want to know, there are other schools in the state that one can attend and get a better education than they would have at Auburn or Alabama. For example, an engineering degree from UAH is loads better than one from Alabama or Auburn. The college of education at UNA is arguably the best in the state, so quit your whining.

And Alabama pretty much accepts anyone. I'm not saying that as a knock to Alabama, but Auburn has always had higher standards.

[san phlegmatico]

I really was asking about general feel of the towns. I get the sense that Auburn might be closer to more recreational opps (walking trails, lakes, etc.) but I can't tell. Does either town have parks? What about general feel of the town?

I'm not going to do a point by point, though I could. But I would be seen to favor Tuscaloosa on all counts. So, I'll do this...

General

Auburn is all-in-all more rural and countrified; Tuscaloosa more contemporary, city-like. Rednecks abound in both. College life and the college-based economy predominates more in Auburn; whereas Tuscaloosa is more diversified and transcends UA. Though both qualify as "college towns."

Tuscaloosa Outdoors Life

Water-wise, there's North River, Lake Tuscaloosa, Lake Lurleen, Holt Lake, the Black Warrior River, small but idyllic Lakes Nicol and Harris -- research these.

Tuscaloosa is generally a flat region, but does have some hill country and even some rather rugged terrain in the north part of the county.

There are an abundance of city parks and the university grounds and potentially their myriad and sterling facilities, for a fee, of course. Munny Sokol Park is huge and is known for 11 miles of winding bike trails, but includes ballfields and picnicking -- it is on the Northport side of the river. Bowers Park is excellent and I've seen quite a number of adult rec leaguers working it out there.

There is a long walking trail with scenic views and parkish spots along the way running from downtown and along the south side of the Black Warrior. Snow Hinton Park on 82 serves as an excellent walking track and practice fields for whatever.

Hunting and fishing are popular with the natives. Golf is readily available -- public as well as some excellent private clubs.

Downtown

Tuscaloosa's vibrant downtown life caters to students, but also contains upscale and fine dining, martini-style bars, and the like. But there is also a Children's Museum, an olde Bama Theater, many interesting music venues, a panoply of landmarks and history... There are a couple to three annual music and arts festivals which occur on the grounds of both downtown Tuscaloosa and Northport. I have seen Willie Nelson, B.B. King, and Marty Stuart, to name a few of the type of big draws which flesh out the otherwise local and regional sounds.

Northport's downtown is small but chock-a-block with boutiques, arts & crafts shops, cozy dining, apartment housing, small historic cottages, and all kinds of quirky stuff. City Cafe is an institution for meat-and-three plates. Archibald's famous BBQ as well.

Outskirts

-- to visit/ sightsee might include: historic Moundville (Indian mounds), historic and quaint Carrollton, historic Tannehill ironworks and golf course, and any number of wide open spaces in the surrounding flats and hills of Tusc. Co. You're always an hour's drive away from a large city with most everything: B'ham.

Final Notes

If you enjoy quintessential "college towns" like Chapel Hill, Charlottesville, VA, and Athens, GA... I have heard it said -- in national rags and by critics of the sort -- that Tuscaloosa is on the next tier down in terms of vibe, abundance, "life". I agree wholeheartedly... Perhaps with a greater inclination for outdoorsy-ness and rustic charm than those quasi-urban settings. I have also heard it said recently by T-Towners that full urbanization of the city is happening now and shall be upon us soon.

Tuscaloosa really is a remarkable well-rounded, interesting, livable, and ever-growing place. My ten years there was surely time well spent.

[JLA]

Originally Posted by coloradocutter

Calm down, guys. I knew I couldn't ask this question without starting the Roll Tide/War Eagles chant. I am so glad that I don't have a dog in this fight - I am UNC-Chapel Hill grad, so I just worry about b-ball. I know my football team sucks.

On academics, without going into more detail, this is a doctoral program and I am applying to work with specific faculty at both - the overall program at UA is probably more respected but only slightly and in this field it doesn't matter that much, but the faculty member at AU is probably a better fit and has a better reputation.

I really was asking about general feel of the towns. I get the sense that Auburn might be closer to more recreational opps (walking trails, lakes, etc.) but I can't tell. Does either town have parks? What about general feel of the town? Which one is the least like Gainesville, FL. I hate that town. I had an option to go to grad school there, and I couldn't bring myself to go. No offense to any gator fans, but it is a $*%hole.

My husband is hoping for Auburn because he wants to be nearer to his dad in Panama City but not sacrificing being near his sisters in B-ham - but clearly he is not thinking about making $ because I don't think he is going to find employment in Auburn, Columbus, GA and don't think he wants to commute to B-ham, Atlanta, or P-C from there... he is forgetting about that.

The Columbus/Auburn/Opelika area has a large number of parks. The River Walk is Columbus is 15 miles long. Biking seems to be big in this area and there are several bike clubs. If fishing and hiking are your thing then there are several lakes and hiking trails. The terrain is hilly for the most part, which is good for hiking. I do not know what profession your husband is in, but the economy here is diverse and most professionals can find a job. If he were to get a job offer in the Columbus area and you were to live in Opelika, then your commute time to Downtown Columbus would be about 30 minutes during the work week, but shorter on the weekends. The traffic on US 280 can get a little congested due to volume of commuters from the Auburn/Opelika/Smiths/Phenix City areas. This area is by far, Auburn's turf. As an Auburn alum, I am proud of my engineering education. I enjoy college sports and Auburn has a long history of outstanding sports for men and women (football, softball, swimming, baseball, basketball, track and field ...). Our oldest rival I believe would be that team from Athens, GA, but our most hated rival would be that school from Tuscaloosa, AL. Unfortunately very few things congers up more hate than AU and UA football. Although I enjoy college sports, it is the academic education from Auburn University that I am most proud of, not the football team. Welcome in advance to Auburn University.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by san phlegmatico

Ad hominem attacks are the device of choice for Aubs such as cpg.

SP

Now there's a word you couldn't have possibly learned at the Capstone, unless you're possibly referring to a recipe for making grits.