The great thing about living in Aurora is that you’re just 40 kilometres from Toronto, but it still feels like a small town. The lack of isolation makes this an ideal place for people who want the charm with less privacy and hustle-bustling chaos than other areas offer; there are more than 1,000 businesses here including 150 major industries!
Read on to learn more about why people find Aurora a great place to live and do business.
History
Aurora’s history begins with Governor John Graves Simcoe’s choice to expand Yonge Street in 1795.
Loyalists and Quakers began to settle in the area. Yonge Street made it more accessible.
In 1804, a man named Richard Machell founded the first community at the site of present day Aurora. This first hamlet was named Machell’s Corners in his honour.
In the mid 1800s the town experienced a population boom. The arrival of the railway in the town in 1853 spurred this growth. The expansion of the town caused it to become a centre for industry. There were factories producing a range of goods including tools, lumber, and furniture.
When the new railway came to town, it was a fresh start for everyone. Postal employee Charles Doan felt this change and decided that his name should be changed too; he took on inspiration from Greek mythology when naming Aurora after The Goddess Of Dawn who brings light back over Greece in the morning time!
Aurora’s most famous resident, Lester B. Pearson lived in the town in the early 20th century. He would go on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1957 and to become Prime Minister of Canada between 1963-68. The home that his family lived in can still be seen at the corner of Spruce and Catherine Streets.
The town did not grow much until the later part of the 20th century, with the rise of suburban-style living.
Overview
Aurora is one of the smaller communities in Southern Ontario’s York Region. Despite this, the town has a strong and diverse economy. This is thanks to the well-educated, skilled workforce that calls Aurora home.
Aurora’s infrastructure is very developed. It also benefits from a strategic location. These factors provide quick access to major markets in Southern Ontario.
This vibrant community is home to many employers in a variety of sectors. These sectors include insurance, finance, advanced manufacturing, and retail. There are many small businesses in the town. Yet, some businesses have more than 1,000 employees. Businesses of this size include Magna International and State Farm Insurance.
People from all around the world have been attracted to Aurora. There are sizable communities of Chinese, South Asian, and West Asian people in the town.
Real Estate in Aurora
Aurora has an up and coming real estate market. The houses in the town are ideal for families. Since the year 2000, nearly 6,000 homes have been built in the town.
With its beautiful homes and spacious layouts, it’s easy to see why the real estate market in Aurora is so bustling. The majority of these properties have three or more bedrooms- perfect for families looking to make themselves at home!
Check our listings in Aurora or contact one of our representatives if you are interested in learning more about buying or selling real estate in Aurora.
Shopping
There are many shopping opportunities in Aurora. Due to its suburban nature, big box shopping centres are the most common. These outdoor shopping centres are spread throughout the town.
At Yonge Street and Murray Street, there are several large shopping centres. This includes SmartCentres Aurora South and the Aurora Shopping Centre.
At Wellington Street and Highway 404 there are more outdoor shopping centres. The largest of these being SmartCentres Aurora North.
Beyond big box shopping centres, Aurora has a thriving downtown business district. It is home to many shops, restaurants, and businesses providing services. The downtown area is located at Yonge Street and Wellington Street. This locale is perfect for people looking to shop in a charming, historical setting.
Recreation
Aurora is a town that is full of recreation options. These range from outdoor spaces to cultural institutions.
The town maintains an extensive park system. This system consists of over 62 parks encompassing more than 800 acres. There are 44 playgrounds in these parks and 62 kilometres of trails.
Lovers of the outdoors will find that Aurora has no shortage of trails and green spaces to enjoy. One of the largest green spaces in the town is the Aurora Community Arboretum. The Arboretum is more than one hundred acres of parkland. It features trails, meadows, sports facilities, and ponds. Park goers also have access to the shore of the East Holland River.
The town also provides excellent community centres with indoor and outdoor facilities. The centres offer a variety of sports, fitness, exercise programs, and recreation activities.
The Aurora Family Leisure Complex is one of the largest centres in the town. Its amenities include: a weight room, a gymnasium, and an ice arena. The Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex features several swimming pools. Finally, the Aurora Community Centre offers an auditorium and several arenas.
The Aurora Cultural Centre also offers many programs and shows to the public. It features four gallery exhibition spaces. The centre also programs a range of instructional classes for people of all ages.
Another cultural institution in the town is the Theatre Aurora. This community theatre was founded in 1958 and has been nominated for many awards. The theatre produces five shows each season.
Schools
Four school boards serve Aurora’s families. There are two English and two French school boards in the town.
York Region District School Board provides English language secular schools in the town. Meanwhile, York Catholic District School Board administers English language Catholic schools in Aurora.
Additionally, there is a French language Catholic board as well as a French secular board in the town. Conseil Scolaire Viamonde runs French secular schools in Aurora. Conseil Scolaire Catholique MonAvenir operates the town’s French Catholic schools.
Transportation
Commuting from Aurora is easy since it is located between Highway 400 and Highway 404.
At the same time, if you do not want to drive, Aurora has plenty of options for transit.
Travelling By Car
Highway 404 runs on the east side of the town, travelling north to south. In the north, Highway 404 connects Aurora to Keswick, on the southern tip of Lake Simcoe. In the south, the highway connects the town to Toronto. It is crossed by and connected to the 401 in Toronto. South of the 401, it becomes the Don Valley Parkway.
Highway 400 runs on the west side of the town, also travelling north to south. The highway connects Aurora to Barrie in the north. In the south, the highway connects the town to Toronto. Within Toronto, the 400 is connected to the 401. The 400 also provides access to Black Creek Drive, the 427, and Allen Road.
Another important road in Aurora is Ontario Highway 1, or Yonge Street. It travels straight through the centre of the town, north to south. To the north it passes through Newmarket. To the south it passes through the centre of Toronto, via Richmond Hill.
Public Transit
Aurora is also well serviced by public transportation, which means you do not have to drive your own car. York Regional Transit provides public transit in the town.
York Regional Transit connects Aurora to other communities in York Region. Viva Blue provides express bus service in the region. The YRT makes connections with the TTC, Brampton Transit, and Durham Regional Transit.
Travelling By Rail
Commuters who want to avoid traffic can also travel to and from Aurora on the train. Rail transit in Aurora is provided by GO Transit.
GO trains travel south through Richmond Hill and North York to Union Station. They also carry passengers north to Barrie.
At Union Station, commuters can make connections to GO Transit and VIA Rail. VIA Rail trains travel throughout Canada.
Have Questions About Real Estate in Aurora?
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With 30 years of experience in GTA real estate, we will be able to provide you with satisfying service.