Possibly relocating. Work in El Cajon. Where can I live thats affordable and cooler weather? (San Diego: apartment, rent)

[KeepYouInMind]

I heard it can get real hot in El Cajon. I'm coming from a hot place(IE) and I'm really tired of it. If my work is in El Cajon, wWhere can I live that's affordable(1200 max apartment, any recommendations?) and somewhere where the weather is cooler(closer to the ocean i'm assuming, Chula Vista??), and somewhere where the commute won't be bad. I don't really know what the traffic will be like from say chula vista to el cajon and back.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Unless you live about 5 miles or less from the coast it will have hot weather in the summer. CV to EC will be a really crappy commute depending on time of day. Can you go in at 10 and get home at 9?

[Mugsy]

National City would be closer, along the 5 near the trolley. Use it to get to work, maybe.
It is 10 minutes to 12th & Imperial from 24th St. Trolley, then 30 minutes on the Orange Line to El Cajon.

Barrio Logan, maybe or the area near 25th and Commercial. Close to downtown and the water. And on the trolley line also.

[oddstray]

Mission Valley might be cooler, since it gets a breeze off the ocean into the river valley. But I don't know what the commute would be like to/from El Cajon.

El Cajon does get hot during the summer. But not IE hot, I don't think.

[Mugsy]

El Cajon means the bowl in Spanish, I think.

I used to ride the trolley from SYI to Santee every day when I was employed there for 18 years.

Mission Valley gets hot also. And the rents there are not cheep.

Lemon Grove has a reputation for a cooler climate than El Cajon.

[RosieSD]

$1200 is going to be tight just about any where in San Diego County. So, you may have to compromise on the heat, unless you're willing to live with roommates. That said, the weather in El Cajon is not as warm as parts of the Inland Empire, since downtown El Cajon is only 20 miles from the coast itself.

Mugsy's suggestion of Lemon Grove is good. Also try these areas close to El Cajon but at slightly higher elevations: Spring Valley, Rolando, La Mesa, City Heights, Rancho San Diego, Alpine, Pine Valley, Descanso, Kearny Mesa, and possibly Ramona. El Cajon itself is very spread out and there are some parts towards the east that are at higher elevations and thus cooler than the center of downtown El Cajon, so don't rule it out entirely either.

If you absolutely need to be closer to the coast, try Otay Mesa, Imperial Beach, Nestor in addition to Chula Vista, Paradise Hills, San Ysidro and National City.

However, for most of these areas, be sure to check crime statistics carefully before committing. Your budget may put you into less desirable areas.

But, honestly, the median rent for a 1 bedroom in San Diego County is hovering at $1700, so you are probably going to have to compromise if your budget is only $1200 --- either consider a roommate situation, put up with slightly warmer inland weather, or be willing to live in a less safe area.

Good luck with your move!

[moved]

If you don't want an apartment with amenities, you can find one for $1,000/month.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by moved

If you don't want an apartment with amenities, you can find one for $1,000/month.

Any other suggestions on where the poster should look?

[GER308]

OB?


I've been out of San Diego / USA for 17 years now, damm it's expensive now. I thought it was expensive when I left. I was born and grew up in El Cajon, well just on top of one of the hills that form the "Box". I commuted to Pt. Loma for work for a few years till I moved to OB. Not sure how it is now but Beach-EC -Beach is still better than the other way around I suppose.

[Mugsy]

I would find a different job, when you can.

What line of work are you in?