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Moving to Aurora? Pack Your Subaru and Learn to Love Havana Street
Last Modified: April 14, 2026
Are you tired of reading Aurora moving guides that lack first-hand experience and are full of census stats and zero soul? Life in Aurora can't be summarized by only looking at almanac weather data (pro tip: 300 days of sun doesn't mean warm) or basic demographics, because that misses the real story, like how multilingual everyday life actually is here. If you love relatively affordable rent, Southeast Asian food that rivals the coasts, and being 20 minutes from everything Denver pretends to have invented, A-Town might be calling you home. Our playful and witty moving guide will prepare you for the good (like finding late-night pho without even trying) and the bad (yes, people will assume you live near the airport and nothing else) so you'll actually know what it's REALLY like to live work and play in Aurora.
Snappy Summary: Aurora gives you affordable space, solid access to trails and open space, and some of Colorado's best global food, but you'll trade walkability and charm for strip malls and subdivisions. People still move here because it's real Colorado living without the Denver price tag, plus you can actually park your car and afford a yard.
Still deciding whether Colorado is your speed overall? Our moving to Colorado guide breaks down the bigger picture beyond Aurora.
Most Likely Personalities to Love (or Hate) Aurora
Is Aurora right for me? If you're an Adventure Junkie, Retired Military, or DIYer, you'll find your tribe between Cherry Creek Trail, Quincy Reservoir, and Buckley. If you're a Beach Bum, Surfer Dude, or Hipster, you'll miss ocean waves and artisanal everything desperately.
Incredibly High Likelihood You'll Love Aurora (80–100%)
- Adventure Junkie – 92% Cherry Creek Trail, Quincy Reservoir, weekend mountain missions (with planning)
- Retired Military – 90% Buckley Space Force Base nearby, strong veteran community
- DIYer – 88% Affordable homes with actual garages and basement workshops
- Dog Momma – 85% Dog parks everywhere plus Cherry Creek off leash area
- Foodie – 84% Havana Street's Ethiopian, Vietnamese pho, authentic global eats
- Stay at Home Mom – 82% Affordable suburbs, decent schools, Stanley Marketplace for coffee runs
High Likelihood (60-79%)
- PTA President – 78% Growing schools need organizers, family friendly Southlands area
- Craft Beer Fan – 76% Dry Dock Brewing born here, Stanley Marketplace taprooms
- Farmer's Market Regular – 74% Aurora Farmers Market brings Colorado vendors in season
- College Student – 72% CU Anschutz Medical Campus, affordable rent near Denver
- Gamer – 70% Affordable apartments with space for epic gaming setups
- CrossFit Regular – 68% Multiple boxes around town, outdoor workout weather year round
- Binge Shopper – 65% Southlands Mall, Town Center, Park Meadows 20 minutes away (depending on traffic)
- Yoga Instructor – 62% Stanley Marketplace wellness studios, mountain view sunrise sessions
Moderate Chance (40-59%)
- Minimalist – 58% Affordable means means room to breathe, even if minimalism isn’t the aesthetic
- Vintage Thrifter – 55% Arc Thrift and Goodwills galore but limited curated shops
- Coffee Snob – 52% Ozo at Stanley is solid, but Aurora isn’t a coffee capital
- Tech Bro – 50% Anschutz med tech growing, but Denver's where action is
- Homesteader – 48% Eastern Aurora has land but zoning limits chickens
- Cowboy – 45% National Western Stock Show nearby but suburbia creeping
- Garden Club Lifetime Member – 42% High altitude gardening tricky, short growing season challenges
Low Likelihood (0-40%)
- Retired Snowbird – 38% You'll flee to Arizona when January hits negative
- Wall Street Exec – 35% No corporate towers, you'll commute to Denver daily
- Hipster – 28% Stanley Marketplace tries hard but lacks Brooklyn grit
- Surfer Dude – 15% Quincy Reservoir wakeboarding can't replace real ocean swells
- Beach Bum – 12% Nearest beach is 1000 miles, snow isn't sand
Real Estate
A Local's Guide to Aurora, CO Real Estate
You've gotta live somewhere... right? From 70s ranch homes with questionable carpet choices to newer Southlands builds with three-car garages, Aurora has a variety of places and ways to make a home. We're going to help you understand what to expect.
