This is part of Lockheed Martin Relocation → [Lockheed Martin Relocation Hub] & the larger Denver Relocation Hub → [Denver Relocation Hub]
Written by: Chad Cabalka
If you work at Buckley or you’re a Lockheed Martin employee based in the east corridor, Aurora can be one of the smartest places to live. I’ve helped a lot of relocating professionals sort through this exact part of the metro, and the reason Aurora works is simple: it gives you practical access to Buckley, strong east-side commute options, and a wide range of neighborhoods that support real life instead of just looking good on a map.
For Buckley employees in particular, the commute logic is unusually straightforward. Buckley Space Force Base is in Aurora, and the base notes access via I-225 and 6th Avenue/CO-30, which makes southeast Aurora and Southlands-area housing especially relevant for people who want daily convenience without overpaying for a closer-in premium submarket.
Why Aurora Works
Aurora makes sense for east-corridor professionals because it sits right where work access, suburban housing, and everyday convenience overlap. You are not forcing yourself into a long, high-friction commute, and you are also not giving up the benefits of a real residential community with schools, shopping, and outdoor access nearby.
The biggest advantage is flexibility. Some Buckley buyers want the shortest possible commute, while others want newer homes, a family-friendly environment, or easier access to E-470 and DIA. Aurora gives you enough neighborhood variety to match those different priorities without leaving the area entirely.
Buckley Commute Reality
For Buckley employees, the route matters as much as the address. The base directions are clear: use I-225 and exit 9 for 6th Avenue/CO-30, then head east to the gate area. That means neighborhoods with straightforward access to I-225, 6th Avenue, or E-470 tend to be the most practical choices.
This is why I usually tell buyers not to overcomplicate the commute question. If you can live in a neighborhood that gives you an easy, repeatable drive to Buckley, your weekdays get better immediately. That is a much bigger quality-of-life improvement than people often realize during a house hunt.
Tollgate Crossing
Tollgate Crossing is one of the strongest neighborhood picks for Buckley and east-corridor professionals who want a well-rounded suburban setup. It sits in southeast Aurora, near Southlands, Aurora Reservoir, and major road access points, which makes it especially appealing for buyers who want convenience without feeling boxed into a busier core area.
What makes Tollgate Crossing useful is that it offers a lot of the things relocating families and professionals want all in one place. You have newer-feeling housing, nearby schools, access to shopping, greenbelts, and a location that supports both Buckley commuting and east-side daily routines.
I like Tollgate Crossing for buyers who say, “I want a suburban home base that just works.” It is not the most dramatic or prestigious option in Aurora, but it is one of the most functionally strong choices for a Lockheed employee who values a dependable lifestyle over a flashy one.
Southlands Area
Southlands is the more polished, lifestyle-oriented side of southeast Aurora. It gives you a suburban feel with a stronger retail and amenity presence, and it tends to appeal to buyers who want a move-in-friendly environment that feels modern and easy to live in.
For east-corridor professionals, Southlands is often the neighborhood reference point because it has the kind of convenience that makes relocation feel less like a compromise. You are close to everyday errands, family amenities, and a community layout that supports routine without a lot of extra driving.
If Tollgate Crossing is the practical choice, Southlands is the “everything feels easy” choice. I often recommend Southlands-area housing to buyers who want a stronger lifestyle component and are willing to prioritize that over being as close as possible to the base gate.
Tollgate Versus Southlands
This is usually the real decision for Buckley buyers. Tollgate Crossing tends to win on neighborhood function, school proximity, and practical east Aurora access. Southlands tends to win on lifestyle, shopping, and the feeling of living in a more complete suburban hub.
Here is the cleanest way to think about it:
- Tollgate Crossing if you want a balanced, practical, family-friendly Aurora neighborhood with strong access.
- Southlands if you want more retail convenience, a more polished suburban feel, and a slightly more lifestyle-forward base.
- Neither if your top priority is being as close as possible to Buckley’s gate and minimizing every minute of the drive.
