Aurora Living

Founded in 1799, AURORA has grown from a small Ohio farming town to a 25 square mile metropolitan city in northern Portage County. Aurora remained a Western Reserve farming community until the early 1960's. About that time, interest grew in the potential for suburban residential development due to the community proximity to the major Akron and Cleveland metropolitan areas. During the 90's, the population has increased by over 60%, and it continues to experience substantial growth. Most housing development has been higher-priced, single-family homes and condominiums. Aurora's desire to maintain its heritage has prompted community leaders to establish and maintain architectural standards to comply and be compatible with the Western Reserve architectural style.

Significant attractions include Aurora Farms Premium Outlets, Wildwater Kingdom, ThornCreek Winery & Gardens, Aurora Community Theatre, Aurora Historical Society and Aurora Park and Audubon Trail System, with the state's largest bird sanctuary, attract thousands of visitors to the city to relax and enjoy the nature and charm the city has to offer. Many major Ohio roadways, Routes 43, 82, and 306, provide easy access to interstates I-480, I-422, I-271, I-76 and the Ohio Turnpike.

Private communities and golf clubs like the Aurora Golf & Country Club, Club Walden and Barrington Golf Club Community, with a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, also make Aurora a desired place to live.

A comprehensive City Master Plan and strong zoning provides for orderly residential and commercial growth. Commercial development has and is increasing. Several industrial park areas exist, with construction on a new parkway in 1999. McMaster Carr Industrial Supply company is the largest employer with over 350 employees. Local manufacturing is considered light industry, and products include adhesives, aerospace technology, plastics, computers and warehousing. Air transportation is located at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, 35 miles west and at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport, 35 miles south. Smaller private and corporate aircraft are accommodated at the Portage County and Kent State University airports.

Residents enjoy quiet living areas with up to date shopping centers, recreational areas like Sunny Lake Park, as well as an area playhouse and cultural opportunities locally and in the Cleveland's Playhouse Square area and Akron's E.J. Thomas Hall.

An excellent educational opportunity is provided by the Aurora school system with two elementary, one middle, one high school, and one non-public Christian Academy. Five universities and colleges are within 30 minutes of Aurora.