Curious what people think. With a population of 180K, Aurora is a mid-size city. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I overthinking this? The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
18 upvotes
13 Replies
Serenity D.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because it was the best decision I ever made. The nightlife is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Jordan Reed
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
John Nelson
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cost of living used to be much manageable but now it's decent.
32 upvotes
Avery S.
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is solid. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Isla Harris
wish I knew this sooner
24 upvotes
Evan Turner
My experience has been mostly positive. it exceeded my expectations. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Anna W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a accountant who relocated here from Dallas about 10 years ago. The main reasons were school and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. No regrets on my end..
18 upvotes
Violet Rogers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 14 years. Moved from Boston for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Summers can be brutally hot. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Theodore W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Meadowbrook for 9 years. Moved from Phoenix for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Meadowbrook schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Winters are long and cold. Far from beaches/mountains. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
16 upvotes
Josiah Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Eleanor Collins
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much established but now it's average.
10 upvotes
Lydia Turner
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in construction. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Johnny W.
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Korean places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
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