If you crave an active outdoor lifestyle then you’re going to LOVE Aurora. Frequently ranked among (#1 at times) the most active cities in the country with: 100 parks, 5,000 acres of protected open space, innumerable places to kayak, sail, run, hike and some of the best skiing in the world, less than an hour away. 

Here's a local celebrating some of the characteristics of Aurora: *look into the central park section of Aurora. It's very walkable, diverse, LGBT+ friendly with outdoor opportunities. However it's not really cheap and the crime isn't great. But it's a great quality of life. Lots of people live here because it's very very close to Anshutz.*


The Most Active City In The Country

The Best Thing About Aurora?

Aurora is historically a predominantly white city with a relatively conservative middle class culture. The recent growth in population, and diversity in that growth in particular, has created tension in the city that comes from traditionalists who decry the changes. A growth mentality in Colorado is overwhelming this conservative energy but for newcomers it is helpful to know it still exists.

Here's a tranplanter with a pov that the complaints are overblown: *The thing is that Five Points is quickly becoming gentrified at a quicker rate than most of the denver metro area. Rents are shooting up like crazy. A friend of my dad who lived there in the 80s-90s saw dead bodies on the street corner everyday. Now all you see is new trendy restaurants, breweries, and bars. Denver does have its fair share of violent crimes, but that’s normal in every major city. I do not like how people hate on Aurora and compare it to cities like Chicago and Memphis…most of those people haven’t left their little white lily suburb. I’ve spent a lot of time in the so-called bad neighborhoods of both cities and have never felt unsafe.* 

Growth Conflict

The Worst Thing About Aurora?

It should go without saying that people here live for living outdoors – it dominates the lifestyle. There is a plan for continued development of “downtown” Aurora but it will be some years before a truly “urban” suburban experience exists. In the meantime expect Denver to provide your social and cultural experiences. One nice perq, the recent train line that scoots you from Aurora to downtown Denver in less than 20 minutes.

To get a sense of what happens throughout the year in Aurora check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitaurora.com/events/




Lifestyle of Aurora

Aurora has a large military presence that historically dominated the workforce that actually was employed within the city. The majority of the population commutes (or did pre-covid) to Denver. Traffic is rough although the trainline will help with that if you find yourself along the R Train Line. The city has experienced massive growth as Denverites and out-of-towners move to Aurora seeking cheaper housing and more room to grow. 


Worklife of Aurora

When you think about Colorado the first thing that comes to mind is not diversity. Recent growth has changed that though and Aurora is a great example of this shift with a minority-majority population of Latino, African-American, Asian and foreign born residents. Mix that diversity with a compelling cultural scene and stunning outdoor lifestyle and you’ve got a city worth considering. 


Diversity

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**The Best Thing About Aurora?** The Most Active City In The Country

If you crave an active outdoor lifestyle then you’re going to LOVE Aurora. Frequently ranked among (#1 at times) the most active cities in the country with: 100 parks, 5,000 acres of protected open space, innumerable places to kayak, sail, run, hike and some of the best skiing in the world, less than an hour away. 

**The Worst Thing About Aurora?** Growth Conflict

Aurora is historically a predominantly white city with a relatively conservative middle class culture. The recent growth in population, and diversity in that growth in particular, has created tension in the city that comes from traditionalists who decry the changes. A growth mentality in Colorado is overwhelming this conservative energy but for newcomers it is helpful to know it still exists. 

**How You Living?** In The ‘Burbs

Aurora is itself a suburb of Denver but many a suburb these days can feel like a city. The neighborhoods you’re likely to settle in within Aurora though stick to the traditional suburban playbook of nice homes, large yards and parks, plenty of golf courses and great schools. Tallyn’s Reach, Saddle Rock and Shenandoah all fit the bill for these characteristics and are all good choices for any newcomers looking for room to stretch after time in a city. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Diversity 

When you think about Colorado the first thing that comes to mind is not diversity. Recent growth has changed that though and Aurora is a great example of this diverse growth with a minority-majority population of Latino, African-American, Asian and foreign born residents. Mix that diversity with a compelling cultural scene and stunning outdoor lifestyle and you’ve got a city worth moving to. 


