East Metro Denver — Relocation Guide

I-225 / E-470 / Aurora corridor

Aurora and the eastern corridor — 64 neighborhoods spanning affordable starter homes to premium master-planned communities, with Anschutz Medical Campus and DIA access.

Explore

Communities

4 communities in East Metro.

AuroraMost Diverse City in COStanley MarketplaceAnschutz Medical CampusA Line to DIA
$450K–$459Kmedian sale price · Feb 2026 (Redfin/Zillow cross-ref)
Colorado's most diverse city — affordable, connected, and anchored by a world-class medical campus
Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city, its most ethnically diverse (160+ languages spoken), and one of the most affordable major metros on the Front Range — median home $450K vs $600K+ in Denver. It spans three counties, hosts Anschutz Medical Campus (the Rockies' largest medical hub), Buckley Space Force Base, and Stanley Marketplace, with direct light rail to both downtown Denver and DIA.
Aurora spans THREE counties (Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas) and is served by multiple school districts. Your address determines your school district, property tax rate, and county services. Cherry Creek SD (south Aurora) vs APS (central/north) is the biggest quality-of-life variable — always verify before buying.
Schools
Two very different districts: Cherry Creek SD (A, #1 in CO) serves south Aurora — premium. APS (C+) serves central/north Aurora — most diverse district in CO. Which one serves your address is the single biggest variable. Verify before buying.
Grocery
King Soopers (×10+), Safeway (×5+), Walmart (×3), H Mart, Pacific Ocean Marketplace, Costco. International grocery scene along Havana St is unmatched on the Front Range.
Parks
Cherry Creek State Park (4,200 acres, reservoir, 35 mi trails), Aurora Reservoir (820 acres, scuba, sailing), Toll Gate Creek Trail, Triple Creek Trail, Plains Conservation Center (1,100 acres native prairie)
BennettI-70 East CorridorAffordable New ConstructionDIA AccessSmall Town
$380K–$450Kmedian home price · 2026
Small-town I-70 east corridor — affordable lots, rural character, and Front Range commuter potential
Bennett is the I-70 east corridor's small-town option — affordable homes with Antelope Hills bringing new construction and amenities. At $400K median, it's one of the cheapest ways into the metro with DIA 20 minutes away.
Schools
Bennett 29J (B-). Small rural district. Bennett HS.
Grocery
Limited — Dollar General, Loaf 'N Jug. Full grocery in Aurora or Strasburg.
Parks
Antelope Hills parks, open prairie
StrasburgPrairie AcreageAgricultural HeritageI-70 East GatewayComanche Crossing
$450K–$550Kmedian home price · 2026 (acreage properties)
I-70 east gateway — rural acreage, agricultural heritage, and the metro's most affordable frontier
Strasburg is where metro Denver meets the eastern plains — agricultural heritage, 5-35 acre parcels, and a community debating how fast to grow. Population could double in 25 years. At $500K median with land, it's a different value proposition than suburban lots. DIA is 25 minutes. The town is consciously trying to preserve its agricultural identity while accommodating growth.
Schools
Strasburg 31J (B). Small growing district. Community-focused.
Grocery
Very limited locally. Casey's, Agfinity Co-op. Full grocery in Bennett or Aurora.
Parks
Comanche Crossing Museum, community parks, open prairie
WatkinsMost Rural Metro AddressDIA 15 MinFront Range AirportPrairie Quiet
$400K–$500Kapproximate range · 2026 (very low inventory)
Unincorporated plains community between DIA and the eastern prairie — the most rural metro address
Watkins is the most rural address in metro Denver — unincorporated Adams County with ~1,300 people, wells and septic, and Front Range Airport as the main landmark. It's 15 minutes from DIA, which makes it paradoxically both remote and connected. Buyers come for land and quiet at prices well below the suburban metro.
Schools
Bennett 29J or Strasburg 31J depending on location. No local schools.
Grocery
Nothing in Watkins. Bennett (10 min) or Aurora (15 min).
Parks
Front Range Airport, open prairie, Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR (15 min)
Compare

Community Comparison

AuroraBennettStrasburgWatkins
Median Home$450K–$459K
Redfin $450K (Feb 2026, down 3.2% YoY) · Zillow $459K (down 4.4%). Entry condos from ~$200K.		$380K–$450K
Affordable — starter homes and acreage. New construction in Antelope Hills.		$450K–$550K
Acreage properties. 5-35 acre parcels common. Homes with land.		$400K–$500K
Acreage properties. Very low inventory — rural unincorporated area.
Commute (Off-Peak)20–25 min
Rush: 35–55 min		35–40 min
Rush: 50–70 min		35–40 min
Rush: 50–70 min		15–20 min
Rail TransitRTD R Line Light Rail
13 stations through Aurora — Peoria to RidgeGate		No public transit
Completely car-dependent rural town.		No public transit
Rural — completely car-dependent.		No public transit
Rural — wells, septic, gravel roads.
School DistrictCherry Creek School District (A)
Aurora Public Schools (APS) (C+)		Bennett School District 29J (B-)Strasburg School District 31J (B)Bennett 29J or Strasburg 31J (B-)
Top High SchoolCherokee Trail HS
#19 Best Public HS in CO (Niche)		Bennett HS
Strasburg HS
small, community-focused		Students attend Bennett or Strasburg schools depending on location
Signature ParkCherry Creek State Park — 4,200 acres, 880-acre reservoir, 35 mi trails, boating, swimming beach, campingAntelope Hills parks and trails (new development)Comanche Crossing Museum — historic siteFront Range Airport (general aviation)
VibeColorado's most diverse city — affordable, connected, and anchored by a world-class medical campusSmall-town I-70 east corridor — affordable lots, rural character, and Front Range commuter potentialI-70 east gateway — rural acreage, agricultural heritage, and the metro's most affordable frontierUnincorporated plains community between DIA and the eastern prairie — the most rural metro address
View All Denver Regions →