Jump Ahead To:
Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options — house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location — it all can be quite overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve done the research for you, so you don’t have to (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop — your friendly Aurora movers). We’ve examined what it’s like living in each of these highlighted neighborhoods and created in-depth guides with insider scoops on close-by, popular destinations. Soon, you’ll be living like a local.
A Little About Aurora and Its Neighborhoods
Just east of Denver sits Colorado’s third-largest city. Aurora is the most culturally and economically diverse city in Colorado, and today, we’re searching its streets to see what it has to offer.
In recent years, Aurora has stepped up its game by adding great city amenities to please its local community. Stanley Marketplace, for example — a community market that fills up with 50 independent Colorado businesses — just opened in Aurora’s historic Stanley Aviation hangar.
The city is home to daily conveniences, local shops, and artisan goods. Craft beer, creative eateries, coffee shops, golf courses, and good ol’ Colorado nature keeps Aurora’s community growing.
Developed as a military town, today, it’s known for its redevelopment in and around the former airfields. The city also features several public reservoirs and parks. And it sits close to East Denver’s top attractions, like the Denver Zoo and the Museum of Nature & Science.
Below, we’re diving in and exploring 3 Aurora neighborhoods that fit families best. So, without further adieu, let’s look closer at the 3 most family-friendly neighborhoods in beautiful Aurora.
Greenwood Village
Once a simple group of farmlands and dairies, Greenwood Village has transformed into a vibrant community.
This village still preserves and protects the history and rural aspects of the area’s past. But it has also developed into a safe, welcoming, and thriving neighborhood. Many residents are families with young children. And the area’s immense outdoor activities and parks make connecting with other families easy and natural.
What’s Happening in Greenwood Village
Greenwood Village is passionate about creating a community of close-knit neighbors. Friendship-building activities are common, like art classes that children and adults can take altogether. The neighborhood hosts dozens and dozens of educational activities and events for kids, and holidays don’t slip past without a little town-wide celebration.
Greenwood Village is also home to a number of great restaurants and pubs. Check out YaYa’s Euro Bistro, The Wooden Table, and Slattery’s Irish Pub.
It wouldn’t be on our list if it didn’t have some great parks and outdoor activities. But it does! And a few of them have even won awards (like Westlands Park and Silo Park). But the most noteworthy of these parks is the Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve with peaks at the Rocky Mountains.
Schools in Greenwood Village
Schools near Greenwood Village include Greenwood Elementary Schools, Campus Middle School, and Belleview Elementary School among others.
Homes in Greenwood Village
Greenwood Village has its notable ranch-style homes amidst other historic houses. Prices are high here (think multi-million mini-mansions). But the homes are truly stunning. Greenwood Village also offers lots of modern condos available at a much lower price point.
Centennial
If you want a wide range of outdoor activities, a calmer environment, and are fine with slipping a little further from the city, Centennial might be your next home. This sprawling area is located roughly 20 minutes away from Aurora and downtown Denver. But you gain a vantage point of the surrounding gorgeous mountains.
Centennial’s emphasis is on the open spaces, native wildlife, and beautiful nature that intermingles throughout its streets. Centennial is home to some of the region’s most impressive trail networks and recreational amenities. And with two of the top school districts in the state (Littleton Public Schools and Cherry Creek School District), Centennial has been recently ranked as one of the best places to live in the country.
What’s Happening in Centennial
Centennial offers a plethora of things to do, and new local stores, unique restaurants, and interesting activities are continuing to open in this mini-city. The Streets at SouthGlenn are most commonly visited for a great shopping experience. Check out the sidewalk cafes, restaurants, and local and national retailers there.
Take a brewery tour and sample the great micro and craft brewers in the area. Or check out Centennials’ amazing and unique coffee shops, like the teeny tiny, vegan-friendly Coffee Mountain Cafe. If you’re hungry, check out our favorite Centennial restaurant Los Dos Potrillos.
What is it about a wide, clean path winding through nature? Cherry Creek Trail fulfills that vision of a tranquil walk by a stream. This wide, 42-mile long paved path with room for joggers, dog-walkers, stroller-pushers, and bike-peddlers alike.
For more leg-stretching, explore Cherry Creek State Park at large, which features breathtaking views of layered mountains beyond the water reservoir. Chatfield State Park is another beautiful open space with hiking trails, boating, camping, fishing, picnicking, and biking options.
Schools in Centennial
Schools near Centennial include Highland Elementary School, Ambleside School of Colorado, and Children’s Music Academy of Centennial, CO among others.
Homes in Centennial
Centennial has plenty of single-family homes and lots of houses built in the ‘50s. For all its incredible amenities, families can still find plenty of real estate options at an affordable price. Multi-family homes can be found here and there for well under $250K. But if your budget is a big one, this neighborhood also features multi-million-dollar homes that spread over 10,000 square feet.
Seven Hills
Seven Hills features a wide range of housing options, great nearby schools, outdoor activities, and family-friendly educational facilities. This popular neighborhood is home to 7,000 residents.
With a web of beautiful trails running through the neighborhood, evening walks and bike rides are available to everyone. Seven Hills’ quiet pace of life attracts many families to the area, while its affordability makes room for young professionals as well.
What’s Happening in Seven Hills
Locals can easily access all the day-in, day-out amenities, with the local pharmacy, liquor store, and discount and natural grocers. The area is also home to several restaurants and taverns.
Residents of Seven Hills live less than 2 miles away from the beautiful and expansive Plains Conservation Center. This outdoor education facility and natural area is home to a reconstructed prairie homestead and Cheyenne camp. Here, you’ll find 1,100 acres of prairies, sunny hiking trails, and local events.
Seven Hills is also home to a few parks, like Seven Hills Park, Flanders Park, Skills Field, Blue Grama Grass Park, and Switchgrass Park. But our favorite part of Seven Hills is the long bike path that winds throughout and beyond the neighborhood.
This expansive bike system crosses through the neighborhood, connects and runs along the entire border of the Plains Conservation Center, and webs across most of the city and into Aurora’s downtown. This path eventually connects with a bike lane along Speer Blvd that runs directly through Denver’s city center.
Schools in Seven Hills
At Seven Hills, locals can access several nearby schools, including Arrowhead Elementary, Peace with Christ Christian School, Dalton Elementary School, Mrachek Middle, and Rangeview High School among others.
Homes in Seven Hills
Here, you’ll find a more eclectic mix of single-family homes, condos, and apartments. New residential communities are currently underway, full of new homes that’ll soon be available for purchase.
There you have it: 3 of the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Aurora!
We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate local and long-distance moving services in Aurora, and we would love to help.
Hungry for more? Check out our other guides to Aurora, CO:
- Moving Guide to Aurora, Colorado
- Best Up & Coming Neighborhoods in Aurora, CO
- Best Neighborhoods in Aurora, CO
- The Best Schools in Tucson, Arizona - April 5, 2024
- How are Schools in Somerville, MA? - March 28, 2024
- The Richest Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - March 22, 2024
