Top Neighborhoods
Auburn isn't just one market—it's a collection of micro-neighborhoods with wildly different price points, commute realities, and lifestyles. Choosing wrong could mean a 20-minute daily detour or overpaying by $400/month for a house on a noisy road. Here's the unfiltered breakdown.
Quick Compare: Top Neighborhoods in Auburn
| Neighborhood | Vibe | Rent Range | Best For | Walk Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Auburn | Urban, walkable | $1,100-$1,500 | Young professionals, remote workers | ~78 |
| East Auburn | Suburban, family-focused | $950-$1,300 | Families, first-time buyers | ~45 |
| Lake Auburn/West | Outdoorsy, quiet | $1,200-$1,600 | Nature lovers, retirees | ~35 |
| North Auburn | Rural, spacious | $850-$1,100 | Budget-conscious, DIYers | ~25 |
| South Auburn | Commuter corridor | $1,000-$1,400 | Lewiston/Auburn hospital workers | ~55 |
Downtown Auburn
Overview: The heart of the city, centered around Main Street's brick storefronts and the Androscoggin Riverwalk. This is where you'll find the 24-hour Hannaford, the Auburn Public Library, and the only true walkable district in the city.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,100 - $1,500/mo (1BR) | $1,400 - $1,900/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $285k - $340k
- 🚗 Commute: 5 min to Lewiston-Auburn (L-A) downtown | 25 min to Portland (I-295)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~78 (Very Walkable)
Local Intel: Main Street parking is a nightmare during business hours—residents use the municipal lots behind the buildings. The Riverwalk is your secret weapon for exercise without dealing with traffic. Avoid apartments on Church Street; they're directly under the flight path for emergency vehicles from the nearby hospital.
Who Thrives Here: Remote workers who need reliable fiber internet (available on most of Main St) and want to walk to three different coffee shops. Also ideal for young professionals who work in Lewiston but want a slightly more vibrant home base.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Only neighborhood with true walkability—12+ restaurants/bars, grocery, library all within 5 blocks
- ✅ Strong rental demand means easy turnover if you need to move
- ❌ Street noise is real—Church St and Main St see consistent traffic until 11pm
- ❌ Limited parking for 2+ car households; many rentals include only 1 off-spot
Schools: Auburn School Department, average ratings. The high school is a 10-minute drive from downtown. Most families with kids under 10 walk to one of the three neighborhood elementary schools.
The Verdict: Move here if you want urban amenities without Portland prices. Avoid if you need peace and quiet after 9pm or have multiple cars.
East Auburn
Overview: The classic suburban sprawl along Route 4 toward Turner. Think 1970s-1990s ranches and capes on 0.5-1 acre lots. The heart is the Auburn Mall area and the sprawling residential streets off Mount Auburn Avenue.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $950 - $1,300/mo (1BR) | $1,200 - $1,600/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $275k - $325k
- 🚗 Commute: 8-12 min to downtown Auburn | 15-18 min to Lewiston-Auburn hospital complex
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~45 (Car-dependent)
Local Intel: The secret hack is the back way to Lewiston via Route 4 to Lower Lake Road—cuts 5 minutes off the commute during rush hour and avoids the Auburn Mall traffic. The Auburn Municipal Golf Course is a hidden gem for cheap, decent golf. The area around Mount Auburn Cemetery is surprisingly peaceful for evening walks.
Who Thrives Here: Families who want a yard under $350k and don't mind driving everywhere. Also perfect for hospital workers (Central Maine Medical Center) who want a 15-minute commute with zero traffic stress.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best value for single-family homes with land—most lots are 0.5+ acres
- ✅ Quiet, established neighborhoods with minimal through-traffic
- ❌ Zero walkability; you'll drive for coffee, groceries, everything
- ❌ Older housing stock means frequent septic system replacements ($8k-$15k)
Schools: Auburn School Department, solid mid-tier ratings. The elementary schools (Sherwood Heights, Park Avenue) are well-regarded. Edward Little High School is a 10-minute drive from most parts of East Auburn.
The Verdict: Buy here if you want space and quiet on a budget. Renters should only choose this if they have reliable transportation and don't care about nightlife.
Lake Auburn/West Auburn
Overview: The scenic side of Auburn, hugging the shores of Lake Auburn and extending west toward Turner. This is where Auburn's wealthier residents live—think newer construction (1990s+) on the lake or wooded lots.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,200 - $1,600/mo (1BR) | $1,500 - $2,100/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $350k - $500k+ (lakefront starts at $600k)
- 🚗 Commute: 12-18 min to downtown | 20-25 min to Portland via Route 302
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~35 (Very Car-dependent)
Local Intel: Lake Auburn is the drinking water source for both Auburn and Lewiston, so development is heavily restricted—this keeps the area pristine but also means very limited rental inventory. The Lake Auburn boat launch is free for residents. The West Auburn Road area has gigabit fiber from Oxford Networks. Traffic on Route 302 westbound during summer weekends is brutal from 3pm-6pm.
