Aurora Apartments

Although commonly referred to as a Chicago suburb, Aurora is a thriving metropolis in its own right and Illinois' second largest city. A former manufacturing town, Aurora's strategic location on the Fox River made it an ideal site to establish mills during the 1830s. The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad's decision to locate its locomotive repair shop in Aurora solidified the town's status as an industrial powerhouse until the 1970s when the shops closed, and many other factories vacated the city. During the 1980s, Aurora saw a demographic shift as Hispanics moved to town, and today the population remains culturally diverse. Chicago's urban sprawl has long since swallowed up Aurora, and now the area is abundant with subdivisions and industrial parks.

Although strip malls and big-box retailers abound on Galena Boulevard and Orchard Road, downtown Aurora comprises mainly ma-and-pa style storefronts clustered around the Fox River. The downtown area is home to Hollywood Casino Aurora and the Paramount Theatre, a performing arts venue listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, Aurora is perhaps more widely known as the setting of the 1992 film Wayne's World.

Commuters have two Metra stations to pick from, and the ride to downtown Chicago generally takes at least an hour or more. By car, the trip takes about 50 minutes without traffic.

Apartments are plentiful, and over a quarter of homes in Aurora are rentals. Most rentals are single-family homes and apartment complexes located on Aurora's East Side, the area between the east bank of the Fox River and the Kane/DuPage County line.

Apartments in Aurora are in a former manufacturing town that boasted a strategic location on the Fox River, helping it to lure mills during the 1830s. The decision by Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad to locate its locomotive repair shop in Aurora solidified the town's status as an industrial powerhouse. Aurora underwent demographic shifts following the closing of the factories in the 1970s and '80s, and now the area is abundant with subdivisions and industrial parks.

Aurora apartments are close to a wide variety of dining options. There’s a small galaxy of fast food options along Route 31, but there are more colorful local options along the banks of the Fox River, such as Gillerson’s Grubbery and O’Malley’s Pub. 

The Hollywood Casino and Paramount Theatre in downtown are major draws for those who visit Aurora, IL.

River’s Edge Café affords a great view of the Fox River and a place for quiet contemplation over a cup of joe.