Is Aurora a good place to live?
Yes. Aurora is one of York Region’s most liveable towns for families. It offers a walkable historic core, strong public schools, well-known private schools, lots of trails and a GO station with direct trains to Union. A typical detached home was about $1.31 million in September 2026, lower than in Richmond Hill or Vaughan.
- Best for: families who want a small-town feel, strong schools and green space within commuting distance of Toronto.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $1,106,800 composite; detached $1,307,600; townhouse $748,800; condo $494,400 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 55–65 minutes from Aurora GO to Union Station on the Barrie line.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Aurora Village, Aurora Heights, Bayview Wellington, Aurora Highlands, Hills of St Andrew and Aurora Estates.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Aurora, Ontario
Aurora grew around the corner of Yonge Street and Wellington Street, where heritage buildings and the new Aurora Town Square form the town’s cultural centre. The railway, now the Barrie GO line, arrived in the 1850s and still anchors the town today.
Much of Aurora was built from the 1970s to the 2000s, with mature trees, ravines and parks running through most neighbourhoods. East of Bayview Avenue and Highway 404, estate homes sit on the edge of the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Aurora is also known for private education. St. Andrew’s College and St. Anne’s School are here, alongside strong public and Catholic schools.
| Fact | Aurora |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 62,057 |
| Region | York Region |
| Area | About 50 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $1,106,800 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $1,307,600 |
| GO station | Aurora GO (Barrie line) |
| Major highways | 404, Yonge Street, Wellington Street |
| Private schools | St. Andrew’s College, St. Anne’s School |
📍 Aurora, York Region, Ontario
Aurora Neighbourhood Guide
Aurora Village (Downtown)
The historic core around Yonge and Wellington has heritage homes, Aurora Town Square, the library and the GO station within walking distance.
- Aurora Town Square and Cultural Centre
- Aurora GO station
- Farmers’ market in Town Park
- Mix of heritage homes and new condos
Aurora Heights
Aurora Heights, west of Yonge, is one of the town’s older family neighbourhoods, with larger lots, mature trees and quick access to schools and parks.
- Mature trees and larger lots
- Close to Aurora High School
- Walk to Yonge Street
- Good value for detached homes
Bayview Wellington / Bayview Northeast
East-side neighbourhoods near Bayview and Wellington were built mostly in the 1990s–2010s, with good schools, shopping and quick access to Highway 404.
- Shopping at Bayview and Wellington
- Highway 404 access
- Newer subdivisions with parks
- Popular with young families
Aurora Highlands / Aurora Grove
Aurora Highlands and Aurora Grove in the west end are quiet family neighbourhoods surrounded by ravines and trails, close to the Highland Gate area.
- Ravine and trail access
- Larger detached homes
- Close to Yonge Street
- Quiet, low-traffic streets
Hills of St Andrew / Aurora Estates
The Hills of St Andrew and the estate areas east of Bayview are Aurora’s luxury enclaves, with large custom homes close to St. Andrew’s College.
- Near St. Andrew’s College
- Large lots and custom homes
- Oak Ridges Moraine setting
- Golf and equestrian nearby
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora Village (Downtown) | walkability and character | Older detached, towns, condos | Mid to upper |
| Aurora Heights | value in an established area | 1960s–80s detached and semis | Mid |
| Bayview Wellington / Bayview Northeast | families near the 404 | Detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
| Aurora Highlands / Aurora Grove | established family homes | Detached homes | Upper |
| Hills of St Andrew / Aurora Estates | luxury and estate homes | Estate and custom homes | Luxury |
Aurora Demographics
Who lives in Aurora?
Aurora attracts families moving up from Toronto and southern York Region, professionals who work in Toronto or along the 404, and empty-nesters drawn to its walkable core. It has a high rate of home ownership and a strong sense of community.
Growth and housing demand
Growth in Aurora is now mostly infill and mid-rise housing around the GO station and the Yonge Street corridor, plus the last new subdivisions in the 2C lands east of Leslie Street. Prices eased almost 7% year over year by September 2026.
