Your EZ Moving Guide: Get to Know Aurora, CO
Your EZ Moving Guide: Get to Know Aurora, CO
Want to live in the Denver area but prefer a suburban lifestyle? Check out Aurora, Colorado, one of Livability’s top 100 places to live nationwide. Like many Colorado cities, Aurora offers an abundance of parks, cultural attractions, excellent schools and universities, and job opportunities. Aurora stands out for its prime location in the Denver metro to transportation and the strength of its job market.
Whether you’re looking for a place to raise your family or just want an easy commute into downtown Denver, Aurora’s many neighborhoods mean you have ample choices waiting for you. Explore this guide to learn more about what it’s like living in Aurora!
Where is Aurora, CO?
Aurora covers more than 163 square miles just east of Denver. The borders stretch into Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties, with Denver on the west, Centennial to the south, and rural prairie and farmlands to the east. The Denver International Airport lies directly north of Aurora for easy access to domestic and international flights.
Aurora’s history
Aurora was established in 1891 as Fletcher, a small agricultural town on the prairie. The city grew slowly over the years and officially became Aurora in 1909, followed by state recognition as a city in 1929.
During the 1940s and 1950s, Aurora expanded rapidly thanks to the vital military bases now operating in the town. These spurred the development of several subdivisions. Aurora grew in stride with Denver and today is the state’s third-largest city.
Ample sunshine and dry climate
Aurora has a semi-arid climate, which means hot summers and cold winters. December is the coldest, with an average temperature of 32F and a range from 45F-18F, while July is the warmest at an average of 74F and a range of 89F-59F.
Overall its precipitation is modest, at best, like much of Denver, which loves to boast it gets 300 days of sunshine a year. May is the wettest month, with an average of seven days reporting rain.
So how to be ready for this climate? Make sure you have appropriate clothing for both seasons. As temperatures can swing drastically from morning to afternoon, locals find layers are the way to go. And remember to wear sunscreen! The higher elevations and drier air can cause sunburns more easily.
Slightly less expensive than Denver
If you’re here, you’ve likely heard Denver is expensive especially for its real estate. So how does this metro suburb stack up?
According to Sperling’s Best Places Index, Aurora has an overall score of 118.9, which indicates that the cost of living is approximately 19% higher than the national average. Although Aurora is 2% less expensive than the Colorado average, housing costs are still 47% higher than what you’d pay across the country. However, Aurora’s is 18% cheaper than the state average, so if you want to live in Denver, this could be a suburb worth checking out.
And for more positive notes, groceries, utilities, and healthcare expenditures tend to run cheaper in Aurora than national averages.
MIT estimates a family of four with one adult working and two children would need to bring home $76,441 after taxes to cover essential living expenses in 2022, but that figure is for the whole Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro.
Rail, drive, or bike around
Aurora is a sprawling city, so getting around is easiest if you own a car. Major roadway I-70 runs east-west and turns north through Aurora. Part of the interstate extends as Highway I-70 Business into downtown Denver. I-225 runs centrally north-south, linking to I-70 and I-25.
Unfortunately, the Denver metro ranked as the 15th worst city in 2021, with drivers spending 40 hours a year stuck in traffic. And, if you’re moving out here for access to the mountains, Aurora’s east side location means you have further to travel to your favorite ski town.
On the upside, Aurora’s light rail system can be useful for commuting into Denver. The R-Line runs mostly north-south through Aurora parallel to I-225, connecting to the H-Line and the A-Line. The rail also links up the RTD bus system with routes throughout Aurora.
And Aurora’s proximity to Denver International Airport could be convenient for getting in and out of the airport if you fly frequently.
Diverse cultures
Nearly 1 out of every 5 residents was born in another country, making Aurora among the nation’s most diverse cities. This adds to the city’s character, with ample restaurants serving authentic globally inspired cuisine and festivals celebrating residents’ unique roots. The schools and other government institutions have resources available to assist the needs of the city’s diverse population.
Strong employment
The city has a strong economy, with a 3.7% unemployment rate in November 2022. The municipality added almost 30,000 new jobs from 2010 to 2018.
Buckley Air Force Base is a major economic driver for Aurora, as it supports over 88,000 related military personnel in the greater Denver area. Aerospace and defense is a leading employment field for the city.
Another is healthcare, a sector led by the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Campus, one of the most renowned medical institutions in the state. However, education, energy, and logistics are also top sectors for work.
Exceptional healthcare
For world-class health care in the Denver metro, it’s hard to beat Aurora. Gain convenient access to top specialists through The University of Colorado Hospital, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and the VA Hospital.
Don’t just take our word for it. US News and World Report ranked UCHealth as the nation’s second-best healthcare system in 2020. The system earned national top marks in five specialties, including diabetes, Gastroenterology, ENT, pulmonary, and rheumatology.
In addition, a large network of clinics and hospitals throughout the city serves local healthcare needs. Take the Medical Center of Aurora operated by HealthONE, the top-ranked healthcare provider in the country, according to IBM Watson Health. It has a 346-bed acute care hospital plus three other campuses.
