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minneapoliswalker2026 jobs

Working in El Cajon -salaries realistic?

Hey everyone, I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 5.7%, which is about average. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great.
38 upvotes

15 Replies

Aubrey W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and my partner's job.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Strong job market in several industries

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Can feel isolated

Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are wild, gas is surprisingly good.

Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Hope this helps!.
39 upvotes
matthew_runner
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
38 upvotes
nashvillemama2020
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say I have mixed feelings honestly. The pet-friendliness is underrated compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Abigail Hall
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Pine Hills side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
33 upvotes
Avery
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely hit or miss and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
32 upvotes
Easton Hughes
100%
29 upvotes
Ezra Y.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if dating scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
27 upvotes
Scarlett Davis
thanks for sharing
20 upvotes
lake_kai67
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Greenfield for 3 years. Moved from LA for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Limited entertainment options. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Leonardo Thomas
Moved here from Nashville about 5 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
fresno_jameson
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
Mateo Morales
lol so true
12 upvotes
Elena Rogers
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Chicago it's decent.
5 upvotes
Jack
seconding this
4 upvotes
Brooklyn Evans
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value safety, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely better than expected and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Riverside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Seattle, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
1 upvotes
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