About the Local Area
The city of Auburn, the neighboring city of Opelika, and their surrounding areas comprise the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area, which is commonly referred to as “Auburn-Opelika.” The following guide will help you know where in Auburn-Opelika to find items and services needed for daily life.
Please Note: The list below is not a comprehensive list, but only a compilation of local options as suggested by current students.
For general information about the city of Auburn, visit these sites:
City of Auburn
Auburn Chamber of Commerce
Groceries, personal care items, and cleaning products can be found at a variety of local stores. Please note that certain culture-specific spices and other preferred products may be more difficult to find in these stores or may be costlier than they would be in a larger city with culture-specific markets.
Supermarkets have a large selection of groceries, personal care items, and cleaning supplies.
Kroger is located at 300 North Dean Road in Auburn.
Wal-Mart has 4 different local stores.
Publix has a location at 2900 E University Drive in Auburn.
Winn Dixie is located in Tiger Crossing Shopping Center, 1619 S. College Street in Auburn.
Specialty Grocery Stores sell certain types of products, often catering to cultural or dietary preferences.
Asian Supermarket* (3750 Pepperell Parkway in Opelika) specializes in Asian grocery items.
African Food Company East Alabama (303 S. Railroad Avenue in Opelika) specializes in African and Caribbean food items.
Parkway Farmer’s Market (2180 1st Avenue in Opelika) sells fresh produce and select other foods
*These stores are on the route of the Tiger Transit Friday Evening Shopping Shuttle.
New furniture, household items, and kitchenware are sold at the following local stores:
Target* is located at 2640 Enterprise Drive Opelika AL (downtown Auburn location opening fall 2023)
**Wal-Mart SuperCenters:
-1717 South College Street Auburn, AL
-2900 Pepperell Parkway Opelika, AL**
Big Lots is located at 1716 Opelika Road Auburn, AL
Home Depot* is located at 2190 Tigertown Parkway Opelika, AL*
Clothing for men, women, and children can be purchased at the following local stores. Many of these also have online purchasing available.
TigerTown Shopping Center* stores include:
Auburn Mall* stores include
Wal-Mart SuperCenter** also has a clothing department
*These stores are on the route of the Friday Evening Shopping Shuttle.
International student organizations may be a good resource to find items that students or recent graduates are willing to pass along.
Thrift Stores/Charity Shops sell donated items such as furniture, clothing, appliances, household items and more. The proceeds from their sales support a specific charitable cause.
Yard Sales/Garage Sales are held by members of the community – usually on a Saturday – at a private residence or other designated location. Items for sale are typically displayed in a lawn, garage, or parking lot. Sale hours, location, and prices are determined by the individual(s) who organized the sale. Ways to learn about upcoming yard sales/garage sales include roadside signs, social media, newspaper classified ads, and postings on craigslist and oanow.com
Online Local Sale Postings can be found at online marketplaces and certain local Facebook groups. The following online resources have been used by international students.
Marketplace Websites:
Facebook Groups:
** Please exercise safety precautions if agreeing to meet someone to view/buy an item listed online**
You will need to establish service providers for your cell service and various services for your place of residence. Some of these providers require a one-time activation fee and/or a service contract to begin service. Links for these service providers can be found below.
Cell Phone Service:
Household Utilities:
Cable Television:
Satellite Television:
Internet Service:
**For some rental properties, certain services may be included as part of the lease agreement. Check with your realty company or property manager to determine what services you need to establish.**
Last modified: February 8, 2024
