Aurora: The New Real Estate Hotbed in York Region

Aurora has long been in the shadow of its larger and vibrant adjacent cities and towns in York Region, such as Newmarket, Markham, and Richmond Hill. However, Aurora is quickly gaining the reputation of being an equally livable place to live in the region. What makes Aurora such an attractive place to live in York Region and the GTA?

1) Committed and Action-Focused Municipal Government

In January 2019, the Town of Aurora’s municipal government council announced that they have developed a plan to make Aurora a “more livable community over the next 4 years“. This commitment includes improvements in the following areas: stable neighbourhoods, downtown revitalization, environment, transit, and community gardens. This plan was created based on inputs from residents and council members, who envisioned what would make Aurora a better and more livable place to live and work. This means more money and effort will go towards community and environment sustainability.

2) Low Crime Rate and Peaceful Neighbourhoods

Statistics from the York Region Police indicate that crime rate in Aurora is one of the lowest in York Region. Numbeo also ranks Aurora’s crime level as “Low” and safety index as “High”. It scores “Low” in the following areas: worries about home broken and things stolen, worries about being mugged or robbed, property crimes, and drug problems. It scores “Very Low” in violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery, corruption, and bribery. The Canada 2016 Census ranks Aurora in the top 10 for wealthiest towns in Canada. Neighbourhoods are generally peaceful and safe.

3) Educational and Health Care Facilities

Aurora is served by 3 publicly funded school boards: York Region District School Board (YRDSB), the English public board; York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB), the English Catholic public board; and Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud, the French Catholic public board). Elementary and secondary schools belonging to all three school boards generally do well in rankings that measure student academic performance, which speaks to the quality of teaching and school resources. There are 5 public high schools in Aurora: Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School, Aurora High School, Cardinal Carter Catholic High School, St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic High School, and École secondaire catholique Renaissance (formerly ÉSC Cardinal-Carter). There is also 1 private independent school for boys in Aurora: St. Andrew’s College.

Other educational and health care facilities available in Aurora include the Aurora Public Library and daycare and nursery centres. The closest major hospital for residents in Aurora is Southlake Regional Health in the nearby City of Newmarket.

4) Urban Planning and Public Transit

Aurora has some mixed neighbourhoods where residents can live, go to school, and work in close proximity to minimize commute time. Aurora’s economy is mostly service-based. Some companies also have manufacturing facilities in Aurora, such as Magna International (car assembly plant) and TC Transcontinental (magazine printing plant).

In terms of public transit, York Region Transit (YRT) serves the Town of Aurora with several local bus routes and the Viva Blue bus rapid transit service. GO Transit also has an Aurora GO station, with trains connecting to Toronto and Barrie.

The Aurora Promenade is a new development area and area of growth along the Yonge and Wellington Street corridors. It is anticipated that 2,930 additional residents will live along the Yonge and Wellington Street corridors, close to new major transportation systems being implemented by York Region Transit (YRT)’s Viva (rapid transit system). This area of growth will also come alongside with the reinvigoration of the downtown core. Want to be part of this exciting growth? Check our listings for properties that are currently for sale in Aurora.

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