If a job opportunity in Aurora, CO is making you consider moving, you’ll be pleased to learn that residents and business owners in this great Denver suburb enjoy excellent value for their money. The city boasts award-winning public safety, beautiful open spaces and parks, plenty of recreational activities, and many educational and community events. One thing may be holding you back: you don’t own a car. Aurora in general is a car-dependent city, with most errands requiring a car – unless you live in just the right neighborhood. Here are three examples of where to live in Aurora CO where you can enjoy easy access to bike trails, public transportation and many amenities within walking distance of your new home.
Northwest Aurora
A nearly 2-square-mile neighborhood, Northwest Aurora is located north of Colfax Ave between Yosemite St on the west and Peoria St on the east. The neighborhood is home to about 20,000 residents, more than 50% of whom are Hispanic. Most of the residences in this neighborhood are one- or two-bedroom apartments, and many of the apartment buildings are renovated properties originally built in the 1950s.
If you’re looking for an affordable place to live in Aurora, Northwest Aurora could be the right neighborhood for you. Average home prices are less than other areas of Aurora, adding to the savings you already enjoy by not having a car.
- Walkability: There are about 50 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in Northwest Aurora, and the most walkable part of the neighborhood is at the southern edge along Colfax Ave. Here, you’ll find many choices in terms of restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores. You have the best chance of being able to walk to these amenities if you live between Colfax Ave and 17th Ave.
- Public transportation: For errands and outings not found within walking distance of your home, there’s always the public transportation system. Northwest Aurora has about six bus lines running through it. In just 30 minutes on a bus, you can get as far west as the Denver Zoo, further east than I-225, and nearly as far south as Cherry Creek Reservoir.
- Bikeability: If you prefer to bike, you’ll be pleased that Northwest Aurora is a very bikeable neighborhood. Hop on and ride to lunch, visit the Moorhead Recreation Center, or take your time riding through Montview Park. The Northwest Aurora neighborhood is small enough that you can easily ride from one end to the other on your bike.
Del Mar Parkway
Located precisely south of Northwest Aurora is Del Mar Parkway, home to more than 16,000 residents. Colfax Ave borders the north edge of the neighborhood, which extends west to Yosemite St, south to 7th Ave and east to Peoria St. Nearly 50% of the residents here are Hispanic, and again, 1- to 2-bedroom rented apartments originally built in the 1950s are the most common type of housing in the neighborhood, though single-family homes are also available.
- Walkability: Del Mar Parkway is home to Aurora Central High School and a handful of beautiful parks and recreation areas, along with more than 60 restaurants, bars and coffee shops. You’re most likely to be able to walk to many of your errands if you live on the north side of the neighborhood near Colfax Ave. The southeast corner of the neighborhood near Del Mar Circle also has several restaurant options.
- Public transportation: Getting around by bus is also an option in this neighborhood. With about six bus lines passing through Del Mar Parkway, chances are you can walk to a bus stop close to home and travel wherever you want to go.
- Bikeability: It’s also very convenient to ride a bike through Del Mar Parkway. Bike paths are available along all main roads so you can reach your destination safely, even if you’re traveling on only two wheels instead of four. Lack of hills in Aurora adds to the ease of biking here.
City Center
With a population just over 5,000, the 1-square-mile City Center neighborhood is bordered by Alameda Ave to the north, Chambers Rd to the east, Mississippi Ave to the south and I-225 to the west. People of Caucasian and Hispanic origin dominate the area. A variety of housing is available here, from modern apartment complexes to spacious single-family homes. Many housing communities are built with a park in the center, giving you a chance to enjoy the beautiful Colorado weather.
- Walkability: With nearly 80 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in this 1-square-mile neighborhood, the amenities you can walk to within City Center are vast. Town Center at Aurora is located in the northwest part of the neighborhood, which includes many retail stores and a movie theater. City Center Marketplace Shopping Center is technically east of Chambers Rd, but it boasts restaurants, a Laundromat, gym, liquor store and more within close proximity to the neighborhood.
- Public transportation: For such a small neighborhood, City Center offers an impressive number of bus lines – 10 to be exact. This makes it easy to hop on a bus and travel wherever you want to go around Aurora.
- Bikeability: There’s some amount of biking infrastructure in City Center, making it a viable place to hop on your bike and ride. Many neighborhoods are also strategically located near grocery stores, restaurants, bars and areas of entertainment so you can easily and safely reach them on your bike.
With neighborhoods boasting such excellent walkability, bikeability and public transportation options, you clearly have many options if you’re trying to figure out where to live in Aurora CO without a car.
