The city was once a suburb of Denver, but now it’s a city in its own right. You’ll find opportunities to improve your life and fantastic growth potential for the future. You can live in Aurora, CO for less than what it might cost to live elsewhere in the area, and get a better quality of life as well. If you need something from Denver, or if your commute takes you there, it’s an easy trip, but there’s not much that you can’t find right in your own city.
27 Surprisingly Awesome Reasons To Live In Aurora, CO
1. It’s Cheaper To Buy Insurance In Aurora Than In Denver
Whether you’re looking for Aurora Renters Insurance, auto insurance, or to insure the home you’ve just purchased, personal lines insurance prices are generally lower in Aurora than in Denver. The difference is significant enough in many cases to mean that you can get more coverage and still pay less. Both are, of course, always beneficial.
2. Aurora Is Slightly Higher Than Much Of Denver
It’s a silly thing, we suppose, but if you’re the sort of person who enjoys speaking in superlatives, Aurora might just be the perfect place for you. At an official elevation of 5,471 feet (1,648 meters), Aurora sits nearly two hundred feet higher than the step of the State Capitol Building from which Denver is measured.
3. Aurora’s Most Famous Son Is Currently The Secretary Of State
While many know John Kerry as the Senator from Massachusetts (and former Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth), he was actually born in Aurora, CO. Not many cities can boast that a Senator, Presidential candidate, and Cabinet member trace their history to the city.
4. Aurora Is Growing Rapidly And Creating Opportunities For Residents
With a population change of over twenty-five percent since 2000, Aurora is growing faster than most cities. Job growth has come with that, but opportunities to start businesses have come with the population change as well and that’s always good for the economy.
5. Aurora Is Committed To Helping Small Businesses To Grow And Hire
The city of Aurora knows that small businesses are crucial to growth and the economy and works hard to help them thrive and compete. With a focus on business retention, expansion, and attraction, the city works hard to make sure that the local economy is the right place to grow a business and create jobs, even operating the Aurora Small Business Development Center to provide additional assistance.
6. Median Household Income Continues To Grow
When you’re looking for a city to move to, you want to be convinced of its viability as a long-term home for your family. Aurora certainly is, with a median income of $49,142 that continues to increase over time.
7. Aurora Is An Educated City
Thirty-five percent of Aurora residents over the age of 25 have a bachelors, graduate, or professional degree.
8. Aurora Is A Safe City
Not only are you likely to share values with your neighbors, which is important if you’re raising a family, but crime is down overall.
9. Aurora Has Great Weather
More than 300 days of sunshine each year, in fact, so you can’t go wrong with living here. Sometimes it’s a bit colder here than in Florida, admittedly, but you’ll get just about as much sunshine!
10. You Can Get Anywhere From Here
Aurora is about as close as you can live to the airport without worrying too much about the noise levels. Don’t forget about I-70, I-226, and the E-470 to get where you’re going, as well!
11. If You Like The Outdoors, You’ll Love Aurora
With over 10,000 acres of parks and trails, Aurora places a significant value on the availability of outdoor recreation. This also leads to a healthier population and always being able to find something to do.
12. Aurora Values Local Art
More than 240 pieces of public art are on display in various places in the city. In addition, the city has a thriving local art community.
13. Aurora Has A Significant Convention Industry
Whether you’re looking to come here for your next meeting or convention, or you live here and you’re thinking of starting a business to cater to all of those people from out of town, this is a great place to be.
14. Beer
In a state known for its micro-breweries and high quality beer, Aurora stands out above the drown. A great example of this is the Mu Brewery, conveniently located in the Aurora Cultural Arts District. The company values their participation in the community, and support the local arts as well as making great beer.
15. Aurora Is The Fittest City In America
According to BetterDoctor.com, Aurora is the #1 most fit city in America. One of the criteria is that a city has to make it easy to make exercise a part of your daily routine, and the parks and trails that are such an important part of the town play into this. Interestingly enough, many of the other top ten cities were in more temperate climates, which suggests that local residents value outdoor activities in all weather.
16. Aurora Is The Best Large City For Working Women
If you’re female and your career is important to you, Aurora might just be the perfect place to live. NerdWallet ranked cities based on earnings of women, income equality, and population growth and Aurora is the best city of its size for women who want to be a part of the workforce.