That distinction matters because buyers sometimes choose based on the look of the home and forget they still have to live the commute every weekday.
Housing And Value
Aurora is one of the better value markets for east-corridor professionals because it offers a wider range of price points and home styles than many closer-in Denver options. In Tollgate Crossing and the Southlands orbit, buyers often find more spacious homes and more suburban livability than they would in areas closer to the central metro.
That said, value is not just about the sticker price. It is about whether the home supports your daily routine, school needs, and commute pattern. A slightly less expensive house that creates a worse drive or a less convenient lifestyle can end up feeling more expensive in practice.
My advice is to think in terms of the whole household:
- Choose Tollgate Crossing if you want a strong practical base with good neighborhood utility.
- Choose Southlands if you want convenience, newer-feeling amenities, and a more polished daily experience.
- Choose closer to Buckley if commute simplicity is the absolute priority.
- Choose farther east only if you intentionally want more space and can live with the added drive.
What Daily Life Feels Like
Aurora’s east corridor feels functional, suburban, and easy to organize around. That is a real advantage for relocating professionals because it reduces the number of small daily decisions you have to make. You can settle into a rhythm quickly, which matters when the move itself is already a big adjustment.
Tollgate Crossing tends to feel quieter and more residential, with a strong family orientation. Southlands feels a little more complete as a lifestyle center, with shopping and daily convenience close by. Both give you the kind of east-side living that makes a Buckley or Lockheed relocation feel manageable instead of chaotic.
The area also benefits from strong access to major transportation routes. That matters if you occasionally need to head toward DIA, the DTC, or other east-side destinations. For people with a hybrid or travel-heavy schedule, that connectivity can be just as important as the commute to Buckley itself.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is assuming all of Aurora is the same. It isn’t. Tollgate Crossing and Southlands are not interchangeable, and the difference between them matters if you want the right daily lifestyle rather than just a house with a similar zip code.
Another mistake is ignoring the road network. The east side of Aurora can be very convenient, but convenience depends on where you live relative to I-225, 6th Avenue, E-470, and the specific Buckley gate you’ll use. Buyers who test-drive the area at the wrong time of day sometimes get a misleading impression.
A few things I always tell Lockheed and Buckley buyers:
- Don’t choose a home without testing the actual commute route.
- Don’t assume Southlands and Tollgate Crossing are the same experience.
- Don’t overpay for lifestyle features you won’t use.
- Don’t ignore school boundaries and neighborhood flow.
- Don’t buy farther from Buckley than your routine can comfortably support.
Who These Areas Fit Best
Tollgate Crossing is best for buyers who want a practical, family-friendly, well-connected neighborhood that makes daily life easy. It is a strong choice if you care about schools, green space, access, and a commute that stays sensible.
Southlands is best for buyers who want more convenience and a slightly more polished suburban feel. It works well for professionals who value being close to shopping, dining, and a stronger lifestyle hub without sacrificing east-side access.
For Buckley employees, I usually start with Tollgate Crossing if the buyer wants the most balanced option and Southlands if they want the most lifestyle-friendly one. That sequence keeps the search grounded in what actually matters day to day.
Lairio And Local Help
This is exactly the kind of relocation where Mile High Home Group and Lairio can help. When you’re moving for Lockheed or Buckley, you need more than neighborhood names. You need someone who understands the commute, the east-corridor tradeoffs, and which pockets of Aurora actually fit a professional household.
We focus on helping relocating buyers make smart, confident choices based on route efficiency, neighborhood quality, and long-term livability. That is the difference between simply buying a home and making a move that truly works.
Final Take
For Buckley and east-corridor professionals, Tollgate Crossing is the strongest practical choice and Southlands is the strongest lifestyle choice. Both are excellent options in Aurora, but they solve slightly different problems.
If you want the most balanced, commute-conscious answer, start with Tollgate Crossing. If you want a more polished, amenity-rich suburban base, Southlands deserves a serious look.
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