2026 Relocation GuideDenver East Metro

Find Your Ideal Community in the East Metro

The I-225 / E-470 / I-70 east corridor — Aurora's north, central, and south sub-markets plus the rural-suburban communities stretching toward the plains.

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

Regional Summary

Coming Soon

Community Profiles

Get to Know Each Community

What makes each community tick — from the price tag to the Saturday morning vibe.

Aurora

Colorado's third-largest city — affordable, connected, and anchored by the Anschutz Medical Campus
Median price · 2026
$450K–$459K

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.

154 sq mi · 3 CountiesStanley MarketplaceAnschutz Medical CampusA Line to DIA
Aurora is Colorado's third-largest city at 154 square miles spanning three counties, 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.
UC Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

Bennett

Small-town I-70 east corridor — affordable lots, rural character, and Front Range commuter potential
Median price · 2026
$380K–$450K
I-70 East CorridorAffordable New ConstructionDIA AccessSmall Town
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.
Bijou Creek aerial near Bennett, CO

Strasburg

I-70 east gateway — rural acreage, agricultural heritage, and the metro's most affordable frontier
Median price · 2026
$450K–$550K
Prairie AcreageAgricultural HeritageI-70 East GatewayComanche Crossing
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.
Aerial view of Strasburg, CO

Watkins

Unincorporated plains community between DIA and the eastern prairie — the most rural metro address
Median price · 2026
$400K–$500K
Most Rural Metro AddressDIA 15 MinFront Range AirportPrairie Quiet
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.
Colfax Avenue at Watkins Road, Watkins, CO
Lifestyle Snapshot

What You'll Do On a Typical Weekend

🌍
Aurora
Stanley Marketplace, Cherry Creek State Park & Global Dining
  • ·Stanley Marketplace — 50+ local vendors in a restored aviation hangar (Annette, Rosenberg's, Comida)
  • ·Cherry Creek State Park — 4,200 acres of boating, beaches, and trails minutes from the city
  • ·Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center — 1,500 rooms, indoor waterpark, year-round events
  • ·Aurora Fox Arts Center — community theater on the historic Colfax corridor
  • ·Southlands Mall — open-air shopping, dining, and seasonal farmers market
  • ·Global dining along Havana Street — Ethiopian, Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican — one of CO's best international food corridors
🌾
Bennett
Prairie Living & I-70 East Affordability
  • ·Small-town main street
  • ·Antelope Hills new development — pools, parks, trails
  • ·High school sports — community anchor
  • ·DIA access (20-25 min)
  • ·Open prairie views and stargazing
  • ·Growing population with new construction
🏡
All Communities
What Every Community Shares
  • ·Rocky Mountain views from almost every neighborhood
  • ·King Soopers within 5 minutes of most addresses
  • ·Strong Front Range outdoor culture year-round
  • ·Access to the regional trail network
  • ·Jefferson County / Douglas County Open Space parks within 20 min
🚜
Strasburg
Agricultural Heritage, Acreage & Prairie Horizons
  • ·Comanche Crossing Historical Society and Museum
  • ·Strasburg Days — annual community festival
  • ·High school sports — small-town Friday nights
  • ·Open prairie views to the Continental Divide on clear days
  • ·Horse and livestock property
  • ·Growing slowly while preserving agricultural character
🌅
Watkins
Prairie Sunrises, Airport Adjacent & Off-Grid Quiet
  • ·Front Range Airport — general aviation hub
  • ·Prairie sunrises and unobstructed mountain sunsets
  • ·Horse property and rural living
  • ·Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR nearby (15 min)
  • ·DIA proximity (15-20 min) for frequent flyers
  • ·Minimal development — appeals to those seeking quiet
Getting There

Commute & Transit

Off-peak drive times and transit options. Rush-hour times assume typical weekday conditions.

Aurora
To Downtown Denver
20–25 min
Rush: 35–55 min I-225 to I-25, or Colfax/light rail
To DIA
20–35 min
Rush: 30–45 min E-470 or RTD A Line (37 min, $10.50)
To DTC / Greenwood Village
15–20 min
I-225 south
RTD R Line Light Rail 13 stations through Aurora — Peoria to RidgeGate
RTD A Line to DIA Commuter rail, 37 min to airport, every 15 min
RTD Bus Network Extensive local and express bus routes
Bennett
To Downtown Denver
35–40 min
Rush: 50–70 min I-70 west
To DIA
20–25 min
I-70 west to Peña
No public transit Completely car-dependent rural town.
Strasburg
To Downtown Denver
35–40 min
Rush: 50–70 min I-70 west
To DIA
20–30 min
I-70 west
No public transit Rural — completely car-dependent.
Watkins
To DIA
15–20 min
Closest rural community to the airport
To Downtown Denver
25–30 min
Rush: 40–55 min I-70 west
No public transit Rural — wells, septic, gravel roads.
Education

School Districts & Standout Schools

Aurora
A
Cherry Creek School District
#1 in Colorado
▸Cherokee Trail HS — #19 Best Public HS in CO (Niche)
▸Grandview HS — top-ranked, strong AP/IB programs
▸Cherry Creek HS — A+, flagship campus
▸Challenge School and Cherry Creek Charter — top elementary
Aurora
C+
Aurora Public Schools (APS)
▸Rangeview HS — strong athletics, large student body
▸Aurora Central HS — historic campus
▸APS serves central and north Aurora — 64 languages spoken district-wide
Bennett
B-
Bennett School District 29J
▸Bennett HS
▸Small rural district
Strasburg
B
Strasburg School District 31J
▸Strasburg HS — small, community-focused
▸Growing enrollment
Watkins
B-
Bennett 29J or Strasburg 31J
▸Students attend Bennett or Strasburg schools depending on location