Schools in Aurora
Public and Catholic schools
Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School
Public secondary · central Aurora · IB Diploma programConfirm catchment with YRDSBAurora High School
Public secondary · west AuroraConfirm catchment with YRDSBSt. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School
Catholic secondary · east AuroraConfirm catchment with YCDSBCardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · central AuroraConfirm catchment with YCDSBSt. Andrew’s College
Independent boys’ schoolConfirm catchment with the school directlySt. Anne’s School
Independent girls’ schoolConfirm catchment with the school directly| Board | System |
|---|---|
| York Region District School Board (YRDSB) | English public |
| York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
Seneca Polytechnic’s King campus is about 15 minutes away, and York University and Seneca Newnham are reachable by GO or car.
Transit and Getting Around Aurora
Aurora GO station
Barrie line trains run from Aurora GO to Union Station, with service growing toward all-day trains.
Viva and YRT
Viva Blue runs along Yonge Street to Richmond Hill and Finch station; YRT local routes serve neighbourhoods.
Highway 404
Highway 404 runs along the east side of town. Downtown Toronto is about 45–70 minutes by car.
Approximate commute times from Aurora
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 55–65 min | Barrie GO from Aurora |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 45–70 min | Highway 404 / DVP |
| Richmond Hill Centre | 20–25 min | Drive or Viva Blue |
| Pearson Airport | 35–45 min | Highway 404 / 407 |
| Newmarket | 10 min | Drive or Viva |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Aurora
Parks & Nature
- Sheppard’s Bush Conservation Area
- Aurora Arboretum
- Nokiidaa Trail
- Town Park
- Lake-to-Lake trail sections
Shopping
- Yonge Street historic shops
- Aurora Shopping Centre
- SmartCentres Aurora North (404)
- Bayview and Wellington plazas
- Aurora Farmers’ Market
Recreation
- Aurora Family Leisure Complex
- Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex
- Aurora Community Centre
- Golf at Highland Gate area and nearby clubs
- Sports fields at Sheppard’s Bush
Culture & Events
- Aurora Town Square
- Aurora Cultural Centre
- Aurora Public Library
- Aurora Museum & Archives
- Concerts in the Park and Canada Day
Aurora Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $1,106,800 |
| Detached | $1,307,600 |
| Semi-detached | $893,700 |
| Townhouse | $748,800 |
| Condo apartment | $494,400 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -6.77% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Older detached homes in Aurora Heights and near the village core are often the best value. Newer east-side homes command higher prices because of their size and access to Highway 404.
The condo market is small but growing, with new mid-rise buildings near the GO station and along Yonge Street.
Pros and cons of living in Aurora
Pros
- Small-town feel with a walkable historic core
- Strong public, Catholic and private schools
- GO station with direct trains to Union
- Lots of trails, ravines and parks
- Lower detached prices than Richmond Hill or Vaughan
Cons
- Longer commute to downtown than southern York Region
- GO service still mostly peak-direction
- Limited condo and rental supply
- Car-dependent outside the Yonge corridor
Buying or selling in Aurora? Here’s what our clients say
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Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora
Yes. Aurora is a very good place to live for families, with a small-town feel, strong public and private schools, lots of parks and trails, and GO train service to Union Station. The main trade-off is a longer commute to downtown Toronto.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Aurora was $1,106,800. By type: detached $1,307,600, semi-detached $893,700, townhouse $748,800 and condo apartment $494,400 (TRREB).
About 55 to 65 minutes on the Barrie GO line from Aurora GO to Union Station. Driving downtown takes about 45 to 70 minutes via Highway 404 and the Don Valley Parkway.
Dr. G.W. Williams Secondary School (with an IB Diploma program) and Aurora High School are popular public options, St. Maximilian Kolbe and Cardinal Carter are the Catholic high schools, and St. Andrew’s College and St. Anne’s School are well-known independent schools.
Yes, for detached homes. In September 2026 the detached benchmark was $1,307,600 in Aurora versus $1,514,400 in Richmond Hill (TRREB MLS® HPI).
Aurora is known for its historic Yonge Street core and Town Square, St. Andrew’s College, its trails and conservation areas, and a strong small-town community feel.
Aurora is generally considered one of the safest communities in the GTA. Check York Regional Police crime maps for specific streets.
Aurora is smaller and quieter with higher detached prices; Newmarket, just north, is larger, has Southlake hospital, Upper Canada Mall and more transit, and is generally more affordable.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
