If you’re moving to Aurora Colorado and trying to figure out which new-home communities deserve a serious look, Painted Prairie should absolutely be on your radar. This master-planned community in Aurora is getting a lot of attention, and for good reason. The location is convenient, the neighborhood plan is ambitious, and the model homes offer some really smart layouts for the price point.

I recently spent time touring two of the homes here, Residence 3 and Residence 2, and both of them do a great job of showing what life in Painted Prairie can look like. If you’re moving to Aurora Colorado for work, for more space, or just for a better balance between city access and neighborhood living, these homes give you a solid feel for what’s available.

Table of Contents

• Inside Painted Prairie Model Homes
• Parks, Amenities & Future Town Center in Painted Prairie, Aurora CO
• Residence 3 Model Home Tour at Painted Prairie, Aurora CO
• Residence 2 Model Home Tour at Painted Prairie, Aurora Colorado
• Residence 2 vs Residence 3: Which Painted Prairie Home Fits You Best
• FAQs About Moving to Aurora Colorado & Painted Prairie Community
• Final Thoughts on Painted Prairie in Aurora, Colorado Living

Inside Painted Prairie Model Homes

Painted Prairie is one of those communities that makes a strong first impression because it is trying to be more than just a collection of houses. There is a real neighborhood concept behind it, and that matters.

When people are moving to Aurora Colorado, they usually want more than square footage. They want a location that works for their commute, a neighborhood that feels intentional, and a home that doesn’t feel like a compromise. Painted Prairie checks a lot of those boxes.

This development sits just off E-470, between 56th and 64th, which gives it a very practical location. If you work near Denver International Airport, the drive is only about 12 minutes. That is a huge advantage for airport employees, frequent travelers, or anyone whose job keeps them tied to that side of the metro area.

If you need access to downtown Denver, you are looking at roughly 18 miles, or about 30 minutes depending on traffic. Between E-470 and I-70, the connectivity is one of the strongest selling points here.

That location alone is enough to put Painted Prairie into the conversation for anyone moving to Aurora Colorado, but the community planning adds another layer.

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Parks, Amenities & Future Town Center in Painted Prairie, Aurora CO

One of the most appealing parts of Painted Prairie is the overall vision for the neighborhood. There are about eight builders working in the community, which creates around 60 different floor plans to choose from. That kind of variety matters because not everybody wants the same thing.

Some buyers want a dedicated office. Some want open entertaining space. Some need a loft, a basement, or flexible rooms that can change with life. Painted Prairie has enough builder and plan diversity that it does not feel one-note.

The outdoor and community features are also a big part of the appeal. The neighborhood is being built around:

• Multiple parks
• Botanic garden spaces
• A planned town center
• Future shops and restaurants
• Gathering spaces designed to create a real neighborhood feel

That future town center is especially important. The idea is to create a place where people can hang out, grab a bite, and spend time close to home instead of always needing to leave the neighborhood for basic lifestyle amenities.

For buyers moving to Aurora Colorado, that can be a major plus. Convenience is not just about roads and commute times. It is also about whether your neighborhood gives you places to enjoy your daily life.

Residence 3 Model Home Tour at Painted Prairie, Aurora CO

Residence 3 is the first model home I toured, and right away it felt like a plan designed for how people actually live now.

It comes in at about 2,200 square feet, with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. There is also an optional outdoor living space, and there is a basement level that adds even more potential if you decide to finish it.

A front office that actually makes sense

As soon as you enter, there is a dedicated office off to the right. That is such a smart use of space. With so many people working from home at least part of the time, having a true workspace near the front of the house is a lot more functional than trying to carve out a desk corner somewhere else.

Near the entry, you also have a powder bath and a hall closet, which keeps the front of the house practical and guest-friendly.

An open main level with a standout kitchen

As you move deeper into the home, the layout opens into a large great room and kitchen area. This is where Residence 3 really starts to shine.

The kitchen has a dark contrasting island paired with lighter countertops, and it works really well visually. That contrast gives the room some personality without going overboard. There is also a gas range, nice marbling in the counters, and tall cabinets that run all the way to the ceiling.

That ceiling-height cabinetry gives the kitchen a more finished, upscale look. Even if those top shelves end up being the place where you stash the dishes you barely use, it still makes the room feel taller and cleaner.

The backsplash has a fun, more detailed look too, which keeps the kitchen from feeling too plain or builder-basic.

Nearby, there is a pantry and a mudroom area, both of which help keep the daily traffic flow organized.

The optional outdoor living space is a major highlight

One of my favorite parts of Residence 3 is the optional outdoor living area. The home opens with large sliding glass doors onto a covered patio space with a fireplace, and it feels like an extension of the main living area rather than an afterthought.

Yes, choosing that kind of covered outdoor area means you are giving up some yard space. But honestly, for a lot of buyers, that is a worthwhile trade. Instead of maintaining a larger yard you may not use much, you get a shaded, protected outdoor room that works in more weather conditions.

On hot days, you have relief from the sun. If it rains or snows, you still have usable space outside. In Colorado, that kind of flexibility can make outdoor living a lot more enjoyable.

Comfortable living space and a flexible upper level

The main living area has wide plank flooring and a fireplace that anchors the room nicely. It feels bright, open, and easy to furnish.

Upstairs, the layout continues with a loft or flex space at the top of the stairs. That extra open area makes the whole floor feel less cramped and gives you room for a play area, media zone, study nook, or second lounge.

The primary bedroom is a good size and is shown with a king bed, which helps illustrate that the room can handle larger furniture comfortably. The natural light is solid, and the primary bath includes a large walk-in shower and a generously sized walk-in closet.

