Is Aurora safe enough? (Naperville, Plainfield: for sale, real estate, crime rates)

[lookingaroundil]

I'm considering a move to Aurora, but I was a little floored when I saw the crime rates. Is Aurora safe enough to live or not? I'll be on my own as a woman so safety is a pretty high consideration.

Also, are there areas that are safe but more affordable? If so, I'd be really grateful if anyone can tell me where to look specifically. I'm looking to buy a house, but I'm hoping to stay under around $170,000.

Thanks!

[sgresident]

The east side of aurora, closer to downtown, is not such a great area. the area by fox valley mall is better. also, the west side. you might want to consider north aurora for a townhouse. I don't really know any areas where prices are under 170,000

[TennisDD]

Sgresident is correct. Aurora is a big city(I think the second largest in IL). It does suffer a horrible reputation, but that is mainly downtown, near east side of town. The area by the Fox Valley Mall is nice, tons of shopping, but suburban sprawl at it's best with the traffic.
The west side is more rural and is nice. Don't know what 170K would get you. Good luck.

[studedude]

Check the Boulder Hill area of Montgomery. It's just south of Aurora. It's in unincorporated Kendall County making prices and taxes lower than Aurora.

[Steve-o]

NW Aurora (near Peck Road, etc) is much nicer than East Aurora. The areas near the Fox Valley Mall are pretty decent, and areas just south of there are immaculate (ie White Eagle). Just stay away from downtown and you should be fine. I mean, downtown isnt horrible, but the neighborhoods on the south and east of downtown are pretty rough. Id look on the far East side or NW side, as you can bypass central Aurora altogether, and have a nice, quiet place (mainly the NW side).

[Lookout Kid]

As a rule of thumb in places like Aurora, the least affordable places are usually the safest.

[TempesT68]

As mentioned above stay away from the east side and downtown. fox valley, north aurora and far south aurora are all nice places. A friend of mine got a brand new townhouse near 95th and 59 in aurora for around 185,000 in a nice area, might be worth looking into.

[MannheimMadman]

95th and IL59 is South Naperville, which is why it seems like a nice area. I wouldn't say that's even on the cusp of Aurora. Close to Plainfield, yes. However, still a little ways from the mall and the Aurora area.

FWIW, I lived with my buddy in the "Hometown" neighborhood in Aurora. While I felt safe for the most part, the neighborhood is bordered by some pretty interesting housing. During my time living there, I witnessed smashed car windows with a decent frequency, and one time we found a car that had been stolen, stripped, and put on cinder blocks in an empty field.

However- when you can get new SFH starting at $159K, you have to remember that it may attract the good and the less than good. There's a strong Hispanic presence there, if you don't mind it.

[aiwei]

170K would not get much of a single family home in that area, if you are looking for a nice neighborhood. You might find some 3 bedrooms/ 1 bath in Boulder Hill, but these will probably be older homes, built around 1970s. I suggest you use an online real estate website, like ZipRealty Real Estate -- Homes for sale and local real estate agents to do some research. I have just moved from Boulder Hill and once a while I check the market of my old hometown just for fun. I noticed the prices are slowly edging down so you might find something in that area that is in your budget. One plus of BH: low tax compares to neighboring towns.

[cavewoman]

The housing market everywhere is a buyers market.
go for the nicer areas and bid low....some people have to move and your timing is great. Negotiate...