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. 

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.


The Most Active City In The Country

LookyLOO Review of 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 is 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/).

We highly recommend visiting Aurora and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can also receive discounted travel fares via our [partnership with Expedia](https://expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ).



Lifestyle

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

The [**Aurora Public School District**](www.aurorak12.org) rates a [**"C+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/aurora-joint-school-district-no-28-co/). The District receives higher grades for College Prep, Diversity, and Clubs/Extracurriculars. 

The district has an open enrollment admission policy allowing students to apply to schools outside their attendance zone. Acceptance depends on available space, and students are placed based on a priority system that includes siblings and proximity to the school. 
Home

The highest-performing high schools in Aurora include:

-[**Rangeview High School**](https://rangeview.aurorak12.org/) is the #2 performing niche high school in the state. It receives a [**"B+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/rangeview-high-school-aurora-co/) with "A's" for Diversity and Clubs/Extracurriculars. 

-[**William Smith High School**](https://wmsmith.aurorak12.org/) is the 2nd highest-rated public high school in the city, receiving a [**"B+" score on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/william-smith-high-school-aurora-co/). The school receives "A's" for Teachers, Diversity, and Administration. 

-[**Lotus School for Excellence**](lotusschool.org) receives a [**"B" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/lotus-school-for-excellence-aurora-co/). Lotus receives "A's" for Diversity and College Prep and is a public charter with application and availability required for admittance.  



Schools

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?

**MtManz**
Living in Aurora
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Aurora is the most? diverse city in Colorado I believe, so if you want to find culture, you can. There is an abnormally high population of Africans so check out any/all the Ethiopian places here. If you want pho.. definitly get from Aurora, not Denver; trust me.

The Cherry Creek School Dist is the 'good' one here.

If you work in Tech but work from home, location might not matter too much, but if you're looking for jobs in the future, might want to consider something with easy access to DenverTechCenter or Anschutz medical. There are lots of decent IT jobs around here if you're willing to commute a bit, too.

Colorado is pretty conservative, and Aurora is no exception. It's mostly a 'you do you' kind of a place so you'll see lots of 'merica' around here but most people don't give a shit what you're doing.

I live in the Mission Viejo neighborhood and I love it here. It has a green belt that goes all the way around, so you can do some walking and biking, there is a community library in the subdivision. Quite a few restaurants right round the corner (Sushi, pupusas, Falafel.. etc) Lowes, target, petco.. all within a 5 minute drive. Also, Cherry Creek Schools. If you can afford the area, it's great. There are a lot of car related crimes.

For more reviews of what living in San Francisco is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/san-francisco/reviews).

Most People Don't Give a Shit What You're Doing

Reviews of Aurora from Locals

**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

**MtManz**
Living in Aurora
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Aurora is the most? diverse city in Colorado I believe, so if you want to find culture, you can. There is an abnormally high population of Africans so check out any/all the Ethiopian places here. If you want pho.. definitly get from Aurora, not Denver; trust me.

The Cherry Creek School Dist is the 'good' one here.

If you work in Tech but work from home, location might not matter too much, but if you're looking for jobs in the future, might want to consider something with easy access to DenverTechCenter or Anschutz medical. There are lots of decent IT jobs around here if you're willing to commute a bit, too.

Colorado is pretty conservative, and Aurora is no exception. It's mostly a 'you do you' kind of a place so you'll see lots of 'merica' around here but most people don't give a shit what you're doing.

I live in the Mission Viejo neighborhood and I love it here. It has a green belt that goes all the way around, so you can do some walking and biking, there is a community library in the subdivision. Quite a few restaurants right round the corner (Sushi, pupusas, Falafel.. etc) Lowes, target, petco.. all within a 5 minute drive. Also, Cherry Creek Schools. If you can afford the area, it's great. There are a lot of car related crimes.

**moonster**
Living in Aurora
2y ago


I would lean more west and north Aurora, especially for walk/bike and food. South of I70 and west of 225 should get you a lot of options.

Colfax can be a bit of skid row but it's not under the control of a gang or anything.

