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AVERAGE LIST PRICE: 4 BEDROOM $294,000 - 3 BEDROOMS $186,000

Inland city about 18 miles from the ocean. Blue collar and middle-class suburban. Much of El Cajon is built on a valley floor surrounded by hills. Summers on the valley floor tend toward warm but the hills do have some afternoon breezes.

El Cajon has more apartments than single homes and among owner-occupied units, that old favorite, the 3 bedroom home dominates, followed by the 4 bedrooms. If you want a view and 4 bedrooms, drive the hills. In recent years, the hills have tended to be upscale.

Children attend schools in Cajon Valley district, then move up to schools in the Grossmont district. Shopping is plentiful with Parkway Plaza offering a variety of shops. Cuyamaca Community College, south of El Cajon, opened a state-of-the-art sports complex that includes a gym, track, fitness room and aerobics.