Home prices are: reasonable if you're fleeing Denver, eye-opening if you're from Kansas
Homes in Aurora are typically: 70s ranch sprawl, 90s split-levels, or early-2000s tract builds marching east
The dream house would be: mid-century charmer near Stanley with a view and original hardwood
The reality is that it will most likely be: beige two-story tract home with carpet everywhere and a shared fence
I'll live anywhere except: backing onto Colfax or near certain intersections locals side-eye
As long as I'm close to: Southlands for Target runs or the Reservoir for pretending you hike
Stereotypical architecture is: builder-grade suburban sameness with exactly three floor plans per block
Sought after views: Rockies peeking over rooftops if you squint from the right upstairs window
HOAs around here are: wildly inconsistent, some chill, others fining you for mailbox fonts
Compared to where I'm moving from, housings costs are: cheaper if coastal, pricier if Midwest, a wash if Phoenix
Commonly overlooked or misunderstood housing related cost: xeriscape conversion because water bills and clay soil will humble you fast
Before buying a house, I wish I'd known: which streets flood every spring and which ones lose power monthly
Rent vs buy: rent until you're sure, then buy before California money notices Aurora exists
Aurora, CO Neighborhoods From Local Hidden Gems To Bustling Streets
Find the Aurora neighborhood that truly feels like home — start with our Aurora neighborhood guide to compare the neighborhood level quirks and perks. Not sure which neighborhood fits you best? Take our Aurora neighborhood quiz to narrow it down.
Del Mar Parkway
Del Mar Parkway is perfect for: First-time buyers who want actual yards.
Bordered by: Yosemite Street to the west, East Colfax Avenue to the north, Peoria Street to the east, and 6th Avenue to the south
Best known for: Big box convenience and strip mall sushi within walking distance.
You can spot a Del Mar Park local by: Their Costco membership and Saturday morning Home Depot runs.
Locals live here because: You get space without the commute to the sticks.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: Peoria traffic turning your 5 minute errand into 20.
The general vibe is: Suburban practicality with zero pretension.
Housing stock: Mostly 1950s–1970s ranch homes with bigger lots than newer Aurora subdivisions.
Read more: Compare Del Mar Parkway to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Altura
Altura, perfect for: Families who want space without the commute.
Generally defined as the area: Roughly between Colfax and 6th Avenue, from Yosemite/Peoria east toward Havana Street and just west of Buckley Air Force Base.
Altura is best known for: Affordable starter homes and that classic 70s ranch vibe.
You'll fit in if: you mow your lawn every Saturday without fail.
Locals live here because: the price per square foot beats everywhere else nearby.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: planes from Buckley rattling your windows at 6am.
The overall feel is: quiet suburban sprawl with good bones.
Housing mix: Mostly 1950s–70s ranch homes with basements and detached garages.
Read more: Compare Altura to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Centretech
Centretech, perfect for: Hospital employees and office workers who actually live near work.
Generally defined as the area: Roughly between Colfax Avenue to the north and Alameda Avenue to the south, from Chambers Road to the west toward Airport Boulevard on the east, centered around the Community College of Aurora and Centretech Parkway corridor.
Centretech is best known for: Proximity to the Anschutz Medical Campus, Community College of Aurora, and a mix of government offices and business parks.
You can spot a Centretech local by: Scrubs at the gas station and a med badge lanyard.
Move here if you want: A boring commute and actual parking spots.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: The airplane noise from Buckley making your calls impossible
The overall feel is: Utilitarian with zero apologies.
Local perk: Quick access to I‑225, Colfax, and the medical campus makes commuting easier than in many Aurora neighborhoods.
Read more: Compare Centretech to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Fitzsimons
Fitzsimons is perfect for: Med students and hospital employees who bike to work.
Generally defined as the area: Centered around the Anschutz Medical Campus between Colfax Avenue and Montview Boulevard, stretching roughly from Peoria Street toward Airport Boulevard.
Best known for: The Anschutz Medical Campus and and one of the fastest-growing medical research districts in Colorado.
You can spot a Fitzsimons local by: Their hospital badge still clipped on at happy hour.
Move here if you want: A 10-minute commute and actual sidewalks in Aurora.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: Construction noise that starts at 6am every single day.
The general vibe is: Suburban university town dropped into suburbia.
