Help needed about el cajon asap (lady from uk) (Lakeside: apartment complexes, violent crime) - San Diego - California (CA) - City-Data Forum

juliaevans68 · 02-10-2010, 02:44 AM

my daughter (from the uk) is going to play soccer here in spring...... is it really that bad??? I am seriously worried as she will be living with an american family and we will not be in usa

iskray917 · 02-10-2010, 12:06 PM

I would generally ignore about 80-85% of what's said in "the awful truth about el cajon" thread, as a lot of it is greatly exaggerated in my opinion. I think the culture is the worst part. It's not dangerous unless you hang with the wrong crowd (which, hello, is the truth anywhere).

I think the bigger question is, why come all the way from the UK to play soccer in El Cajon?

NYSD1995 · 02-10-2010, 08:57 PM

There is a certain part of El Cajon that is dangerous. However the majority of it is not. Generally the bad area is mostly apartment complexes and few single-family homes. If you can give us an idea of where she will be living, we can give some specific feedback. Remember this is the USA and very few of our major cities are safe to walk around in after dark anymore. We primarily commute in our cars and if you keep to yourself and aren't involved with drugs, or out on the streets alone at night, your risk of being involved in violent crime is very low.

lrmsd · 02-10-2010, 09:01 PM

I mean,yes,it's bad,BUT,there are areas of extreme wealth and large ranches,etc. people who have been there for generations. The town itself is not a beacon of opportunity and hope,but there are nice areas.

I would imagine whomever offered to host a soccer student has children who play soccer,or have children,and have the means to host a student.

Research it more,yes,but there are families living in EC happily and safely. I know some of them.

ps-I walk around my neighborhood at night [carmel valley];it's great!!!! I,along with dozens of others walking their dogs or w/children....thank god there are still a few places in cities to do this.

juliaevans68 · 02-12-2010, 12:56 AM

Thank you so much for your replies. My daughter plays for MTSU and has been offered a place through the summer playing with san diego united. I am not sure yet which part of the place she will be staying. Yes she will be staying with a host family. Crime is everywhere. Since being on this forum I have been thinking about where I live in the UK..... how would I describe my town..... well it is good and bad... just stay away from the bad lol...

iskray917 · 02-12-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juliaevans68

Thank you so much for your replies. My daughter plays for MTSU and has been offered a place through the summer playing with san diego united. I am not sure yet which part of the place she will be staying. Yes she will be staying with a host family. Crime is everywhere. Since being on this forum I have been thinking about where I live in the UK..... how would I describe my town..... well it is good and bad... just stay away from the bad lol...

Ok so I just did a quick google/wiki search: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_United_(WPSL)

Is that what you're talking about? If so, they play at the UCSD stadium which is a nice place to play imo.

ranchosantafesmostwanted · 02-12-2010, 01:46 PM

El Cajon is mostly safe. It's safer than the average US city and has 100,000 people so you cant paint all of it with the same brush.

SDnative619 · 02-12-2010, 11:44 PM

If she is staying in the flats of el cajon then its not good but if she is staying in the hills of El Cajon,Granite Hills, or the area next to mount helix then it is good

jerzeepeach1953 · 02-13-2010, 02:04 AM

Hi! I moved here about a year ago from the Philadelphia/Southern NJ area. I presently live in the El Cajon area. I lived in Lakeside about 13 years ago, when El Cajon wasn't so "ethnic." My daughter and I moved to an area here, on Mollison Ave, near Main St, where we are actually in the minority.(We are caucasian). I honestly can say, tho', comparing to the area where I came from, this is a nice area. It's clean, and I honestly feel that I can walk out at nite, and no-one will bother me. I don't know exactly what people are comparing this area to, but when you come from an area like Phila, it's like heaven. The only problem that we have is that my grandson is in the minority at school. There is a large population of arabics here. We have alot of them living in my apartment building, but they are very nice, respectful people. We are planning on moving closer to the heart of san diego next month. The bottom line is that, overall, this is really, relatively, a nice area.

iskray917 · 02-13-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerzeepeach1953

Hi! I moved here about a year ago from the Philadelphia/Southern NJ area. I presently live in the El Cajon area. I lived in Lakeside about 13 years ago, when El Cajon wasn't so "ethnic." My daughter and I moved to an area here, on Mollison Ave, near Main St, where we are actually in the minority.(We are caucasian). I honestly can say, tho', comparing to the area where I came from, this is a nice area. It's clean, and I honestly feel that I can walk out at nite, and no-one will bother me. I don't know exactly what people are comparing this area to, but when you come from an area like Phila, it's like heaven. The only problem that we have is that my grandson is in the minority at school. There is a large population of arabics here. We have alot of them living in my apartment building, but they are very nice, respectful people. We are planning on moving closer to the heart of san diego next month. The bottom line is that, overall, this is really, relatively, a nice area.

Mollison and Main is near ECVHS. For the record, I would not consider this a very nice area to live. And ECV is one of the worst schools currently in the Grossmont District.