17. Bacon And Beer, Just Down The Road
While technically in Denver, the Bacon and Beer Festival is easily accessible and gives you the two most important things in life combined in one place. We are still waiting for bacon flavored beer and beer flavored bacon, however.
18. You’ll Have A Real Impact On National Elections
Colorado is a swing state, so your vote really counts. If you live in Texas, you know how those Electoral College delegates will vote long before the election is held. Colorado holds mystery and the ability to participate in your nation’s governance in a way that really matters.
19. Gambling Is Just Minutes Away
If you like to gamble, but don’t want the hassle of a trip to Las Vegas, you can just go a few miles west to Blackhawk or Central City. You’ll find the gambling and the buffets without the overdone glitz of larger gambling meccas.
20. If You Don’t Like The Weather…
…You can just close your eyes and turn around three times and when you open your eyes the weather will have changed! It’s not quite that fluid, of course, but you’ll be surprised at the variety of weather you get to experience. Just because a day starts off gray and rainy doesn’t mean you can’t be out hiking in a few hours.
21. It’s Not Wherever You’re Moving From
Aurora has its own personality, and it’s a friendly one that you’ll quickly grow to like. It’s entirely different from wherever it is that you’re moving from, and that personality and identity is one of the things that makes living in Aurora attractive. Are you currently living in a city that is a little too much, well, “every other city in America”? Aurora has a unique charm you won’t find in other cities of similar size.
22. If You Enjoy Food, Aurora Is Like Chicago, But With Mountains
You’ll be surprised at the number, diversity, and quality of local restaurants. Whether you’re looking for ethnic food or just a great steak, Aurora always has something special to offer, complete with local charm.
23. Infinte Neighborhood Options
Do you want to live within walking distance of a grocery store, but you have to have a school that can support a particular need of your child AND you want to buy a duplex and rent the other half for some extra cash? You can find that listing in Aurora easily.
On the other hand, if you want easy access to everything, but privacy and seclusion, you’ll find that listing on the market, too.
No matter what you need from a neighborhood, or even a home, you’ll find it in Aurora. The best part is that Aurora still has affordable home prices, so you can get started with your own personal version of the American Dream right here.
24. Light Rail
Hate driving? Or just prefer more eco-friendly transportation? The RTD R line will run the whole length of I-225, giving you easy access to many options. From this line, you’ll be able to get just about anywhere in the Denver metro area easily and for a cost that amounts to pocket change.
On the other hand, if you love driving, the local highways should be much less congested once the light rail line opens, because drivers are expected to flock to it – especially commuters.
25. Happiness Is A Local Pastime
People in Colorado are generally happier, and Aurora is no exception! As a matter of fact, Colorado is the fourth happiest state according to WalletHub. Trust us, it will rub off on you!
26. Trust
Speaking of trust, there tends to be more of it among neighbors in Aurora. It’s a Colorado thing, we think. It means that you know the people around you, you trust them, and you can approach someone with a question without them automatically wondering what the scam is. Trust is generally a positive indicator for overall quality of life.
27. Living At Altitude Might Give You A Longer, Healthier Life
The Chicago Tribune ran an article by William Hagerman a few years back that made a good case for a correlation between life at a higher altitude and better fitness, lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and generally improved overall health along with a reduction in obesity. The connection with losing weight at altitude has actually been known for almost 100 years.
According to the Tribune, seven of the top ten counties in the U.S. for longevity were high-altitude counties in Colorado.
Some Additional Thoughts About Aurora
If these aren’t enough reasons for you to consider living in Aurora, CO, you should check out some other local resources.
Once you’re set on moving here, you should know that most apartments will require you to have renters insurance. You can learn more in our video guide below, or just call (800)892-4308 or click to get covered - whether you need Aurora renters insurance quotes online or coverage anywhere else!
Effective Coverage offers the nation's only completely mobile platform to quote and purchase renters insurance right from your phone or tablet in just one minute. Get an online renters insurance quote today and protect your family.
Photo Credit: Bradley Gordon Welcome To Colorful Colorado CC BY 2.0