Who Thrives Here: Retirees who want lake access without the full Maine coast price tag. Also ideal for remote workers who want a home office with a water view and don't need to commute daily.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Lake Auburn is pristine—no development, no commercial traffic, amazing for kayaking/fishing
- ✅ Newer construction means fewer maintenance surprises
- ❌ Extremely limited inventory; rentals are snapped up in days
- ❌ Winter isolation—heavy snow can shut down West Auburn Road for hours
Schools: Auburn School Department, above-average ratings. The schools here score slightly higher due to the demographic mix. Short drive to all levels.
The Verdict: Move here for the lifestyle and scenery if you can afford it and don't mind driving. Avoid if you need walkability or are on a tight budget.
North Auburn
Overview: The rural extension along Route 4 toward Poland. This is the "back to the land" part of Auburn—think older farmhouses, mobile homes on owned land, and newer split-levels on large lots. It's where you go to get the most house for the least money.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $850 - $1,100/mo (1BR) | $1,100 - $1,400/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $225k - $285k
- 🚗 Commute: 15-20 min to downtown | 25-30 min to Lewiston
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~25 (Car-essential)
Local Intel: The area around North Auburn Road and Route 4 has the cheapest gas in the city (Cumberland Farms). The North Auburn Community Center is the hub for local events and cheap recreation. Most properties are on well/septic—test water quality before renting/buying (common issue with iron bacteria). Snow removal is your responsibility; budget $400/year if you can't do it yourself.
Who Thrives Here: DIYers who want to own land and fix up a place. Also ideal for anyone working from home who needs space for a workshop or home business. Great for budget-conscious families who don't mind a longer commute.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Lowest cost per square foot in Auburn; you can find 3BR on 1+ acres for under $250k
- ✅ Minimal traffic, dark skies, true rural feel
- ❌ 20+ minute drive to any major grocery store or medical facility
- ❌ Well/septic maintenance is on you; water quality issues are common
Schools: Auburn School Department, average ratings. Schools are a 15-20 minute drive for most residents. Busing is available but long.
The Verdict: Buy here if you want to own land cheaply and don't mind driving. Renters should only choose this if they need maximum space for minimum rent and have reliable transportation.
South Auburn
Overview: The commuter corridor along Route 302 toward Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn border. Mix of mid-century neighborhoods and newer subdivisions. This is where you live if you work at the hospital or in Portland but want Auburn's lower costs.
The Numbers:
- 🏠 Rent: $1,000 - $1,400/mo (1BR) | $1,300 - $1,700/mo (2BR)
- 🏡 Buy: Median home $290k - $350k
- 🚗 Commute: 8-10 min to L-A hospital | 30-35 min to Portland (I-295)
- 🚶 Walk Score: ~55 (Somewhat Walkable in pockets)
Local Intel: The area around the Auburn Plaza (Target, Home Depot) is the commercial hub. The back route to the hospital via Mount Auburn Avenue and Minot Avenue saves 5-7 minutes versus taking Route 302. Traffic on Route 302 southbound during morning rush (7:30am-8:30am) can add 10 minutes to your commute. The South Auburn Community Center has excellent recreational programs.
Who Thrives Here: Hospital workers (Central Maine Medical Center) who want a 10-minute commute. Also ideal for Portland commuters who want to cut housing costs by 30-40% while staying within an hour of the city.
Pros & Cons:
- ✅ Best location for hospital workers; some residents walk or bike in good weather
- ✅ Easy access to I-295 for Portland trips without living in the city
- ❌ Route 302 traffic is loud and constant, especially near the Auburn Plaza
- ❌ Older neighborhoods have aging infrastructure; check plumbing/electrical in pre-1970s homes
Schools: Auburn School Department, average to above-average ratings. The high school is relatively close. Good access to after-school programs at the community center.
The Verdict: Move here if you work at the L-A hospital or need Portland access with Auburn affordability. Avoid if you want walkability or quiet streets.
Final Advice
For young professionals: Downtown Auburn is your winner—walkable, social, and still affordable. The commute to Lewiston is trivial, and you're only 25 minutes from Portland when you need city amenities.
For families: East Auburn gives you the most house and yard for your money. The schools are solid, the neighborhoods are quiet, and you're never more than 10 minutes from a grocery store.
For retirees: Lake Auburn/West offers the lifestyle premium—lake access, newer homes, and peace. Just make sure you have a reliable vehicle and can handle winter driving.
For budget-conscious renters: North Auburn is the value play, but only if you have reliable transportation and don't mind a rural setting. The rent savings are real, but factor in higher heating costs and longer drives.
Traffic reality check: Auburn doesn't have true rush hour gridlock, but the Route 302 corridor south of the Auburn Mall backs up 7:30-8:30am and 4:30-5:30pm. If you're commuting to Portland, leave before 7am or after 9am to avoid the worst of it. In winter, add 15 minutes to any trip after a snowstorm—Maine plows are good, but they prioritize highways first.