Local perk: Easy access to Colfax transit routes makes it one of the more connected parts of Aurora for commuting into Denver.
Read more: Compare Fitzsimons to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Cherry Creek State Park Area
Cherry Creek State Park Area, perfect for: SUV owners with kayaks permanently roof-mounted.
Generally defined as the area: Neighborhoods surrounding Cherry Creek State Park, roughly between Parker Road and Chambers Road, from Hampden Avenue down toward Quincy Avenue.
Best known for: Direct access to 4,000 acres of water and trails without leaving suburbia.
You'll fit in if: You own more bikes than cars and pregame brunches with 5K runs.
Move here if you want: A backyard that feels like it borders a national park.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: Summer weekends when the park entrance line backs up onto Parker Road.
The vibe around Cherry Creek State Park Area is: Outdoorsy but still manicured lawns.
Hidden perk: One of the best dog off‑leash areas in the entire metro sits inside the park.
Read more: Compare Cherry Creek State Park Area to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Southlands
Southlands, perfect for: Families who measure success in Target trips and youth sports schedules.
Generally defined as the area: Southeast Aurora centered around the Southlands shopping district near E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, with surrounding subdivisions spreading west toward Aurora Parkway
Best known for: The massive outdoor Southlands mall where you forgot why you came.
You'll fit in if: Your SUV has at least two youth sports stickers.
Locals live here because: Everything's new, and you never have to leave a two-mile radius.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: The soul-crushing sameness of every beige house.
The general vibe is: Suburban catalog come to life.
Local perk: Southlands hosts outdoor concerts, holiday markets, and community events that give the area a bit more life than your average suburban retail center.
Read more: Compare Southlands to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Tallyn's Reach
Tallyn's Reach: Families who actually use their three-car garages.
Generally defined as the area: Southeast Aurora centered around E Arapahoe Road, stretching south toward Quincy Avenue and east from Aurora Parkway toward Powhaton Road.
Widely recognized as the place for: Large suburban homes and quiet residential streets.
You can spot a Tallyn's Reach local by: Their SUV with youth sports stickers covering the entire back windshield.
Move here for: New construction and HOA fees that keep your neighbor's lawn perfect.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: The lack of nearby coffee shops unless you drive a few miles.
TLDR: Suburbia with training wheels on.
Neighborhood perk: Several parks and greenbelts connect the subdivisions throughout the community.
Read more: Compare Tallyn's Reach to other areas in our Aurora neighborhood guide.
Things To Do
Fun Things to Do Around Aurora, CO
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Aurora? If you like the idea of wide open skies, reservoir laps at sunrise, and global eats that humble your favorite big-city spots, Aurora is calling you home! This list of fun things to do will take you from sunrise trail loops to late-night bites and give you a real taste of Aurora's diverse outdoor and cultural scene.
- On a Saturday with perfect weather: Cherry Creek State Park before Denver discovers you're there
- When the gals come to town for the weekend: Stanley Marketplace for wine, bites, and pretending you're influencers
- Dude hangout: Dry Dock Brewing where the beer is craft and conversations flow
- Rainy dreary day: Aurora History Museum where you learn this was once actual prairie
- Artsy: Aurora Fox Arts Center for theater without the downtown parking nightmare
- Outdoorsy: Aurora Reservoir trails where suburbia meets actual Colorado wilderness vibes
- Fitness oriented: Southlands trails that make you forget strip malls exist
- If you're a shopaholic: Town Center at Aurora if you're feeling nostalgic for indoor malls
- With your dog: Cherry Creek State Park off-leash area where pups rule the universe
- Family oriented: Star K Ranch for prairie trails and kid-friendly nature exploring
- You have to see this: Plains Conservation Center where bison roam like Colorado's greatest throwback
- On a budget: Havana Street food crawl where $15 gets you fed better than downtown.
- For sports fans: Gaylord Rockies ice rink where future Avalanche stars are born
- For a nearby weekend getaway: Rocky Mountain National Park about 90 minutes away on a good traffic day
Weather
Aurora, CO Weather: All the Facts, Without the Boring Stats
Is it going to hail, snow, or maybe something worse? The summers are hot enough to fry Colfax and the winters bite but won't ruin your life. Here's what else is going on around Aurora that will impact the time you spend outside.
