Is Aurora a Good Place to Live

Whether or not you’re a younger skilled searching for flats for lease in Aurora or a possible homebuyer looking for the right home within the metropolis, this Chicago suburb has one thing to supply everybody. Nonetheless, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of relocating to a brand new metropolis earlier than taking the leap.. On this article, we’ll discover the professionals and cons of dwelling in Aurora and make it easier to decide whether or not or not this metropolis is the proper match for you.

Professionals of dwelling in Aurora

1. Housing is comparatively inexpensive

In comparison with many cities within the Chicago space, housing in Aurora is comparatively inexpensive. The median residence worth in Aurora is round $249,000, which is considerably decrease than the median residence worth in close by cities like Naperville ($481,000) or Oak Brook ($1,250,000). Moreover, the town affords a spread of housing choices, together with flats, condos, and single-family properties, which may accommodate a wide range of budgets. Total, for these searching for inexpensive housing choices within the Chicago space, Aurora is unquestionably value contemplating.

2. There are glorious colleges in Aurora

Aurora, Illinois is residence to a number of nice colleges that present college students with high-quality academic alternatives. Town is served by 4 college districts, together with Aurora Public Faculties District 131, Indian Prairie College District 204, Oswego Neighborhood Unit College District 308, and West Aurora College District 129. These districts collectively function over 70 colleges, together with elementary, center, and excessive colleges. Aurora colleges are identified for his or her numerous pupil inhabitants and dedication to tutorial excellence. Town has a number of specialised applications and colleges for presented and proficient college students. As well as, Aurora is residence to plenty of greater training establishments, together with Aurora College and Waubonsee Neighborhood Faculty.

3. Chicago is only a quick drive away from Aurora

One of many main benefits of dwelling in Aurora is its proximity to Chicago. Positioned simply 40 miles west of the town, Aurora gives residents with quick access to all that the Windy Metropolis has to supply, together with world-class museums, eating places, and cultural occasions. For individuals who work in Chicago, dwelling in Aurora is usually a extra inexpensive choice than dwelling within the metropolis itself, whereas nonetheless offering entry to all of the facilities of city dwelling.

golfer putting on a golf course

4. There are many actions for locals to get pleasure from

Aurora affords residents a wealth of leisure alternatives. Town has a number of parks, starting from small neighborhood playgrounds to bigger regional parks with sports activities fields, picnic areas, and nature trails. A few of the hottest parks in Aurora embrace Phillips Park, which contains a golf course, zoo, and aquatic heart, and the Fox River Path, a scenic path that runs alongside the Fox River and is ideal for mountain climbing, biking, and jogging. As well as, the town has many group facilities and sports activities complexes, providing a wide range of applications and actions for all ages. Whether or not you get pleasure from outside recreation or indoor actions, Aurora has one thing to supply for everybody.

5. Aurora is stuffed with historic sights

Aurora is residence to a wealthy historical past that’s preserved in lots of historic websites all through the town. The Tanner Home Museum, for instance, is a fantastically restored 1857 mansion that provides guests a glimpse into the lifetime of Aurora’s early settlers. The Aurora Historic Society maintains a number of different historic buildings and websites, together with the David L. Pierce Artwork and Historical past Middle, the G.A.R. Memorial Museum, and the Roundhouse and Locomotive Depot. Moreover, the town’s downtown space options a number of historic buildings which have been repurposed as eating places, outlets, and different companies, including to the realm’s attraction and character.

Cons of dwelling in Aurora

1. Socializing alternatives are restricted

Town has usually been criticized for its lack of nightlife choices. Regardless of being one of many largest cities within the state, the town’s downtown space is comparatively quiet after darkish, with restricted choices for leisure, eating, and socializing. Many residents have expressed disappointment on the lack of bars, golf equipment, and music venues within the space, which may make it troublesome for locals to search out partaking social actions. Whereas efforts have been made lately to revitalize the downtown space, together with new eating places and cultural occasions, the nightlife scene in Aurora nonetheless falls quick in comparison with close by cities like Chicago. 

2. Aurora’s location makes it liable to flooding

Aurora, Illinois is vulnerable to flooding because of its location close to the Fox River and numerous smaller creeks and streams that run all through the town. The specter of flooding is especially excessive throughout heavy rainstorms, which may overwhelm the realm’s drainage techniques and trigger water ranges to rise quickly. As well as, melting snow and ice through the spring thaw can even contribute to flooding. Over time, Aurora has skilled a number of vital floods which have induced harm to properties and companies and disrupted day by day life for residents.

snow on tree branches

3. Winters in Aurora might be tough

Aurora experiences harsh winter climate, as is typical for the Midwest. Town sees a median of just about 30 inches of snowfall per yr, which may result in troublesome driving situations and occasional college or enterprise closures. Temperatures can even drop effectively under freezing, with common lows within the single digits in January and February. 

Whereas the snow and chilly could make it troublesome to get round, Aurora’s residents are well-prepared for winter climate, with the town’s snow elimination crews working diligently to maintain the streets clear. Moreover, lots of the metropolis’s leisure alternatives, equivalent to ice skating and sledding, are solely obtainable through the winter months, giving residents an opportunity to benefit from the snow and chilly in their very own method. 

4. Site visitors congestion is a typical problem

Site visitors in Aurora might be difficult at instances, notably throughout rush hour and peak journey instances. As a serious metropolis within the Chicago metropolitan space, Aurora is situated close to a number of main highways, together with I-88 and I-55, which may end up in vital visitors congestion on the roads. As well as, the town’s rising inhabitants and concrete sprawl have led to elevated visitors and longer commute instances for a lot of residents. Whereas Aurora has carried out some visitors administration measures, equivalent to synchronized visitors lights and intersection enhancements, visitors congestion stays a big problem for the group. This may affect the standard of life for residents, making it tougher to commute to work or journey inside the metropolis.

5. Aurora lacks cultural establishments and facilities

Aurora is understood for its wealthy historical past and exquisite pure landscapes, however it may be stated that it lacks cultural facilities when in comparison with bigger cities like Chicago. Whereas Aurora does have some cultural establishments, such because the Aurora Regional Fireplace Museum and the Paramount Theatre, the general number of museums, theaters, and different cultural facilities is comparatively restricted. This is usually a disadvantage for residents who worth entry to most of these actions, as they could must journey to close by cities to get pleasure from them.