Aurora
Introduction
Aurora is a town in York Region, about 35 kilometres north of Toronto, between Richmond Hill to the south and Newmarket to the north. Yonge Street runs north and south through the town, and Highway 404 runs along its east side.
The settlement first grew up at a crossroads known as Machell's Corners, named after a local merchant. Aurora was incorporated as a village in 1863 and as a town in 1888.
Real estate overview
Aurora has a historic downtown around Yonge Street and Wellington Street, and neighbourhoods of newer homes around it. The Town's Official Plan names Yonge Street and Wellington Street as corridors for growth, and sends most new, denser housing to the Aurora Promenade and the area around Aurora GO Station. Away from the Promenade, new buildings along Yonge Street are planned to be low-rise and mid-rise.
Highland Gate is one of the areas the Town lists as being redeveloped.
Neighbourhood highlights
- Downtown and the Aurora Promenade. The Aurora Promenade is the Town's plan for the Yonge Street and Wellington Street corridors through the historic core, mixing new buildings with the older streetscape.
- Aurora Town Square. The town's arts and culture hub, on Yonge Street downtown. It joins the Aurora Public Library and the Aurora Cultural Centre, which is in the historic Church Street School along with the Aurora Museum & Archives. An addition with a 250-seat performance hall and an outdoor square opened in 2024. Town Park is a short walk away.
- Around Aurora GO Station, on Wellington Street East. One of the areas the Town has chosen for new housing and mixed uses close to transit.
- Sheppard's Bush and the Arboretum. Wooded trails beside the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, connected to the Aurora Community Arboretum and Lambert Willson Park.
- East Aurora, with the Aurora Recreation Complex on Wellington Street East and the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve, where boardwalks overlook ponds and wetlands.
Types of housing
Homes in Aurora include detached and semi-detached houses, townhouses (freehold and condominium) and condominium apartments. Most apartment and condominium buildings, existing and planned, are along Yonge Street and Wellington Street.
Lifestyle and amenities
Trails. The Town looks after about 62 kilometres of trails, most of them gravel, for walking, running, cycling and cross-country skiing. The longest, the Tim Jones (Nokiidaa) Trail, runs from the Vandorf Woodlot in the south to the St. John's Boardwalk at the McKenzie Marsh in the north, passing the Arboretum, Lambert Willson Park and Sheppard's Bush. Other trails include the Klaus Wehrenberg Trail, the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve trail and the Willow Farm and Lakeview trails in the northwest.
Recreation centres. Town facilities include the Aurora Family Leisure Complex, the Aurora Recreation Complex (ARC), the Aurora Community Centre and the Aurora Seniors' Centre.
Library and culture. The Aurora Public Library is part of Aurora Town Square, at 15145 Yonge Street. The Aurora Cultural Centre and the Aurora Museum & Archives are next to it.
Hospital. Southlake Regional Health Centre, in neighbouring Newmarket, is the area's main hospital.
Getting around
GO Transit. Aurora GO Station, at 121 Wellington Street East, is on the Barrie GO line to Union Station in Toronto. The station is being improved, with a second platform and track, a new exit at Berczy Street and a new pedestrian tunnel with elevators; the main work is planned to finish by December 2027.
YRT and Viva. York Region Transit runs local buses in Aurora, and Viva blue buses run along Yonge Street between Newmarket and Finch Station in Toronto.
Roads. Highway 404 runs along the east side of the town, with Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue as the main north–south streets and Wellington Street as the main east–west street.
Schools
Four school boards serve Aurora: the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board (English), and Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir (French). Aurora also has independent schools, including St. Andrew's College. School boundaries can change, so check each address with the board before you buy or rent.
Homes for sale in Aurora
See the homes for sale in Aurora on the map, or tell Setareh what you're looking for: the kind of home, your budget and your timing.
Buying or selling in Aurora?
Start with a consultation about your plans.