- Summer temps be like: Spicy but not deadly (low to mid-90s, with the occasional “why is it 99?” day)
- Winter lows are: Surprisingly chill (teens to 20s, plus the occasional single-digit reality check)
- The humidity makes me: forget what swamp air even feels like
- Unique weather patterns: Afternoon thunderstorms roll in like clockwork during summer, dumping rain for exactly 20 minutes, then vanish like nothing happened. Also, you'll experience all four seasons in a single Tuesday because Colorado weather has commitment issues.
- Local weather fashion tip: Layer like your life depends on it because that 50-degree morning becomes a 75-degree afternoon faster than you can say 'where did I put my jacket?'
- You know it's time to get out of town when: It's the third week of brown, crispy, 95-degree August and everyone collectively decides the mountains are calling
- Bugs be like: Way fewer than the Midwest, thanks to the dry air, though mosquitoes make a brief cameo after those summer storms
- You're stuck indoors again today because: A freak May snowstorm just dumped eight inches and your flip flops aren't cutting it
- Green thumb enthusiasts love: Abundant sunshine even though the clay soil fights back hard and the short growing season keeps things spicy. Raised beds are your best friend, and native plants like a good xeriscape setup.
- Your friend with allergies is always saying: 'September is trying to murder me' because ragweed season hits different on the Front Range
Traffic
Traffic, The Daily Grind, & Parking in Aurora, CO
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is: either 20 minutes or 60+, coin flip daily
Traffic congestion areas to avoid: I-225 and I-70 interchange, literally any time ever
Ability to get around without a car: is technically possible via RTD's R Line and buses, but expect transfers and patience
Locals dream of driving around in a: lifted Subaru Outback with ski racks and Blucifer stickers
The reality is that most locals drive: 10-year-old Honda CR-Vs with hail dents and a Costco membership
Quirky local driving habit: treating yellow lights as accelerate harder opportunities
The likelihood of finding parking: abundant everywhere except Southlands on Saturday, you're golden
#1 driving tip: Colfax moves slower than continental drift, plan accordingly
Fun Facts
Fun Facts You Might Not Have Known About Aurora, CO
Think you really know Aurora? It's a city with a a medical campus so large it might as well have its own skyline, Stanley Marketplace eats that you'll have to taste to believe, and historic Plains Conservation Center bison that are basically Denver's hairiest locals. Let's run through the facts, stats, and suburban surprises that showcase what makes Aurora's identity crisis actually charming.
Common nicknames for Aurora
A-Town (used casually — most people just say “Aurora”)
Local Reality Check
People think it's all strip malls. Actually has 100+ parks and open space.
You're most likely moving from
California or Texas, chasing that slightly more affordable Colorado dream
Strangely large concentration of
Ethiopian restaurants along Havana Street, one of the best outside Addis Ababa
Music scene
You live here, but you drive to Denver for the headliners
You'll have to see it to believe it
Stanley Marketplace, a former aviation plant turned 140,000 sq ft food and retail hall
Unique Geography
Stretches from dense urban grid straight into high plains grassland within city limits
Aurora is home to
Buckley Space Force Base and the state's largest medical campus
Well known for its
Stunning ethnic diversity, over 130 languages spoken in Aurora Public Schools
Fun history fact
Founded in 1891 as Fletcher, renamed Aurora after its founder, Donald Fletcher, fled town after the Silver Crash
Celebrity sightings
Amy Van Dyken and NBA's Chauncey Billups have Aurora roots
Noteworthy Census stat
Most diverse suburb in Colorado with no single ethnic majority since 2010
Most interesting sub-culture within Aurora
The thriving East African community centered around Havana and Iliff intersection
Population
3rd largest city in CO, top 60 nationwide
Aurora is roughly the same geographic size as
Aurora is geographically larger than: Boston (almost 2x more!)
Ready to dive into greenway miles, authentic global eats, and fairway views and make Aurora home? Still not sure if you're ready for Peoria traffic backups, HOA rulebook surprise, and cookie cutter sameness? Keep on reading to decide for yourself. We've just barely scratched the surface and still have plenty to share. From our more hilariously detailed neighborhood guides, to our cleverly concise moving guides, and our injera and pho will ruin you locals food guide we have more to share about Aurora to prepare you for life east of Denver without the rent premium.
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Real insights, quirks and all.
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