Part of the cluster
Military + VA Buyer services →Buckley Space Force Base sits on the east side of Aurora. Most arriving families ask the same question: where should we actually live? Here is the honest 2026 answer. My broader relocation comparison can help you weigh daily-life priorities beyond base access.
Aurora (closest)
South Aurora and Southlands are the obvious shortest commute: 10 to 20 minutes depending on gate. Inventory ranges from 2000s tract to newer construction. Schools vary widely; do the block-level homework. For the purchase itself, follow my VA buying process for a Buckley move.
Centennial and Parker
Slightly longer commute (25-40 minutes) in exchange for stronger school perception, more space, and a more suburban feel. Popular with families relocating with school-age kids.
Denver, Stapleton/Central Park
About 25-30 minutes via I-225 and I-70. Walkable urban-suburban feel, mature trees, parks. Higher price per square foot than Aurora.
Renting vs. buying on a 2-3 year assignment
If you are confident on a 3+ year assignment and can use your VA benefit cleanly, buying usually wins on a back-of-envelope basis. Below 24 months, transaction costs eat the math. We can run the numbers together.
About the author
Maddie Cowger is a bilingual (English + Spanish) Realtor with eXp Realty serving the Denver and Boulder metro. SRES- and SFR-certified, with a marketing background that predates her real estate career. Read her story or book a no-pressure call.
