El Cajon Apartments and Rentals

El Cajon means "the big box" in Spanish-and that's this city's nickname, too. It probably earned the moniker because the surrounding mountains made the valley a safe enclosure for cattle. Don't worry; it's not because it's lousy with big box stores! El Cajon is a quiet city, within easy driving distance of San Diego and the sea. If that sounds good to you, you might be right for an El Cajon apartment.

In 1845, Mexico granted land to Maria Antonia Estudillo in the El Cajon Valley to settle an obligation. It was just ranchland then. In 1876, a hotel was built to cater to the gold miners travelling between San Diego and Julian. El Cajon was incorporated as a city in 1912. It developed in an orderly fashion through the war years and then boomed in size. Growth has tapered since then, leaving the city with around 100,000 residents. El Cajon includes the neighborhoods of Fletcher Hills, Bostonia, and Rancho San Diego.

If you're looking for employment in El Cajon, most of your opportunity will be with retail stores, the government, or in the field of education. The largest employer in town is Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, followed by GKN Aerospace Chem-tronics and the City of El Cajon. Taylor Guitars build their innovative instruments in the city. The Westfield Parkway shopping center is in town as well, and many residents find work with tenants such as Sears, Target, and JCPenny.

If you're seeking a tertiary education in El Cajon, you have three choices: Grossmont College, Cuyamaca College, or San Diego Christian College.

If you're looking to rent an El Cajon apartment, expect to pay between $953 and $1,163 a month for a one-bedroom place. The cost of living here is higher, too. Expenses exceed the national average by 25 percent. The vacancy rate is low, and that makes rental properties harder to find. Only three percent of places are available at any given time.

There aren't a ton of major attractions in El Cajon, but there's enough going on in this city to keep locals happy. The East County Performing Arts Center is one of the best venues in the area for music, theater, and more. There are a few small museums to visit, such as the Olaf Wieghorst Museum, the Heritage of the Americas Museum, and the Knox House Museum. You can play golf at Sycuan Resort, the Lakes, Cottonwood, or other courses, as well.

El Cajon keeps its residents supplied with an entertaining mix of annual events. The Cajon Classic Cruise is southern California's largest classic car show. You can enjoy the carnival atmosphere whether you're driving your vintage ride or just watching and admiring. The Wings Over Gillespie air show comes around in June with WWII bombers, Zeroes, and more. The Alley Cat Summer Fest unites the city around art and community. Then there's the annual Fourth of July picnic and fireworks to look forward to as well.

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