Insights into Aurora, please.

[ramanboy33]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

Thanks for referencing my photo thread, ramanboy!

Not a problem. I appreciate your photo threads.

[the3Ds]

If you want to live in Aurora, then come over to my side of the city. Southeast Aurora is really the only place worth considering, especially if you've got young kids and are thinking of staying long enough to have them in school. My zip code is 80015, but it's closer to 80016. Technically it's in an unincorporated part of Arapahoe County and sits right between the city lines of Centennial and Aurora. It's right near the Southlands Mall and in the neighborhood called Saddle Rock Ridge. Our house is one of the more expensive homes in our subdivision, but it's a good mixture of smaller and larger homes. Our house was $265,000 but that bought us a 2000+ sq foot, 4bedrooms, 3 baths, backs to open space with walkout basement. There are a few homes for sale in our neighborhood but I'm happy to say that many of those that were for sale have been sold already. It's in the Cherry Creek School District. In our neighborhood, there are 2 elementary schools and both are excellent. There are tons of kids in the neighborhood for your kids to grow up around and I belong to a great mom's group with members from the area. I had my baby at UCH last year and the drive from our neighborhood to the hospital was no big deal (and you don't even have to drive on the E-470 toll road). You can google Saddle Rock Ridge homes and get an idea of what is out there. The development is relatively new (about 10 years old) and the location is great. There is also a wonderful pediatrician's office just down Smoky Hill Road and plenty of stuff to do, including a great recreation center for your kids to take swim, karate, ballet, dance, etc, classes. The crime rate is relatively low and there is great diversity in our neighborhood without any of the hostility that usually accompanies it. If you really want to live in Aurora, I would highly recommend you start here. There are about 2,000 houses in Saddle Rock Ridge so I'm sure you will find something you like.

[David Aguilar]

Originally Posted by ramanboy33

I would stay south of Mississippi Ave.

I was really trying not to reply to this thread, but this really got me.


I live north of Mississippi Ave, in fact, I live between it and Alameda, east of Peoria, in a neighborhood known as Aurora Hills.

It takes me about TEN minutes to get to Fitzsimons.

There are plenty of homes here in the OP's price range.

No incidences of crime in the past year, which is as long as I've been in this neighborhood.

To my initial surprise, this neighborhood is full of boring old people that have lived in their homes forever.

The one thing that this neighborhood doesn't have, is the prototypical "good schools". Average test scores are low, student body is diverse, buildings aren't brand new, etc. My stepson attends one of the two neighborhood elementary schools and does just fine, and likes this APS school better than his previous Cherry Creek School. But, I know it isn't the child's opinion that counts.

So, from someone who lives in one of the more "undesirable" parts of Aurora, with this undesirability comes, a short commute, nice and big affordable homes, no crime (yet, if ever, or very often), taller trees/mature landscaping, neighborhood parks, low residential turnover, and schools within walking distance.

When we made our last (hopefully last, too) move, I was willing to concede the "great schools" philosophy, which was one I didn't buy into anyway. I attended "poor schools" as I child and excelled, and I personally believe the success of a child lies within the parents.

We choose not to afford neighborhoods with "good schools". We didn't/don't want to pay through the nose for housing. We can afford a lot more, but choose to enjoy life in other ways too. I don't want to have to endure a much longer commute so my kid can attend a school with higher test scores, it doesn't guarantee he will as well. I could spend that extra time off the road with him, helping him with homework.

Sorry folks, there just aren't too many things I turn my nose up to.

[ramanboy33]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

I was really trying not to reply to this thread, but this really got me.


I live north of Mississippi Ave, in fact, I live between it and Alameda, east of Peoria, in a neighborhood known as Aurora Hills.

It takes me about TEN minutes to get to Fitzsimons.

There are plenty of homes here in the OP's price range.

No incidences of crime in the past year, which is as long as I've been in this neighborhood.

To my initial surprise, this neighborhood is full of boring old people that have lived in their homes forever.

The one thing that this neighborhood doesn't have, is the prototypical "good schools". Average test scores are low, student body is diverse, buildings aren't brand new, etc. My stepson attends one of the two neighborhood elementary schools and does just fine, and likes this APS school better than his previous Cherry Creek School. But, I know it isn't the child's opinion that counts.

So, from someone who lives in one of the more "undesirable" parts of Aurora, with this undesirability comes, a short commute, nice and big affordable homes, no crime (yet, if ever, or very often), taller trees/mature landscaping, neighborhood parks, low residential turnover, and schools within walking distance.

