North Aurora

Situated about 35 miles west of downtown Chicago, North Aurora, Illinois, is a small town about four miles up the Fox River from the much larger suburban city of Aurora. In 1834, a German immigrant by the name of John Peter Schneider moved to the area and is credited with establishing a dam and mill on the Fox River, thereby fathering what we know today as North Aurora. The town has blossomed into a vibrant community with a population just under 19,329 . There are a number of reasons why people find North Aurora an attractive place to live, not the least of which are the relatively affordable and modern housing opportunities available while remaining within commuting distance to metro Chicago.

Shopping and Dining

While many communities say they offer the best of small town life among big city conveniences, few of them can deliver on that promise like North Aurora. While North Aurora does not make such a specific claim, it certainly meets the requirements to legitimately fit the bill. The Village of North Aurora lies less than 40 miles from downtown Chicago. North Aurora’s residents and visitors, however, needn’t head into the city every time they crave a fine meal or want to shop for something special. Shopaholics can get their fix at any number of locations in and around North Aurora, including the massive North Aurora Towne Centre, with more than 500,000 square feet of retail space. This relatively new and spacious mall is a stone’s throw north of Interstate 88 and is anchored by JCPenney, Target and Best Buy. There are also a wide variety of shopping and dining venues available just four miles south in Aurora. Here you will find numerous unique shops and boutiques in the city’s downtown area, along with one-stop shopping malls like Northgate Shopping Center, Westfield Fox Valley Shopping Mall and Chicago Premium Outlets.

Parks and Recreation

Active and passive recreational options abound in the Village of North Aurora. It maintains several neighborhood parks within the village’s limits, along with a nature center, fishing holes and bike trails that meander alongside the banks of the Fox River. Tee off at one of the municipal golf courses, play some pool and billiards, go bowling or horseback riding, or catch a flick at the multiplex movie theater. Then, when you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous and exciting, make use of the myriad outdoor and indoor recreational options provided by the Fox Valley Park District. The Fox Valley Park District is a nature enthusiast’s dream come true. In addition to the Red Oak Nature Center, the district provides almost limitless facilities and parkland, including 41 miles of multi-purpose trails and pathways, 83 playgrounds, more than 150 parks, 24 lakes, and 50 baseball and softball fields. There are also two water parks and an athletic center.

Living

It’s apparent to residents and visitors that North Aurora is a community unafraid of change. “The Village with a View to the Future,” as it likes to call itself, can be likened to a teenager in the midst of a growth spurt. Since its inception, North Aurora has endeavored to transform itself in accordance with the various demands of the times. This beautiful Fox River community has evolved from a predominately local, freestanding, railroad-centric economy to a more contemporary, suburban village, with convenient commuting options into metro Chicago.

Schools, Health, Transportation

The public school system that serves the Village is the West Aurora Public School District. North Aurora’s public school district merged with the City of Aurora’s during the early 1960s. The residents of North Aurora receive acute healthcare services primarily from Edward Hospital, Copley Memorial Hospital and Provena Mercy Medical Center. North Aurora is situated on Interstate 88, providing residents with a convenient and fast route into downtown Chicago. Some other transportation options include Routes 31, 25 and 56 (otherwise known as Butterfield Road). Public transportation in the Village is available via the Metra rail system and Pace buses.