The city of Aurora, Illinois has many different areas that are perfect for home buyers of all types. It’s this large selection of home types, styles, and prices that make Aurora such a great location for real estate. In Aurora, IL buyers can find representative examples of nearly every major home style, from Queen Anne to Neo Classical, as well as any size or type of home, from studio condos to ranches.

Perhaps one of the best features of the Aurora area is the extreme value that many of its homes present. While the median home price in the United States currently hovers around $250,000, homes in Aurora currently average around $230,000 and many can be found below this price. If you’re a homebuyer looking for your next home in Aurora, it’s important to understand the city’s layout to help you in your search.

Aurora Illinois is divided into two main areas: the East Side and the West Side, both of which are separated by the Fox River, which is located right in the center of the city. Both areas have historic districts and homes on the National Register of Historic Places. Known residential historic districts in Aurora include the Palace, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, and Near Westside Historic Districts on the west side and the Near Eastside Historic District on the east side of the city. The downtown area itself is dominated by the Fox River and includes the business district of the city of Aurora. This is centered on Stolp Island, as well as along both banks of the river.

The west side of Aurora has several well-known areas, including the Aurora University area, centered around the institution of the same name. The west side also serves as the start of the Randall Road Corridor that leads north to some of the largest business districts in the region. The west end of the city is dominated by new home communities and also includes the Orchard Valley Golf Course, as well as several hiking and biking trails, including the Virgil Gilman Trail and part of the Illinois Prairie Path. School District 129 and West Aurora High School is the elementary school district for the west side, as well as most of the 60506 ZIP code.

The east side of Aurora is nearly twice the size of the west side and is generally divided into the “near” east side closer to downtown and the “far” east side closer to the Fox Valley Mall. The east side” Nearby” is made up almost entirely of the 60505 ZIP code, while the “far” east side contains some of the 60505 ZIP codes and most of the 60502, 60503, and 60504 ZIP codes. The entire east side includes several well-known areas, such as Pigeon Hill, Oakhurst, Stonebridge, as well as several large townhome and condominium complexes. The east side of Aurora is made up primarily of residential areas that include several new home developments and active adult communities. It is also home to the Stonebridge Country Club and school districts 131 and 204.

Aurora’s downtown area is made up primarily of business districts, including those on Stolp Island and the nearby east and west banks of the Fox River. If you’re looking for commercial real estate, this area includes plenty of options for every type of industry. The area is served by excellent avenues for local transportation, including a METRA station on the near east side, as well as convenient access to the Regan Tollway.

Understanding Aurora real estate usually requires the help of a local real estate expert. You can find great deals and great homes in all areas of Aurora, but helping buyers know where to look is an important part of what your local real estate agent can do. Due to the large selection of home styles and price ranges, helping buyers narrow down their options based on their requirements is an extremely important service. If you are just beginning your search for an Aurora home, it is recommended that you contact your local real estate professional for information on how to get started.