El Cajon

WHO will love living in El Cajon?

Someone seeking lower home prices, plenty of room to grow and arid climates to top it off. You scoff at marine layer and the tiny apartments along the coast. No, you want more bang for your hard-earned buck. And, El Cajon is just the right no-frills place to spend it.

WHAT will you see?

A nestled valley for quiet living, surrounded in all directions by rolling mountains. El Cajon is aptly named ‘the box’ in Spanish. Luckily for you, your box will contain everything you can need or want. All of the major stores are here, from Target to Macy’s to Walmart, plus well-known chain eateries.

WHERE will you eat?

Forks up, adventurous eaters! Because of a large population of Iraqis, you can dine for days on Middle Eastern cuisine, including Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian, Persian, and Iranian. We’re hungry just thinking of Ali Baba, Al Azayem, and Nahrain Fish and Chicken Grill.  Cool modern eats have been lagging, but so far URBN Pizza and Creative Creature Brewery have been nailing it.

HOW will you spend your time?

Playing ball with your kids or walking your dogs in one of El Cajon’s 17 parks. Because it’s often 10 degrees warmer here than other parts of San Diego, you’ll be keeping cool at Parkway Plaza, one of the few indoor malls in San Diego County.

WHY you’ll love living here?

The sun-drenched days and the desert temps. Here, you’ll love the big yards, your garage space, and all the spare rooms in your house. Plus, you’re closer to all of the popular East County casinos, like Viejas (their new Willows Spa is one of the county’s best), Barona, and Sycuan. You may be 17 miles east of downtown, but with a San Diego Trolley stop right in El Cajon, you won’t even have to drive there.