Aurora

It's hard to write a review about Aurora because it is so diverse in different areas. With a total land area of 143 square miles there are numerous neighborhoods and areas to visit or live in, which can fall within Arapahoe, Adams, and Denver counties. Depending on where you're at the city can look vastly different from another area. Yes, there are the neighborhoods which are economically downtrodden, but there are also areas which have high home prices and cater to those with a higher income. The median income for Aurora is right at $45,000, but in some of the better areas that jumps up to over $100,000. The same scenario is true for home prices. The median home price in Aurora is $179,000 but that jumps to over $350,000 in some areas. Just as with any large city, there are some ugly urban areas as well as some beautiful areas with incredible views.

Aurora is home to three reservoirs, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Aurora Reservoir and Quincy Reservoir. Both Cherry Creek and Aurora have a multitude of things to do. Aurora Reservoir was built using water from an underground aquifer so the water is incredibly clean, but cold even in the summer months. Both of the larger reservoirs have trails going around them which are good for walking, riding a bike, or even just exploring with little ones. Both also have fishing, swim beaches, and are home to triathlons in the summer and fall months. Sailing and other boating activities are available and Cherry Creek Reservoir also has horse back riding and camping.

There are strip malls all over Aurora with no need to go outside the city limits for anything. There are numerous malls, the nicest one being Southlands, which is a newer outdoor mall on the southeast side of town. This mall has fire pits along the walkways during winter to warm walking patrons, numerous shops and cafes, and ice rink in the winter, and during summer months is home to a farmer's market. It's a great place to take kids in the summertime with just a swim suit and towel. There are fountains that spring up out of the ground for the kids to play in, on a rather large area of the ground on the north side of the mall. Further up the mall are umbrellas that 'rain' in the summertime, allowing kids to have fun and get wet. There are always numerous kids playing in these areas, but never so many that it seems crowded.

Being a populous city, there is definitely traffic in many areas. I-225 is one of the worst offenders, but it is currently under construction to help alleviate the congestion. The E-470 tollway is rarely busy, but does cost and the prices seem to continually rise.

There are several excellent hospitals in Aurora, though most are on the more western side of town. Children's Hospital is one of the best hospitals for kids in the U.S. and just recently relocated to Aurora from Denver.

Overall, the feeling of Aurora is different depending on where you are. If you're looking for inexpensive housing that is close to the airport, you can find it here. On the other hand, if you're looking for a custom home with unbeatable views, you can find that as well.