Apartments for Rent in Aurora, CO - 299 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Aurora

Originally starting out as small 1800s frontier town situated at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Aurora has since developed into the third largest city in Colorado. Geographically speaking, Aurora is about 3/4ths as large as Colorado Springs, and roughly the same size as Denver, CO. Population-wise, Aurora has about half as many citizens as Denver, and about the same amount as Colorado Springs.

Aurora’s three counties comprise half of what is known as the Denver Central Metropolitan Area, a well-known regional hub for Colorado culture and business. The city of Aurora is about 10 miles east of Denver’s hottest attractions, and about 17 miles southwest of the Denver International Airport for easy traveling opportunities. It will take you about 1 hour to get to Boulder from Aurora and about 1 h and a half to get to Colorado Springs via I-25 S.

Aurora’s climate is mild and arid, with a majority of sunny days; the weather in Aurora is as follows: summers (June-August) average 85 F, and are sunny and warm, with a few exceedingly hot days. Springs (March-May) are usually 48 F on average and can experience high winds, so you might want to hang onto your heavy jacket for a while longer. Autumns (September-November) average 51 F and can be a little rainy with occasional wintry weather, and winters (December-February) have an average of 31 F and are generally mild, with the occasional snowfall.

Cost of Living in Aurora, CO

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides more than 150 bus routes (with over 10 thousand stops) throughout the Denver Central Metropolitan Area, of which 3 cover the city of Aurora. Day passes for the bus start at $4.50, monthly passes are $171, and annual passes are $1,881. Discounted fares apply to all seniors ages 65 and over, disabled individuals, Medicare enrollees, and students ages 6-19. Overall, the average commute time for Aurora is 28 minutes, which is about 3 minutes higher than the national average.

In general, the cost of living in Aurora is considerably higher than the national average. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs $30, while most US restaurants are $12. One dozen eggs are $4.67 (nearly twice as expensive as the national average), and a loaf of bread is nearly a dollar more in Aurora. Utilities for a 915-square foot apartment average about $185 per month in Aurora, whereas utilities cost about $146.24 a month for the same sized apartment elsewhere in America.

Living in Aurora

Living in Aurora has its pros and cons. An urban sprawl from Denver is starting to cause a bit of overcrowding, which is one of the reasons not to live in Aurora if you were expecting total quiet and seclusion. However, beautiful scenery, an incredible selection of outdoor activities, and mostly sunny weather are definitely some of the reasons to move to Aurora.

As for diversity levels, Aurora public schools have the most varied student body population to be found in all of Colorado. Perhaps this is why it ranked well in the “100 Best Communities for Young People” contest by America’s Promise Alliance, a foundation that has been helping young people succeed since 1997.

Things to do in Aurora

Some of the best entertainment in Aurora can be found by simply enjoying the great outdoors. Athletes and newcomers alike should be sure to hit the Aurora Sports Park, 220 acres dotted with dozens of fields designed for both competitive and recreational play. In addition, Cherry Creek State Park, a desert prairieland with a massive 880-acre reservoir for watersports, is easily one of the most beautiful places in Aurora (CO).

If you are in Aurora with your special someone, The Movie Tavern is one of the biggest couples’ attractions in the state – here, you can watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters while ordering gourmet meals and fancy drinks straight to seat with the push of a single button. Be sure to check out the best restaurants in Aurora before the movie – the handmade martinis at the The Bent Fork Grill and the Vietnamese dishes at the Golden Saigon are superb!

Anchored by Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Sears, and Century Theatres, the Town Center at Aurora shopping center features more than 150 shops and restaurants. Other top shopping destinations in Aurora include Arapahoe Crossing, Aurora City Place, Cornerstar, Gardens on Havana, and Southlands. If you’re a green thumb, Nick's Garden Center and Farm Market has everything you need for your garden.

The Annual Aurora Arts Festival attracts visitors from all over to get a glimpse of artwork from over 100 local artists, along with live music and good eats. For free things to do in Aurora, the Aurora History Museum offers community-inspired historical exhibits and fine folk arts with absolutely no charge for admission.

Being in such close proximity to the many Denver venues, there are no sports teams or stadiums in Aurora. Instead, target practice is one of the area’s biggest sports, so set your sights on the Aurora Gun Club for professional marksmanship lessons in a safe environment.

Employment and Economy

Aurora has booming aerospace, defense, bioscience and healthcare industries, which work in unison to create a very strong and secure job economy. Stanley Aviation, Univair Aircraft Corporation, and Dry Dock Brewing Company are all headquartered in Aurora. Aurora’s biggest employer is Buckley Air Force Base followed by Anschutz Medical Campus and University of Colorado Hospital.

Education in Aurora

There are plenty of opportunities for you and your family to pursue an education in Aurora. Aurora Public Schools (consisting of four school districts) have been performing consistently well for 3 years in student proficiency tests, with the Aurora Central High School, founded in 1931, being the oldest school in the district. The Anschutz Medical Campus gives training to Aurora’s future dentists, pharmacists, and nurses in a wide variety of biomedical fields. Finally, the Aurora Community College promotes diversity with a student body population from other 60 different countries.

Tips for Renting in Aurora