aurora
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6/24/2009
I grew up in the Fox Valley and moved to Chicago in my late teens. After returning to the area after 20yrs, I decided to buy in the historic East side in Aurora (Lincoln Ave/Fourth St). Aurora has greatly improved since my memories in the 80's and 90's. The crime rate has dropped tremendously and the old historic homes are gradually being bought up by caring homeowners and slowly being brought back to their original glory. The beautiful downtown unfortunately has seen it fair share of vacancies and nothing much is happening outside of the casino, Waubonsee College, and the Paramount Arts Centre. The cost of living in Aurora is much more affordable than the surrounding towns for first time homebuyers. There are so many great benefits living here though; much less congestion than other suburbs since Aurora feels like a city on its own. Naperville, Batavia, Geneva and Oswego are 10 minutes drives for great shopping and nice restaurants. Aurora is a very diversity city with majority being caucasian. Latin and African American I believe follow in that order. Other wonderful areas in Aurora include the Historic Westside (Garfield/Downer Pl.) and the Riddle Highlands. From living in a extremely large wonderfully diverse city like Chicago, Aurora was a wonderful transition to call home. If your looking for more of a cookie-cutter suburban town like Wheaton, Wilmette, or Hinsdale, Aurora is defintely not for you. I hope this perspective helps a few of you in your decision of relocating.
travis | Aurora, IL