A Relocator's Guide to Aurora

Currently ranked as the third largest city in Colorado, Aurora has seen its fair share of new residents in recent years. In fact, Aurora has consistently been ranked as one of Colorado’s –– and the U.S.'s as a whole –– most desired places to live for relocators.

For good reason: the state’s welcoming tax regulations, family-friendly environment, and endless outdoor beauties make Aurora homes for sale extremely enticing for relocators. Before making the move, learn everything you need to know about the Aurora lifestyle.

Colorado is well-known for the majesty of its natural wonders. But not every city in the state is conveniently located so that residents can enjoy all that natural beauty.

Luckily, Aurora is situated nearby all the sites that you’d want to enjoy. It’s just minutes away from downtown Denver, the state’s largest and most eclectic area. If you’ve ever felt the need for a home away from home for a weekend, Aurora is a perfect place to plan a weekend away in Denver.

Next, it’s important to note that Aurora is also close to Denver International Airport. If your job sends you away for extended periods of time, or you and your family are frequent fliers, then Aurora is an ideal home base. What’s even better is that an hour’s drive in the other direction puts you squarely in the heart of the Rockies, so nature is right at your doorstep.

Of course, one of the first highlights that any relocator to the Centennial State is sure to mention is its natural beauty. The city itself extends over 8,000 acres into untouched wilderness. So weekend hikes, camping trips, birding expeditions, or simple outdoor picnics are always at hand. If you have pets at home, you can also get some socializing in by driving to the nearby Cherry Creek State Park for over 100 acres of canine-friendly fields.

For a more all-inclusive stay in the Rockies, the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center is a must-visit. Here, Aurora relocators can get the full experience of a resort stay in the mountains. It includes an indoor waterpark, pools, and a world-class convention center that has featured acts like Cirque du Soleil and Santa Claus recently.

The whole family will be sure to come away from a weekend at the Gaylord with a new appreciation of nature –– especially lounging in a hot bath with the snow blowing outside.

Despite being a city relatively far from the coasts of the U.S., Aurora might just take the cake as the most diverse when it comes to dining options. No doubt influenced by Aurora’s variety of residents, you don’t have to go far within the city limits to taste a new country’s cuisine every night.

First, all relocators should try one of Aurora’s most famous watering holes, the Lady Justice Brewing Company. Inspired by its Latina owners, this large-scale brewery is home to hundreds of unique beverages that would be hard to find anywhere in the midwest or Rockies.

Get a taste of multiple cuisines at one time when you visit the Stanley Marketplace. Here, you can walk around a wide-open repurposed factory and sample a variety of cultures, from New York’s Rosenberg’s Bagels and Deli to the Mexican stylings of Comida. Taste Mexico’s best by dining in at La Cueva, which has been an Aurora mainstay for over four decades.

Aurora, CO, has been at the center of much of the history of the west. Located at the crossroads of many Native American thoroughfares, battlegrounds, and commercial centers, Aurora is a rich site for history lovers.

Head over to the Aurora History Museum first to get a wide-angle lens of the birth and growth of the city. This small museum packs a punch with a diverse assortment of historic photographs, relics, and replicas (check out the Colfax Trolley Car for a vision of the past).

Next, check out the natural wonders of central Colorado at the Morrison Nature Center. Here you can get an outdoor view –– in miniature –– of some of the highlights of Aurora’s flora and fauna. The nature center houses an extensive wild bird feeding area, a walking trail for naturalists, and a variety of field guides for sale that will enlighten your next trek into the mountains.

Finally, don’t miss the Plains Conservation Area to the south of the city center. The proprietors of this institution have painstakingly preserved the landscape and grasslands of the central-western Colorado plains for us to enjoy today. You can also see replicas of the Cheyenne Indian wigwams placed alongside the nature preserves.

Finally, plan to visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, easily one of the most famous outdoor music venues in the U.S. If you or your family are music lovers, it’s hard to overstate the importance of having this legendary music site on your doorstep.

Red Rocks boasts one of the busiest music calendars in the state, so there’s always a show to see nearly year-round. Don’t forget to check out the on-site barbecue joint after the show to get a taste of true Colorado mountain fare.

While this is the end of this roundup of the relocator’s guide to Aurora, there is so much more to love about the area. The city is conveniently located in the middle of the state, and it’s close to everything that the state has to offer, whether natural or cultural.

If you have any questions or comments about houses for sale in Aurora, CO, reach out today. Contact Realtor Jennifer Stuckey today for more information and keep learning about why Aurora is a great place to relocate to. Read her Buyers Guide here.