Insights into Aurora, please. (Denver, Center: apartments, condos, crime)

[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.

[2bindenver]

There are plenty of nice places to live in Aurora. What else is important?

[KelMel]

Price is probably the next most important aspect. If we could find a house on the lower end of our range ($150K to $250K), that would be ideal.

[steveindenver]

150-250 close to Aus. With good schools.

Not going to Happen. This is not Cleveland.

[vegaspilgrim]

Southeast Aurora. You should be able to find something 250k in a fairly decent neighborhood, although it won't be the biggest or the newest house around.
Southeast Aurora photo tour

[KelMel]

Thanks Steve. What would be a reasonable price range in Aurora with this criteria? Or are there any other areas that we should also consider?

[BillRadio]

Is your price range limited to your husband's income, or just a number you aimed for? The medical campus is located in an area where small houses and cheap motels are being torn down to be replaced by businesses that will supply the medical center. So, there are a few cheap houses in the area, but I would neither consider living there nor allow my child to attend the area schools.

There is an acceptable neighborhood nearby which is mostly new homes, condos and apartments, Stapleton. It's a great place, but $225,000 gets you a 1,000 s.f. condo, but is is nice. The schools are slightly better than Denver's average, which is not spectacular.

To find a better home in that price range, and above average schools, you'll need to drive some distance. You'll need to sacrifice one of your goals.

[Jerry Bckr]

Most likely you will be at the top end of your price range. North Aurora is where there appears to be more crime. The east side of Aurora from I-70 south on both sides of E-470 are newer and in just about all cases higher than what you want to spend for a single family home. If you look on both sides of 225, especially along the south side, you'll find older homes that you can afford in more established neighborhoods.

[ramanboy33]

I grew up in Aurora. It's a very diverse, large city (geographically it's about the same size of Denver). Generally, north Aurora is considered "undesirable" - higher crime, much more poverty, bad schools. This includes the medical campus where you husband will be working. South Aurora has less crime, less poverty, and better schools. SE Aurora in particular is as "nice" and upscale as any suburb in metro Denver. That said, SE Aurora homes are out of your price range.

In Aurora, I'd definitely look at areas in the Cherry Creek School district - not Aurora Public Schools. The difference is night and day. Here's a link to a map of the district boundaries:

http://www.ccsd.k12.co.us/documents/...istrictMap.pdf

If you're looking for a single family home with a yard between 150-250K, I'd focus on the area that feeds into Overland High School (orange color on the map) (that's where I went to HS - loved it) or some areas off Hampden (beige color) that feed into Smokey Hill HS. I would stay south of Mississippi Ave. The homes were built in the 1970's and 1980's, but both of those areas are nice, will have good schools, are in your price range, and will be an easy commute for your husband. The areas of the district further south get more expensive, are a longer commute and, at your price range, would get you into a town home (if there are any in the neighborhood).

Edit: There's a photo post on here of the Mission Viejo neighborhood of Aurora. That's he beige area I referenced above. Take a look. It'll give you a good idea what the area is like.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/denve...hoto-tour.html

[vegaspilgrim]

Thanks for referencing my photo thread, ramanboy!