There are also two additional bedrooms upstairs, plus a full bathroom and an upstairs laundry room. That laundry placement is one of those features that just makes everyday life easier. Not having to haul clothes up and down stairs is a small thing until you live without it.

One of the secondary bedrooms has a really cool accent wall detail, which gives a hint of how these spaces can be personalized. The other bedroom is a little smaller, but the overall openness of the loft and floor plan keeps the upper level feeling spacious.

Basement potential

Residence 3 also includes a basement. In the model, it is unfinished, but it offers roughly 800 square feet of additional space if you choose to finish it later.

That gives this home some nice long-term flexibility. If you are moving to Aurora Colorado and want room to grow, the unfinished basement can become future value instead of immediate expense.

Residence 2 Model Home Tour at Painted Prairie, Aurora Colorado

The second model, Residence 2, comes in at about 2,169 square feet. It offers 3 bedrooms with the option for up to 4, and either 2.5 or 3.5 bathrooms depending on how the home is finished out.

This one also includes a finished basement in the model, which adds a lot to the overall value proposition.

A brighter, more front-loaded kitchen layout

Right when you enter Residence 2, the kitchen is one of the first things you notice. It has a wide-open feel and a nice central island with attractive veining in the countertop.

This kitchen uses white cabinetry, and while it does not quite have the same ceiling-height effect as Residence 3, it still feels clean, bright, and modern. It also includes an electric range and a built-in microwave set into the cabinetry, which gives it a polished look.

The dining and living areas flow directly from the kitchen, creating a straightforward open-concept layout that would work well for both daily life and entertaining.

A fun rec room option off the back

One of the more unique features in Residence 2 is the optional rec room space at the back of the home. This area is shown with a garage-style door that opens to the outside, and it creates a very different vibe from a standard living room.

This could work really well as:

• A game room
• A hangout space
• A hobby room
• A workout zone
• A man cave or she shed style retreat

It is the kind of feature that gives the home personality. Not every buyer needs it, but the right buyer is going to love it.

Another useful office near the front

Just like Residence 3, this home also includes a front office space. Again, that is a strong layout choice for the way many people live and work now.

There is also a nearby bathroom and coat closet, which helps make the front part of the home practical and guest-ready.

Upstairs loft, strong natural light, and flexible bedrooms

At the top of the stairs, Residence 2 has a loft or flex space similar to Residence 3. It is a nice open area, and in the model it includes a built-in desk setup that would be perfect for homework, projects, or overflow work-from-home space.

The windows up here are especially good. They bring in a lot of natural light, and that helps the entire upper level feel airy.

The primary bedroom is spacious and bright, and the bathroom includes white cabinetry, a large walk-in shower, and a walk-in closet. The shower actually feels even a bit bigger than the one in Residence 3, although the closet seems slightly smaller.

There is a view toward the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center from this level as well, which is a neat little bonus depending on lot placement.

The upstairs laundry room is another welcome convenience, and the secondary bedrooms offer decent flexibility. One is styled more like a nursery or kids’ room with fun wallpaper, and another has a lot of windows that make it feel especially open.

If you do not need the loft, that open area can also be enclosed and turned into an additional bedroom, bringing the total to four.

A finished basement that adds real living space

Residence 2 separates itself even more with its finished basement. This level adds about 759 square feet of usable space, and it is not just empty square footage. It is laid out in a way that makes it genuinely useful.

Downstairs, there is a recreation area, a bathroom with a big walk-in shower, and a room that works well as an exercise space. There is also a bedroom-sized room with a large closet that adds flexibility for guests, hobbies, or storage needs.

For anyone moving to Aurora Colorado who wants a home with more finished living area from day one, Residence 2 makes a compelling case.

Residence 2 vs Residence 3: Which Painted Prairie Home Fits You Best

Between the two, the better choice really depends on how you live.

Residence 3 stands out if you want:

• A slightly larger main plan at around 2,200 square feet
• A kitchen with stronger design detail
• A particularly attractive optional covered outdoor living space
• An open upper-level loft that enhances the sense of space
• Basement flexibility you can finish later

Residence 2 may be the better fit if you want:

• A bright, straightforward open layout
• A fun optional rec room concept
• A finished basement already included in the showcased design
• The option to create a fourth bedroom
• Lots of windows and strong natural light throughout

Both homes do a nice job of including the features many buyers are asking for right now:

• Dedicated office space
• Open kitchens and living areas
• Loft or flex spaces
• Upstairs laundry rooms
• Good natural light
• Basement options for expansion

That is a big reason Painted Prairie is getting attention from buyers moving to Aurora Colorado. These homes are built for modern routines, not outdated ones.

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FAQs About Moving to Aurora Colorado & Painted Prairie Community

Final Thoughts on Painted Prairie in Aurora, Colorado Living

If you’re moving to Aurora Colorado and you want a new-construction neighborhood with strong location benefits and thoughtful home designs, Painted Prairie is worth a serious look. It offers convenient airport access, reasonable downtown connectivity, future neighborhood amenities, and a wide variety of floor plans from multiple builders.

Residence 3 and Residence 2 both show off what this community is doing well. The homes feel current, flexible, and practical. They are designed for people who want open living, useful work-from-home space, and room that can adapt over time.

And honestly, that is what many buyers are really after when they are moving to Aurora Colorado. Not just a house, but a place that fits how they actually live.

If you’d like help comparing Painted Prairie with other options for your move to Aurora Colorado, I’m happy to talk through your needs and set you up with the right next steps. Call or text me, Gary Bradler at 720-613-8710 , and I’ll respond with a plan that fits your timeline.

READ MORE: Moving to Denver CO: Best Places to Live in the Denver Metro Area