Best apartments / complexes in East County, San Diego (El Cajon, Santee: apartment complexes, rentals)

[charango622]

My niece is moving to San Diego from South Florida with her new husband and child. He will be working in far East County. They need to find a decent 1-bedroom or (if possible) 2-bedroom apartment somewhere in East County, preferably close to the 8 freeway.

The problem is the budget. Their max budget at this time is $900, maybe $950.

I saw the great post on the various neighborhoods, etc. That was good. Obviously we're looking for a safe area and kid friendly. She will be looking for a lease to start on March 1.

Any help would be appreciated.

[aacole]

I guess it depends on exactly what you mean by far east county. Are we talking Alpine or Occotillo?

I can recommend some apartments in Santee and Alpine.

In Alpine there is Alpine Village apartments. The outside looks like a motel at first glance, but they are decent apartments for the price. All two-bedrooms in varying sizes. The only downside is that they are very outdated. their website is Alpine Village Apartments in Alpine, CA - Alpine, California Apartment Rentals | Essex Property Trust

In santee there is a strip of apartment complexes on Graves ave. It is close to El Cajon and right off of the 67. The names of those complexes are Sun Ridge, Sunset Trails, Sandstone, and Greystone Ridge. Sun Ridge is the largest of them all and always has vacancies.

[Sillypups]

It's been little over 20 years since we lived there, but we lived in a nice apt complex. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the complex, but it was off of alta view drive & southbay freeway. I also understand they don't call it southbay freeway anymore. Sorry. It was close to Bonita which is very nice.
Best of luck.
We would LOVe to move back there...

[ontheGtrain]

Go to Alpine, CA. Its right on the 8. If he is moving that far away from home and working in far east county, I'd say he is in the patrol. Tell him to check out alpine country apartments and alpine village apartments if he is going to be working in campo or blvd stations. They both are decent and have other people in his profession there. They fit the budget you mentioned if you watch the prices on craigslist.com. A decent one bdroom on a 6 month lease will go about 800 to 840. On a 12 month lease you can get it for less than 800. Alpine is a nice safe community. Its like living in a little town in the middle of nowhere but you can be in the city in a few minutes on the 8. I like it.