When we made our last (hopefully last, too) move, I was willing to concede the "great schools" philosophy, which was one I didn't buy into anyway. I attended "poor schools" as I child and excelled, and I personally believe the success of a child lies within the parents.

We choose not to afford neighborhoods with "good schools". We didn't/don't want to pay through the nose for housing. We can afford a lot more, but choose to enjoy life in other ways too. I don't want to have to endure a much longer commute so my kid can attend a school with higher test scores, it doesn't guarantee he will as well. I could spend that extra time off the road with him, helping him with homework.

Sorry folks, there just aren't too many things I turn my nose up to.

I feel the need to defend myself a bit. Maybe I did come off a bit harsh and judgmental of North Aurora - I didn't mean in that way at all. I tired to put things like "more undesirable" in quotes because that is the general feeling or stereotype many people have (whether deserved or not). I lived in Aurora for 20 years. Personally, I'd rather live in North Aurora that SE Aurora (notice how put "nice" in quotes when describing it). I'll take grit and character over bland, boring, cookie-cutter conformity any day.

I was merely telling the OP to stay South of Mississippi because of her post. It seemed to me the two most important things for her were living in an area where she feels safe and that has top notch schools (keeping within her budget of course). In any measure, CC has better schools that APS - I'm not gonna back down on that point. Mississippi Ave is the general boarder between the two districts. That's why I said what I did.

If the OP had said something like "I have no kids so school's aren't a concert, I'm looking for a short commute to the Airport, I want to buy a house for around 100k, and I want a diverse neighborhood with good ethnic food and some cool cultural centers nearby" I would have recommend North Aurora, perhaps somewhere near the Fox theater.

[vegaspilgrim]

The area where David lives is really "Central Aurora," if you ask me. Central Aurora is fine with me, although I prefer along Iliff or if further north, at least east of Chambers. When I think of Buckingham Square and the Aurora Mall, I still want to go "ewww..." even though the Aurora mall has been revamped a little bit. The shopping center north of the Aurora mall, north of Alameda is a pretty good one, IMO. The Aurora central library is an excellent library, a true asset to the community.

North Aurora is north of 6th ave. I would not recommend anybody live in north Aurora and I'm highly skeptical of the supposed "revitalization" that is happening there. I know people who own some properties on Colfax and I've been up there as recently as last month and it's really the same mess, same problems, same crime, same urban blight up there's that's been there for years. The only thing that has changed is the composition of the ethnicities. What used to be mostly black, then a lot of Koreans, is now mainly Hispanic. The CU Hospital complex is nice, but it hasn't affected the neighborhoods further to the west one iota.

BTW, ramanboy, the CCSD district boundaries are a little jagged. Up by Havana it indeed goes up to Mississippi, that's where most of the Overland HS attendance area is. Also there's a charter/magnet/whateveritscalled K-8 school known as the "Challenge School." Then further east, the boundary is Hampden Ave, with just one or two exceptions. I don't know the statistics but supposedly Rangeview HS, by Iliff & Buckley, isn't too bad.

[KelMel]

Thank you everyone for all of your opinions. See vegaspilgrims' photo tour really got me excited about Aurora. I like that there seems to be something for everyone depending on what area of town you are in. I am going to look more into the areas you have all described. My factors that I have posted as considerations are flexible, so I think with all the info that you have given, we can find something that would suit us.

[David Aguilar]

Yeah, ramanboy, vegaspilgrim is right, where I live is Central Aurora, not North Aurora. I'd disagree a little on vegas's border, however, and say North Aurora would begin a few blocks north of Alameda, maybe at 1st Ave. But it all doesn't really matter anyway.

Originally Posted by ramanboy33

I tired to put things like "more undesirable" in quotes because that is the general feeling or stereotype many people have (whether deserved or not). I lived in Aurora for 20 years. Personally, I'd rather live in North Aurora that SE Aurora (notice how put "nice" in quotes when describing it). I'll take grit and character over bland, boring, cookie-cutter conformity any day.

I agree wholeheartedly with this.

Originally Posted by ramanboy33

I was merely telling the OP to stay South of Mississippi because of her post. It seemed to me the two most important things for her were living in an area where she feels safe and that has top notch schools (keeping within her budget of course).

It sounds like the OP wants to stay in the lower end of her price range, and that would be much harder to do further south. It will be very hard to get a decent house, good schools, and short commute at the lower end of their price range.