Many education options
Four public school districts for K-12 serve Aurora residents. Parents can rest assured that their children are safe when playing outdoors or walking to school.
Closer to Denver, the Cherry Creek School District consistently ranks among the top performers in Colorado. Niche.com ranked it the state’s fifth-best district in 2023.
The Aurora Joint District no. 28 has several top-ranked high schools that break into Colorado’s best, like Lotus School for Excellence and Aurora West College Preparatory Academy. Aurora Quest K-8 is another highly regarded school.
Brighton Public Schools or Douglas County Schools serve a few Aurora communities on the edges. Which one depends on your address in Aurora.
For higher education, Aurora has around 12 public and private campuses. Community College of Aurora is a public two-year institution recognized for its quality and the affordability of its tuition. A higher number of private and small schools emphasize degrees in nursing, like Platt College or Colorado Technical University’s south campus. The University of Colorado Denver and other campuses are within driving distance.
Robust outdoor activities
Colorado is well known for its outdoor recreation access, with parks being called “open spaces” and prevalent in cities and towns across the state.
Aurora’s 97 outdoor recreational areas include the Plains Conservation Center. The restored prairie covers historic sites, educational programs, and interactive exhibits. At the other community parks, find sports courts, playgrounds, trails, lakes, and reservoirs totaling 5,000 acres of open spaces.
Locals also have Cherry Creek State Park, Aurora Reservoir, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge just outside city limits.
At Cherry Creek, you can kayak, paddle board, and boat from late spring to early fall. Just check the water levels first. On land, find mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking trails meandering over its rolling hills and prairies. Other park amenities include winter sports like ice skating, cross-country skiing, camping, volleyball, and picnic facilities.
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, just north of Aurora, is one of the nation’s largest urban wildlife refuges. This space is home to bison, coyotes, and bald eagles. Hiking, biking, and fishing are among your recreation options.
If you’re into golfing, Aurora has over five public and private courses at your disposal for practicing your game. Check out the Aurora Hills Golf Course, Meadow Hills Golf Course, and Heather Gardens Golf Club.
Festivals and events
The city hosted events include Holiday Lights and the Fourth of July celebration.
Experience a classic town street fair at the Aurora International Festival. The event celebrates the city’s diverse cultures with a day-long celebration of live music, artisans and vendors, children’s activities, and traditional cuisine.
Other population local events are the Food Truck Rodeo and the Buskers, Brews, & BBQ Festival.
Lots of entertainment
Find several theaters and museums in the heart of downtown. The Aurora Fox Arts Center hosts performing arts shows throughout the year. Additionally, you can visit the Art in Public Places Program, which displays 25 unique public art pieces spread across nine districts. A self-guided tour will take you to the Colfax Canvas Murals.
Shop one of the state’s largest indoor markets, Stanley Marketplace, to find unique creations and boutique stores. Other popular shopping and entertainment districts are Aurora City Place, Southlands, and Town Center.
Great Neighborhoods
Find over 400 neighborhoods throughout Aurora. Even though there are so many neighborhoods, the city is committed to building a sense of community for its residents, which is why it has funding opportunities for block parties and outdoor movie kits.
Check out some of the best neighborhoods to live in Aurora. The historic districts are south of downtown and east of I-225. These communities’ display old-fashioned charm thanks to their well-maintained Victorian homes, art galleries, specialty shops, and local restaurants.
Head outward, and the homes and developments get newer and more master-planned. Choose from the amenity-rich Tallyn’s Reach, quiet and family-friendly Chambers Heights, or active adult living in Heather Ridge.
Moving to Aurora
Once you officially become a Colorado resident, you have 90 days to transfer your vehicle registration. This must be done in person at a Department of Motor Vehicle office. Proof of Colorado-based motor vehicle insurance is required.
Driver’s license transfers must also be done in person by appointment. You’ll need your prior license and identification documents.
To get electricity and gas service, most Aurora homes are powered by Xcel Energy. You have two options to apply for the service: visit the Xcel Energy website or call 800-895-4999.
The city doesn’t provide residential trash and recycling pick-up. It is the duty of residents, homeowner associations, or the management company of multifamily buildings to organize such services with one of the city’s permitted trash and recycling haulers. So, check with your HOA or see the approved residential pick-up services list.
Moving to Aurora, CO
Chances are, you’ll enjoy living in Aurora. Besides how close it is to Denver, its perks include beautiful parks, a family-friendly vibe, and a strong economy. Moving to Aurora will give you access to nationally ranked healthcare and education with more affordable living costs for the Denver metro. If this sounds good to you, start planning your move to Aurora today with the help of a local real estate agent.
Preston Guyton has spent 20+ years helping people find the right home—and helping them avoid the costly mistakes that often come from not knowing their options. As the founder of ez Home Search, he’s leading the charge to build a better way to discover real estate—one that puts your privacy first, delivers accurate information, and gives you the confidence to make informed decisions. Preston has assembled a powerhouse team—made up of the innovators behind many of the technologies people use every day—to build the tools and transparency that deliver on a single mission: A Better Way To Discover Real Estate.
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