Auburn California is a Great Place to Live!

Nicole Spencer • March 23, 2022

Here are seven reasons why Auburn is a great place to live:

Less traffic, friendlier people: When people aren’t stressed about getting through traffic and life is a bit slower, people tend to be more friendly. This is evident when driving and going to public places – Auburnites smile, exchange greetings and are generally far more pleasant than in more congested areas. Traffic is easy going (except during commute times, on Hwy 49 – which will move a little slower that other times of day)

Outdoor recreation: There is a multitude of recreational things to do: hiking, biking, horse back riding, water activities at the many lakes and rivers – all within minutes.

Community events: Auburn has many community gatherings, bringing people together to meet, dine and have fun. Some of the many events include a monthly car show in the summer with a live band, Cinco de mayo gathering and performances, a weekly farmers market behind the iconic courthouse and the extremely popular light parade with Santa. The fair grounds hosts a county fair, two home shows, the Rodeo, Fast Friday motorcycle racing and my favorite the Mandarin (orange) festival.

Custom homes: Unlike the valley where cookie cutter homes are prevalent, the foothills is abundant with custom built homes. You can find everything from historic Victorians, Mid Century Modern, Tuscan and everything in between. There is also a wide range of homes that have views: of the canyon, snow capped mountains, Sacramento Valley and fantastic sunrise and sunsets. If you are looking for acreage for privacy, animals, to have a shop or garden….you can find all of that variety in the greater Auburn area.

Craft beer and wineries: Beer and wine enthusiasts travel to Auburn to enjoy some of the best craft beers and family owned wineries. Local breweries like Knee Deep, MoonRaker, Crooked Lane and others have become popular hang out places for people and dogs alike. For those that like wine, there are beautiful wineries along the wine trail. Search Placer Wine Trail

Convenient location: while you can find a movie theatre, nice restaurants, shopping and a hospital in Auburn, Roseville is just 15 minutes down the highway and has the Galleria mall, Costco, large hospitals and more. For those that like to travel, Sac International Airport is only about a 40 minute drive.

Weather: The Auburn foothills are above the fog and below the snow. It is about the same temperature as the valley in the winter (but with sun) and an average of 6-10 degrees cooler than the valley in summer. 

Here are some pictures that I have taken from homes around Auburn, showing the diversity of this foothill area.

Aerial view of upscale homes with text overlay asking if fall 2026 is a smart time to buy in Loomis.
August 14, 2026
Explore Loomis homes for sale with top realtor Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate. Get fall market insight and personalized guidance in Loomis real estate.
Nicole Spencer Team blog banner, GUIDE Real Estate, house exterior, Lincoln CA realtor branding.
August 13, 2026
The top realtor in Lincoln, CA is your smartest summer listing move: Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate delivers data-led pricing and impactful marketing.
Cover image showing 2385 Bald Hill Rd, Auburn, CA by top realtor Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate
August 7, 2026
Searching for horse properties for sale in Auburn, CA? Get 2026 market insights and expert guidance from Nicole Spencer, GUIDE Real Estate's local specialist.
Grass Valley horse property with arena, pastures & custom home. Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate
July 30, 2026
Looking to sell a ranch or horse property in Grass Valley, CA? Learn how Nicole Spencer uses tailored strategic marketing to attract top buyers.
Grass Valley home for sale at 16175 Mackinaw Way by top Realtor Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate
July 30, 2026
Looking for a listing agent in Grass Valley, CA? Nicole Spencer breaks down her 1.5-acre listing on Mackinaw Way, priced at $519,000.
Nicole Spencer, best luxury real estate agent in Auburn CA, Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate.
By Nicole Spencer July 2, 2026
Looking for the best luxury real estate agent in Auburn, CA? Nicole Spencer has 10+ years of local expertise and a proven record selling luxury estates.
Auburn homes for sale in Placer County, Nicole Spencer GUIDE Real Estate Forbes Global Properties
June 22, 2026
Looking for Auburn homes for sale? Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate helps buyers find ranch and country properties across Placer County. Call today.
Auburn vs Newcastle CA real estate comparison guide by Nicole Spencer GUIDE Real Estate
May 29, 2026
Comparing Auburn and Newcastle real estate? Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate breaks down pricing, property types, and lifestyle differences to help you choose.
Nicole Spencer, top listing agent in Meadow Vista CA and certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
By Nicole Spencer April 15, 2026
Searching for a top listing agent in Meadow Vista? Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate is the luxury realtor in Sierra Foothills that buyers and sellers trust.
“Top Realtor for Auburn Real Estate: Your Spring 2026 Strategy”, Nicole Spencer - GUIDE Real Estate
By Nicole Spencer March 26, 2026
Auburn's median price is $633K and homes are averaging 56 days on market. Top realtor Nicole Spencer breaks down what spring 2026 means for buyers and sellers.