Originally Posted by ramanboy33

In any measure, CC has better schools that APS - I'm not gonna back down on that point. Mississippi Ave is the general boarder between the two districts. That's why I said what I did.

No need to back down and/or defend yourself on this, I know overall, APS can't hold a candle to CC.

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

When I think of Buckingham Square and the Aurora Mall, I still want to go "ewww..." even though the Aurora mall has been revamped a little bit.

Buckingham Square has been torn down. The yuppification of the site is in progress. Aurora Mall is the typical average mall IMO. I obviously wasn't here when they (at least Buckingham) were considered bad. I've shopped at the Target next to Buckingham and didn't see anything wrong with it or its clientele, and thought it was nicer overall than the one at I-225/Alameda. I see what people don't like about Aurora Mall, and I'll just leave it at that, but I still go there very occasionally. I'm not a big shopper.

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I would not recommend anybody live in north Aurora and I'm highly skeptical of the supposed "revitalization" that is happening there. I know people who own some properties on Colfax and I've been up there as recently as last month and it's really the same mess, same problems, same crime, same urban blight up there's that's been there for years. The only thing that has changed is the composition of the ethnicities. What used to be mostly black, then a lot of Koreans, is now mainly Hispanic. The CU Hospital complex is nice, but it hasn't affected the neighborhoods further to the west one iota.

I think I would live in North Aurora, if I had to, but it isn't something I'd be too excited about. I think if a person can afford better, they should do better. I, too am skeptical of the revitalization there, as the new Fitz seemingly hasn't done a thing for the surrounding neighborhoods, only the area immediately adjacent to the hospital. You can easily tell that very few people working at the hospitals live nearby, by looking at the line to get off on Colfax on both sides of I-225.

As far as CCSD's boundaries, they even go up to Alameda just west of me, in the neighborhood that surrounds Expo Park. That neighborhood's borders are Alameda/Peoria/Mississippi/Havana.

[AuroraHouse]

Originally Posted by KelMel

Hello,

My husband I and are considering relocating to the Aurora area. He would work at the Anschutz Medical Center. We would like to live in an area that would have a convenient commute for him. Our definition of convenient is under 30 minutes. Although, the closer the better.

We have a 2 year old and one on the way, so good public schools would also be a big consideration for us in the future. In the near term, we would like to look into reasonable daycares and preschools. If anyone would please provide price ranges to expect, that would be great.

On some of the other threads, I have read that crime is an issue for some in Aurora. The statistics available compared to the rest of the country do not appear to be that bad. I am living in the New Orleans area, so that probably also gives me a different perspective.

Our price range is between 150K and 250K.

I would greatly appreciate any insights on what areas we should focus on and if this is a family-friendly place to relocate. I have read many of the other threads about Aurora, including a very nice photo spread. It seems like a very nice place to live.

Thank you for sharing your opinions.

Hi,
The Anschutz Center is just a few blocks from a house we have for rent. The homes are brick and were built in the 50's. They are solid and well built. You can easily find a house within walking distance in the Hoffman Heights neighborhood that is in your price range. They are mostly ranch style houses and have big lots with trees. We loved the neighborhood and lived in this house (happily) for many years. The Anschutz Center and the whole of CU Medical Center has caused this neighborhood to start getting much better in terms of restaurants and other amenities. Check it out. The zip code is 80011. Crime is not an issue, esp. in comparison to New Orleans. I'm happy to answer any questions you many have.
Linda

[steveindenver]

If you want to live in Aurora, then come over to my side of the city. Southeast Aurora is really the only place worth considering,

Translation. If you have to drive until you can qualify for a new(er) home take the hour commute to Kansas i.e. Southeast Aurora. Expect to drive for a long time to everything and live amongst a ton of forclosures.

I'm headed out in a few minutes to move from granite for a buddy who just bought a forclosure a block away from another good friend in the 80010 Aurora neighborhood near Colfax. 58 grand, a huge lot 3 bedrooms 2 baths. Oh no though! this is North Aurora! You know -- the one where you don't need a car and yet because their are blacks and hispanics every county raised white person fears.

Let me make this as clear as I can. People who bag on North Aurora don't live in Denver. They live in segregated almost always white only communities full of SUV's and poorly built stick houses way the hell away from anything. They live in Colorado -- and have about as much of a right to comment on these areas in Denver as they do about Northen Wyoming.

[Augie Daugie]

Also check out East Denver in the 80220 area code. There are some decent deal to be had, and its much safer than areas around AMC.