Map of Aurora Colorado Area
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Whether it’s on your way to Denver and you’re planning to drive through, if you’ve heard of how beautiful this city is and just want to visit, or if you’re relocating for work, Aurora, Colorado has plenty to offer you by way of places to eat, things to do and where to go and what to see.
Where is Aurora on the Map?
At just under a half-hour drive from Denver, the city of Aurora, Colorado lies immediately to the east of the capital city, a short bus ride away.
The Colorado Metropolitan Statistical Area considers Aurora one of the most important in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood triage, as well as a primary city in the Front Range Urban Corridor–the length of urban settlement along the east-facing stretch of the Southern Rockies.
It is a thriving frontier town, with not just an urban populace but also home to ranchers and farmers, because while the city of Denver lies to its west, to the east lies miles of beautiful ranch and farmland.
Population and size
The third-largest city in Colorado, Aurora covers about 399km2 or 154 square miles of city-land, with a population density of an average of 2,662 people per square mile.
Is Aurora, Colorado a good place to live?
Affordability
Aurora has been known to offer good job opportunities and there is an upward of job growth, particularly in the health and tech sectors
Safety. The average cost of living is affordable and proportional to the average annual salary recorded in the city.
The average value for homes around some parts are high, compared to other parts of the country, but there are enough affordable and well-situated options to offset this. The commute time, in relation to the national average of 26.4 minutes is 29.3 minutes
Safety
Being the third populated city in Colorado, you’ll find that the city has an active and buzzing atmosphere during the day, and at night. Every city has its ‘good parts of town’ and bad parts of town and while Aurora is definitely not a hotbed for crime, it does place third on the list of cities in Colorado’s crime rate in terms of property crimes and violent crimes.
So, it is always advised you take the same precautions you would take in any city.
What is Aurora Known for?
1.Visit Cherry Creek Reservoir
A day of fun and sun at the heart of the beautiful, sprawling Rockies is what you can expect on a visit to the Cherry Creek Reservoir. Spend the day hiking the trails, riding horses and exploring the great outdoors. You can even paddleboard, kayak or canoe on the water, if the weather permits and if you’re so inclined.
Just a 10-minute drive from the heart of the city, spend the day exploring Cherry Creek to your heart’s content.
2. Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Where the foot of the canyons and the rugged planes of the Rocky Mountains, where you can see the red sandstone rise of the aptly named Red Rocks Amphitheatre is the multi-functional event space built back in the 1900s.
You can catch local events and shows, and a multitude of other cultural activities here at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Open skies, some great food and you can kick back and enjoy the show under the starry skies of Aurora, Colorado.
3. Shop at Southlands
The premier shopping strip on the ‘Main Street’ of Aurora, Southlands Lifestyle Centre hosts shops and kiosks selling everything you’ll ever need, except eternal life and love; although, they do have a Victoria’s Secret outlet to help you with finding the latter.
What better way to spend the better part of the day weaving in and out of shops, a cold drink in hand or grab brunch with your friends at one of the many eateries along the way. Stop to watch street entertainers perform, and just enjoy the live, buzzing atmosphere.
4. Southlands Market
Speaking of shopping at the Southlands, don’t forget to keep an eye out for the open-market pop-ups and kiosks at the shopping centres. Local farmers, shopkeepers and budding small-business owners often set up a stall to display their wares.
What can you expect?
Tasty food, locally sourced, handcrafted jewellery, produce like free-range eggs, organic milk and cheese, farm-raised meat, and other products like local, handmade soap, crafts and paintings, small pop-up cafes and florists selling sweet-smelling bouquets are just some of the long list of what you can find at the Southlands Markets.
Meander along the cobbled streets with a coffee or iced drink in hand and take the opportunity to admire the lovely displays and appreciate what Aurora’s local craftsmen, farmers and businessmen have to offer.
5. Golf and Brews
People in Aurora are very serious about their brew and their golf. Brewing is a lifestyle and has a very vital and important place in the community. Don’t forget to check out local breweries.
Speaking of what people here are serious about, playing golf goes neck to neck with craft brew. The sprawling golf courses that look over to the breathtaking views provided by the Rockies all but draw avid golfers in like bees to honey, to spend the day out in the sun and on the greens.
Pros and Cons of Aurora
Here’s a list of pros and cons to help sum up what we’ve read about Aurora, Colorado
Pros
- The unparalleled panoramic views of the Rockies.
- Lovely weather: 250 days of 365 in a year of fun and sun.
- A great place to raise your family, with good school districts and planned communities, healthcare and education.
- Nature blends with the urban. The city has sprawling acres of protected land, ranches and farmlands pepper the areas east to the city and the city itself is bursting with art, culture, good food and a lively buzz.
Cons
- The cost of living here is relatively higher than the national average, as is the commute time, but not by too much.
- The housing market, too, is difficult to embrace, but the property tax rates are lower than the national average.
- You can expect to have to adjust to the altitude; the Gateway to the Rockies is over 5,000 feet above sea level.
