El Cajon, located about 15 miles inland, is a mostly middle class neighborhood situated on a valley floor and surrounded by a pleasant rolling hill landscape. El Cajon real estate is affordable for southern California standards. School rankings range largely from the 50th to the 90th percentile, depending on neighborhood. A $75 million bond will build a new elementary school soon.

A performing arts center and an airfield provide culture to this workhorse town where the social scene is consistent. There are hills with views, if diversity is desired; homes with more room and more amenities.

El Cajon’s main thoroughfare consists of restaurants and shops that would greatly benefit by an increase in housing. Target, Mervyns, and other large discount stores and warehouses pump revenue into the city, and allow locals to put the money back into the community. There is also a Kaiser medical facility in town. Existing El Cajon homes are well maintained, a sense of pride resides in this neighborhood.

City SealRecreation includes 9 parks, four swimming pools, recreation centers and a mini-golf amusement center. There are also four public golf courses in town. Activities include a summer Farmers Market, an annual bike race, an Aerospace museum, and the Mother Goose Parade which attracts well into the thousands.

Close by is Cuyamaca Community College which boasts a spectacular sports complex with an fitness center, and a Casino just east.