You might like Stanley Market! Or if you're willing to go over into Denver, check Lowry neighborhood. It's immediately adjacent to Aurora but in actual Denver. Another option is to look at neighborhoods with direct access to High Line Canal *and* that are west of 225/south of 70. You will need a map, but once you find and trace the Canal and highways, and find Lowry you can go from there. Stanley Market is on the east edge of the Central Park neighborhood and is in Aurora afaik, up near Bluff Lake and the Sand Creek Trail.

The community college is over off of Chambers (east of 225), there is a Lowry campus too but I'm not sure how much happens there wrt Aurora, the main Aurora campus is the Chambers road one.

Basically, the further south and east you go the more McMansion territory you get into, the less walkable, and the more likely you are to encounter more vocal friction regarding a non-cis/hetero presenting lifestyle. That's not to say hate is rampant there (nor absent elsewhere), it's just greater odds. The further west and north, the more urban and diverse. I wouldn't confuse any part of Aurora with "walkable", but you can at least pretend walkable the closer you get to Peoria/Havana and north of roughly Iliff.

We do have a decent city-wide trail & park system/network that integrates to Denver's pretty well, but unless you are west Peoria they are primarily good for recreation and not commuting due to last-mile problems and the bike lane network being not that great right now. West of 225 you have a lot of older neighborhood streets you can ride on that cross (but don't dump you onto) arterials, and/or have sidewalks a little more consistently.

**moonster**
Living in Aurora
2y ago
🦉🦉

I would lean more west and north Aurora, especially for walk/bike and food. South of I70 and west of 225 should get you a lot of options.

Colfax can be a bit of skid row but it's not under the control of a gang or anything.

You might like Stanley Market! Or if you're willing to go over into Denver, check Lowry neighborhood. It's immediately adjacent to Aurora but in actual Denver. Another option is to look at neighborhoods with direct access to High Line Canal *and* that are west of 225/south of 70. You will need a map, but once you find and trace the Canal and highways, and find Lowry you can go from there. Stanley Market is on the east edge of the Central Park neighborhood and is in Aurora afaik, up near Bluff Lake and the Sand Creek Trail.

The community college is over off of Chambers (east of 225), there is a Lowry campus too but I'm not sure how much happens there wrt Aurora, the main Aurora campus is the Chambers road one.

Basically, the further south and east you go the more McMansion territory you get into, the less walkable, and the more likely you are to encounter more vocal friction regarding a non-cis/hetero presenting lifestyle. That's not to say hate is rampant there (nor absent elsewhere), it's just greater odds. The further west and north, the more urban and diverse. I wouldn't confuse any part of Aurora with "walkable", but you can at least pretend walkable the closer you get to Peoria/Havana and north of roughly Iliff.

We do have a decent city-wide trail & park system/network that integrates to Denver's pretty well, but unless you are west Peoria they are primarily good for recreation and not commuting due to last-mile problems and the bike lane network being not that great right now. West of 225 you have a lot of older neighborhood streets you can ride on that cross (but don't dump you onto) arterials, and/or have sidewalks a little more consistently.

**Bluescreen73**
Living in Aurora
6mo ago


Take Aurora smack talk on social media/Reddit/etc with a grain of salt. I guarantee you a majority of the people who dump on Aurora have never even lived here. They just repeat dumb, racially-tinged crap that someone else who's also never lived here told them.

We've lived here for 11 years and have never been shot, mugged, stabbed, carjacked, or had our house broken into and/or burned down.

Aurora is by far and away the most-diverse city in Colorado. We have some of the best ethnic cuisine in the city.

Valid cons of the city - sprawl, further from the mountains, much of the city is flat, we have no downtown, little walkability, and access to the rail network is largely poor.

The northwestern corner of the city is the most diverse area, but it's also the poorest. It has the lowest cost housing, the highest crime, and the worst schools.

Central Aurora is transitional. Some crime issues, slightly better schools, slightly more expensive, slightly less diverse.

Southern/Southeastern Aurora is the most affluent area with the best schools, but it's also the most expensive and least-diverse part of the city.

Invest in LookyLoo for as little as $100

Aurora, Colorado

Gateway To The Rockies

Looklyloo Score: 85

About Aurora

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