Established Aurora neighborhoods appeal to buyers ready to put down roots

As metro home prices continue to climb, suburban areas ringing Denver are becoming more popular, especially if those areas Sara B. Hansen

offer more urban amenities and provide public transportation or easy highway access. Suburban areas with mature landscaping and trees draw younger professionals ready to put down roots and raise their families, says Esperanza Wardroup, West+main real estate agent. With lots of parks and opportunities for enjoying time outdoors, neighborhoods like Aurora’s Hutchinson Heights and Aurora Knolls appeal to young professionals and young families.

“That dense suburban feel is a big reason why people gravitate and keep pushing east,” Wardroup says.

Frieda Riggs, 8z real estate agent, agrees.

“These older, established neighborhoods become a big attraction,” she says.

Homes in Hutchinson Heights and Aurora Knolls sit along a greenbelt and offer a new central recreation center, biking, or walking trails. The open space appeals to people with dogs and young children.

The neighborhood also offers about 40 restaurants, bars, or coffee shops within walking distance. With four bus lines, the neighborhood also provides an option for public transportation, so residents don’t always have to use their cars to commute.

What’s available?

With home prices ranging from $400,000 to $700,000 and condos ranging from $250,000 to $400,000, the neighborhood offers prices that are more affordable than some other metro areas.

Many homes were built in the 1970s and ‘80s, and some need a little remodeling and updating.

Like the rest of the metro, houses typically sell quickly and stay on the market for less than a week. “With limited inventory, what’s available goes fast,” Wardroup says.

She’s also seeing some new buyers scrape properties to build new, larger homes.

Who’smoving in?

With easy access to the E-470 corridor, the neighborhood’s homes appeal to young professionals.

Riggs says the original homeowners who aremoving on or downsizing are now selling many of the homes on the market.

“So you’re seeing many younger families and millennials moving in,” she says. “They want to have some space and the yards with mature trees appeal to a lot of folks.”

Established neighborhoods are desirable because they offeramix of homes that don’t all look the same, she adds.

“These homes have craftsmanship. They were built differently, and there’s more soul to the house,” she says.

Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years.

Her professional background includes editing positions at Thedenver Post, Thedes Moines Register, The Fort Collins Coloradoan, and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of Dogsbestlife.com and the author of

“The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”