We normally break out Young Profs and DINKs/SINKs but Aurora is such a suburban family vibe place we’re going to pick a couple neighborhoods that trend younger if you’re not yet or ever plan to be in family mode. The average Pheasant Run neighborhood resident is 31. This is largely due to the wide selection of shopping and places to eat. It also has a hospital, large vet clinic and grade schools that employ young people who crave living close to work. 
- Pheasant Run
- Side Creek
- Seven Hills


Young Professionals & DINKs/SINKs

Pheasant Run

Seven Hills pulls in young and established families who love the housing options, amazing parks/recreation centers, and great schools. You’re also a long walk/short bike ride from the Plains Conservation Center, an outdoor education center with 1,100 acres of prairies, hiking trails and conservation events. 

Sterling Hills is an alternative neighborhood to look at if you're interested in a step up into the high life for families. The neighborhood has big beautiful homes, that sit along winding roads, with great schools but also offer easy access to tons of shopping. Another big plus - it sits just 20 minutes from downtown Denver for the commuters in the family.
- Seven Hills
- Sterling Hills
- Saddle Rock Golf Club


Families

Seven Hills / Sterling Hills

Aurora

**What are the people like in Aurora, CO?**

I grew up in Aurora since 1969. It was mostly prairie land back then with the only place of employment for miles around being Hughes Aircraft (now Buckley Airforce Base). My dad was an electrical engineer for them. With it being a new housing area, there were no established trees to be seen making Aurora the butt of many jokes. 6th Avenue used to be a two-lane road and Aurora had a small town feel. These days it is bustling with traffic and people. Aurora-ites are very proud of their city. They are friendly, neighborly and helpful. I can honestly say it’s one of he best cities I have ever lived and my husband and I are planning to go back to live when we retire. Love the Aurora police too!

**Do you like living in Aurora? Where and why?**

If you're looking for access to transit Aurora isn't going to be super friendly. For what you're looking for I'd recommend Sheridan, or central Littleton (Near Broadway and Littleton blvd) or some of the more diverse neighborhoods in Denver. Look at Baker, Lincoln Park, Overland Park, Cole, or anywhere along Colfax. The only neighborhood I would say can be really unsafe at times is Lincoln Park, and even then it's nothing compared to most midwest cities.

Sheridan is going to be the most affordable neighborhood, and although it's not super dense it has a light rail station, pretty accessible bus routes, and a fair amount of parks. I do recommend enrolling your kids in a neighboring school district though as Sheridan schools are notoriously underfunded. Littleton is only 10 minutes away though, and they have great schools although they aren't very diverse with the exception of Littleton High School.

**Do you like living in Aurora? Where and why?**

Good on diversity. Poor on walkability- there are parts of Aurora that are not at all walkable, some even lack sidewalks entirely. Public transport is... I mean, there's the 15 bus that goes up and down Colfax, and some lightrail stations, but it's not that great. Schools I have no idea, don't have kids. Cost of housing is a little higher than Denver for rentals, but lower for purchases. Most neighborhoods are either older fixer-upper homes, or have an HOA. Dunno what your experience with an HOA is, but the only thing they do well is suck up money.

As far as safety, Aurora gets shit on a lot by other parts of the metro, but it's pretty safe, especially the further you get from the urban core. That also makes the walkability and transport issues worse, though.

I'd strongly suggest whatever neighborhoods you look at, visit at night as well. There are quite a few that are great in the daytime, and total shitshows at night. The city of Aurora has done a really poor job of developing some derelict areas, especially the further west you go on East Colfax (towards downtown Denver).

**Do you like living in Aurora? Where and why?**

I lived there until October of last year. I lived a few blocks off of Colfax (close to Airport) so it was easy to hop a bus as needed. I didn't find the walkability very convenient personally. Aurora is pretty spread out so unless you live right near places you will be shopping, etc., there can be a decent commute time if you are relying on public transportation or walking. For example, if I wanted to come from where I used to live to downtown (where I live now), it would take about 60 min minimum, usually 75 minutes or so. If I wanted to go to the mall about 35-40 min total.

I feel like the cost of living in Aurora has grown over the years and I've heard it called a "wanna-be little Denver" in reference to rising rental rates. But I think anywhere you go in CO these days the cost of living is up there. It was affordable to me when I lived there but given that I didn't have a car the commutes got really old after a while.

I always felt pretty safe where I lived and never experienced any crime or scary moments myself.

Aurora, Colorado

Gateway To The Rockies

Looklyloo Score: 86

We're on it!