I've been here for 4 years and With a population of 180K, Aurora is a mid-size city. Rent is about $1,535/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 4.3%, which is about average. Average temperature is around 52°F, so expect cold winters. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The suburbs are where most families end up. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
25 upvotes
7 Replies
sunny_sarah40
yeah no that's not right
40 upvotes
Roman W.
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. it's been a really good experience overall.
29 upvotes
Eliana
nah I disagree
20 upvotes
Claire Morris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in South. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
charlotte_kinsley
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Atlanta about 3 years ago. The main reasons were school and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Feel free to reach out with questions..
10 upvotes
Xavier Johnson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Adrian Gray
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely average and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. housing market is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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