Community Guide
Living in Aurora, IL: The Community Guide
Illinois’ second-largest city, with Naperville-area schools on the east side, two Metra stations, and some of the best value in the western suburbs. I’ve sold 63 homes here.
Aurora at a Glance
Quick Facts About Aurora
Population
About 180,000 (2020 Census)
Counties
Kane, DuPage, Will & Kendall
School Districts
Indian Prairie 204, East Aurora 131, West Aurora 129 & Oswego 308
Metra
BNSF line: Aurora and Route 59 stations
Highway Access
I-88, Route 59 and Route 34
Jake’s Aurora Sales
63 homes sold, median price $311,000
Is Aurora Right for You?
Who Should Consider Living in Aurora?
Aurora is big enough that it works like several towns in one. The east side shares schools, shopping and commuter routes with Naperville, while the downtown riverfront has its own arts and dining scene.
Buyers who want Indian Prairie District 204 schools at a lower price than a Naperville address.
Commuters using the Route 59 Metra station or I-88.
First-time and move-up buyers looking for more space for the money.
Families who want established neighborhoods with parks and elementary schools inside them.
Buyers who like a real downtown with theater, a riverwalk and summer concerts.
Sellers moving up to Naperville or Lisle who need to price their Aurora home right the first time.
The Aurora Lifestyle
Why People Choose Aurora
Value, schools and location are what bring most of my Aurora buyers here. The parks and the downtown are what keep them.
East Aurora: District 204 Schools Without the Naperville Price
Much of east Aurora, including many neighborhoods off Eola Road and Route 59, is in Indian Prairie School District 204, the same district that serves south and west Naperville. That’s the single biggest reason buyers choose east Aurora, and it’s why homes there hold their value well.
District lines don’t follow city lines, so always confirm the district for a specific address with the district itself.
Downtown Aurora & the Fox River
Downtown Aurora sits on the Fox River. The Paramount Theatre runs a full Broadway season, RiverEdge Park hosts outdoor summer concerts, and the riverwalk ties the two together. It gives Aurora something most suburbs don’t have: a downtown that’s busy on a weeknight.
Parks, Trails & Commuting
Phillips Park, with its free zoo, and the Fox River trail system are local favorites, and many east-side subdivisions are built around their own parks and paths.
For commuters, the Route 59 Metra station sits on the Aurora–Naperville border, and the Aurora Transportation Center is the western end of the BNSF line, so it’s easy to get a seat.
Jake’s Insider Tip
Price Your Aurora Home by Neighborhood, Not by Zip Code
“Aurora is too big for a city-wide average to tell you anything. Two homes a mile apart can be in different school districts and sell $100,000 apart. When I price a home here, I use the three to five closest sales in the same neighborhood and district, and nothing else.”
Explore the Area
Aurora Neighborhoods I Know Best
Most of my Aurora sales are on the east side, in the 60504 and 60502 zip codes. See every home I've sold.
Village Green / McCarty Park (Pine Meadows & Pheasant Creek)
The Vibe: Established single-family neighborhood between Eola Road and the trail corridor, built around McCarty Park and McCarty Elementary.
Jake’s Track Record: 24 homes sold in this neighborhood, including on Gresham Lane, Village Green Drive, Compton Road and Chester Court. My first home was here. See the Village Green guide.
Eola Road & Fox Valley Area
The Vibe: Subdivisions from the 1980s and 1990s, close to Fox Valley Mall, Route 59 shopping and I-88.
The Draw: District 204 schools, quick access to Naperville, and a wide range of price points from townhomes to larger single-family homes.
Stonebridge
The Vibe: A golf course community on Aurora’s northeast side with larger homes on the course.
The Draw: One of Aurora’s higher-end neighborhoods, popular with move-up buyers who want more house than the same budget buys in Naperville.
Available Properties
Homes for Sale in Aurora
Aurora has everything from starter townhomes to golf course homes. Search current listings, or tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll send you the ones worth seeing.
Thinking of selling instead? I’ll give you a private price range for your home within 24 hours, based on real nearby sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Living in Aurora: Common Questions
Which parts of Aurora are in District 204?
Indian Prairie School District 204 covers much of Aurora’s east side, mostly in DuPage County, including many neighborhoods off Eola Road and Route 59. The rest of Aurora is served mainly by East Aurora 131, West Aurora 129 and, on the south side, Oswego 308. Confirm the district for any address with the district before you buy.
How long is the commute from Aurora to Chicago?
Metra’s BNSF line runs from the Aurora Transportation Center and the Route 59 station to Union Station. Plan on roughly an hour, depending on the train. Driving via I-88 and I-290 varies a lot with traffic.
Is Aurora a good place to sell a home right now?
East Aurora homes in District 204 have stayed in demand because they offer the same schools as south Naperville for less. The right price depends on your exact neighborhood, so the best first step is a pricing review based on the closest recent sales.
What’s the difference between an Aurora and a Naperville address?
On the east side, often less than people think: shared schools, shopping and commuter routes. The differences are mainly price, property taxes and city services, which vary by address.
