Ross Park & Northern Village at Ross Park

 

Student Townhomes Near Auburn University in North Auburn

Ross Park and Northern Village at Ross Park are neighboring townhome and twin-home communities located around Jack Hampton Drive and Northern Village Court, just north of downtown Auburn. They're close enough to campus to work well for Auburn students, but they have more of a neighborhood feel than many of the larger student condo complexes around town.

Ross Park is the older of the two communities, with homes dating primarily to the early 2000s. Northern Village at Ross Park was developed much later, with homes built around 2020. Together, they give buyers several options depending on whether you're looking for a more affordable student property, newer construction, an Auburn investment, or a place to use for game days.

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Location & Convenience

About 1.5 Miles from Toomer's Corner

One of the things buyers like about Ross Park and Northern Village is that you're close to Auburn University without being right in the middle of downtown. Toomer's Corner is roughly 1.5 miles away, putting campus, downtown restaurants, Jordan-Hare Stadium, and Auburn events just a few minutes from home.

The North Ross Street location also makes it easy to get to North College Street, Opelika Road, grocery stores, restaurants, and other parts of Auburn.

Tiger Transit Access

For students, Tiger Transit is another advantage. The area is served by Auburn University's transit system, giving students an option for getting to campus without having to drive and find parking every day.

As always, students should check Auburn University's current Tiger Transit routes and stops since they can change from semester to semester.

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Ross Park

Cottage-Style Homes on Jack Hampton Drive

Ross Park is centered primarily around Jack Hampton Drive and has a different feel from many traditional Auburn student condo developments. Instead of apartment-style buildings, you'll find cottage-style twin homes and townhomes with individual entrances and more of a residential streetscape.  These are technically classified as single family attached homes.

Most homes are two stories, with many offering three bedrooms and private or semi-private bathroom arrangements that work well for students and roommates.

Outdoor Space & Community Pool

Another feature buyers often like at Ross Park is the outdoor space. Some homes have patios and small fenced backyards, giving students, owners, and game day visitors a little private outdoor space of their own.

Ross Park also has a neighborhood swimming pool, something you don't find in every smaller student townhome community around Auburn.

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Northern Village at Ross Park

Newer Construction Next to Ross Park

Northern Village at Ross Park was developed around 2020 and sits next to the original Ross Park community. If you like the location but prefer newer construction, Northern Village is usually the side buyers look at first.

The homes have a cottage and twin-home style similar to Ross Park but with newer finishes, building materials, and floor plans.  These are single-family attached homes as well.

Northern Village also includes a community dog park, which is a nice extra for students or owners with pets.  They do not have access to the pool in Ross park.

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Why Buyers Like Ross Park & Northern Village

More of a Neighborhood Feel

This is probably the biggest difference between Ross Park and many Auburn student condo communities. You're not buying into a large apartment-style complex.

The individual entrances, cottage-style homes, yards, patios, and residential streets give Ross Park and Northern Village more of a neighborhood feel while still keeping you close to Auburn University.

Good Fit for Parents Buying for Auburn Students

For parents buying a place for their Auburn student, the three-bedroom layouts can work particularly well. Your student can live in one bedroom and have roommates in the others, potentially helping offset some of the ownership costs.

The private-bedroom and bathroom layouts in many of the homes are also a big plus when you're talking about multiple students sharing a property.

• Roommate-Friendly Layouts
  Many have three bedrooms with private bathrooms, giving each student their own space while sharing the kitchen and living areas.
• What you'll typically find at Northern Village:
• Two-story layouts
• Most are three-bedroom floor plans
• Private bathrooms with many bedrooms
• Open kitchen and living areas
• Covered porches or patios with some homes
• Small fenced outdoor areas with some properties
  
  

Older vs. Newer Options

Having both Ross Park and Northern Village together gives buyers a useful choice.

Ross Park may appeal more to someone looking for a lower purchase price or an established property, while Northern Village gives you the opportunity to buy something considerably newer.

Which makes more sense really comes down to the individual property, condition, price, HOA expenses, and what you're trying to accomplish with it.

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HOA & Maintenance

Ross Park and Northern Village have separate HOA arrangements, so buyers should not assume the fees, amenities, or responsibilities are identical between the two communities.

Depending on the property and association, HOA services may include items such as:

• Lawn maintenance
• Irrigation
• Common area maintenance
• Common area insurance
• Community amenities

Ross Park includes a neighborhood pool, while Northern Village has its own amenities, including a dog park.

Always review the current HOA documents for the specific property you're considering. Fees, insurance coverage, rental rules, and owner responsibilities can change over time.

Since these are single-family attached homes, the home owner is generally responsible for exterior maintenance like siding, exterior painting, and roof repair.

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Investment Potential

Student Rental Appeal

Ross Park and Northern Village are attractive to parents buying for their Auburn student and investors looking for rental income.

The three-bedroom layouts found throughout much of the communities work well for roommates, and the private bathroom arrangements in many homes are a feature students tend to appreciate.

The location also gives renters relatively quick access to Auburn University while offering more space and a different atmosphere than many traditional student condo complexes.

Short-Term Rental Flexibility

One of the more interesting features of Ross Park and Northern Village is their short-term rental potential.

For Auburn alumni, parents, or investors, that can open up another way to use the property. An owner might want a place of their own for football weekends, graduation, or other Auburn events while having the option to rent it at other times.

That combination of student rental, personal use, and potential game day rental flexibility is one reason these communities are worth considering if you're looking for an Auburn investment property.

Buyers should always confirm the current HOA rules, City of Auburn short-term rental regulations, licensing requirements, and any property-specific restrictions before purchasing with plans to operate an Airbnb, VRBO, or other short-term rental.

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Game Day Appeal

Ross Park and Northern Village aren't directly across from Jordan-Hare Stadium, but they're close enough to make sense for buyers who want an Auburn game day property without necessarily paying the premium for a downtown condo.

You're roughly 1.5 miles from Toomer's Corner, and the townhome layouts give you considerably more room than many one- and two-bedroom condos closer to campus.

For buyers who want room for family or friends when they're in Auburn, that extra space can make a big difference.

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Ross Park or Northern Village: Which Is Better for You?

If you're deciding between the two, I'd start with what matters most to you.

If you like the location and want an established property that may come at a different price point, look closely at Ross Park. If newer construction and more modern finishes are higher priorities, Northern Village may be the better fit.

For an investment, the individual property's purchase price, expected rent, HOA expenses, condition, and rental history matter more than simply choosing one community over the other.

Both are worth comparing if you're looking for student housing, an Auburn investment property, or a townhome that can also work for your own visits to Auburn.

Comparing Renting vs. Buying for Your Auburn Student?

If your student will be at Auburn for several years, it may be worth comparing the costs and benefits of renting with owning a condo or townhome.

I have an in-depth guide to give you the information you need.

Compare Renting vs. Buying

Looking Beyond Student Housing?

While condos and townhomes are popular choices for Auburn students, they're not the right fit for everyone. Many buyers eventually decide they'd prefer a traditional single-family home, whether they're relocating to Auburn, working at Auburn University, looking for more space, planning for retirement, or simply exploring all of their options.

I've created detailed guides for many Auburn neighborhoods and Opelika neighborhoods, including information on home prices, amenities, HOA details, schools, commute times, and what it's like to live there. From newer communities in North Auburn to established neighborhoods closer to campus, there's a wide range of options depending on your goals and budget.

Many of these neighborhood guides also include HOA information, nearby shopping and restaurants, school zoning information, and current homes for sale.