[soulful]

I am trying to get a feel for what it is really like to live in Auburn. Is Auburn a chic liberal kinda town with lots of specialty shops and sophisticated restaurants? Like Boulder for example?

Or is it more of a "chain restaurant" kinda town?

Heading down in a month on business (first trip) and just curious.

thanks in advance

[mimpdaddy]

I don't know i've never been and i'm from Alabama.
So it's gotta be sophisticated.

[mimpdaddy]

Roll tide!!!

[SuzieQ]

Auburn is more of a chain restaurant kind of town. I wouldn't say it is sophisticated at all. We Alabama fans call it a "Cow College" because of the school's specialty in agriculture.

[soulful]

Hi SuzieQ. Thank you for your reply. Now I have a much better understanding. Towns dominated by a large university often go "the other way". The term "Cow College" sums it up.

[danmandr]

Originally Posted by SuzieQ

Auburn is more of a chain restaurant kind of town. I wouldn't say it is sophisticated at all. We Alabama fans call it a "Cow College" because of the school's specialty in agriculture.

"Cow Town" to describe Auburn is just ridiculous. I often go to Auburn instead of Columbus to shop or eat with friends. Toomers Corner is very nice with plenty of eclectic shops and unique eateries. Very walkable. Lots of students walking around. The mall is very nice as well. Just got done with a complete remodel. Auburn is a very clean city you will find. Of course, it doesnt compare to Boulder but there arent to many towns that size that contain such high end shops but all in all you will find Auburn enjoyable.

[Southlander]

OK, I'm an Alabama graduate fan, and I agree that "Cow Town" is ridiculous. The term is "Cow College." When I first visited Auburn in 1972, the AU bovine research department was right on the interstate, and you had to go past the Swine Research Institute to get to the university. Yes, really.

That said, Auburn is a leader in these fields, as well as others, and I'm proud that Auburn is in my state. And I must add: 36-0. Roll Tide!

Auburn is a small town, with typical small town limitations AND advantages. As a university town, it is a good bit more sophisticated than a typical Alabama small town (see next-door Opelika). There are some interesting shops, and several non-chain local favorites which are getting crowded out by chains. To my knowledge, few higher-class restaurants - the market just isn't there.

I think it would be a pleasant place to live. You would be driving to Columbus, Montgomery, Birmingham or Atlanta (just a couple of hours' drive up the interstate) for major shopping or dining.

[1984vt]

ha ha ha ... When I read the title, I knew this would quickly turn into a "Cow Town" smack down.

Roll Tide!

They do have a great academic reputation.

[bluebeard]

bumping this so more random people don't come for the other thread.

[grapico]

Sophisticated? Absolutely not. This is not like you are walking around the campus at Rice or Emory or Duke or Chapel Hill (to use other southern schools as example)

I am rolling around laughing at the Boulder comparison... hahahahahaha... not even close. Unless tractors driving by, Hardees and Chik Fil A is sophisticated.

Sorry, I saw this thread on the main page and had to come in!