East County Magazine
The stress of apartment searching in San Diego: monthly rents and cost of living exceed national average, while scammers target renters
By Heidi Hope December 15, 2025 (San Diego) — Hunting for an affordable apartment in San Diego County is a recipe for aggravating stress. Rents and living expenses in the city of San Diego are among the highest in the nation. East County communities are also too expensive for a single person working a low-wage part-time job to afford. Scam
Keep pets safe throughout the holiday season
By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The holidays are a time for food, family and celebration. But the extra activity, rich meals and decorations can create hazards for pets. County Animal Services is sharing safety tips to help keep cats, dogs and other pets safe from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Hearing and new website showcase County housing efforts
By Donna Durckel, County of San Diego Communications Office Image credit: Shutterstock November 28, 2025 (San Diego) – The Board of Supervisors held a housing workshop that focused on unincorporated land use policy and the need for regional housing solutions in support of the County’s commitment to address the region’s housing crisis. The informational workshop set the stage ahead of
San Diego plans 322% housing boom for College Area amid SDSU’s continued growth
By Calista Stocker, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo: an aerial view of the College Area. Photo courtesy of the city. November 25, 2025 (San Diego) – San Diego is set to update the College Area’s blueprint for future development, and San Diego State University’s enrollment forecasts are driving city planners’ push to
Warner Springs opens historic adobe doors for inaugural Holiday Tour
East County News Service Nov. 25, 2025 (Warner Springs) — The community of Warner Springs will open its proverbial doors next month and offer the public an unprecedented look inside its architectural soul. Six private historic adobe homes — some dating back to the 1890s — will be part of the community’s inaugural Holiday Adobe Home Tour &
Supervisors discuss future housing and development in unincorporated county
By Paul Levikow Photo: map shows targeted areas to be prioritized for housing November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – With San Diego County experiencing a housing crisis, the Board of Supervisors held a workshop Wednesday aimed at finding solutions for the unincorporated areas, including several in East County. The Valle de Oro/Casa de Oro neighborhood was identified as being positioned
Board of Supervisors to discuss land use on Nov. 19
East County News Service Nov. 14, 2025 (San Diego County) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is continuing a critical conversation about the future of housing and development in the unincorporated areas of the county, including Spring Valley, Lakeside and Casa de Oro. The Board of Supervisors will discuss land use legislations at its meeting at
New affordable housing for veterans headed to Mission Gorge Road
By Anita Lightfoot, County of San Diego Communications Office Video by José Eli Villanueva November 6, 2025 (San Diego) – A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for The Grant at Mission Trails, a 48-unit affordable housing development dedicated to current and former military members and families. Located in the Grantville neighborhood on Mission Gorge Road, the seven-story project will have
County rejects supporting statewide ban on foreign investment in homes
By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Supervisor Jim Desmond sought to restrict foreign investors from buying homes and driving up prices. October 23, 2025 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week rejected a proposal by Supervisor Jim Desmond to support statewide bans or restrictions on foreign investment in entry-level and single-family housing, particularly when located near
County approves negotiations to buy land for Troy Street Sleeping Cabins in Lemon Grove
By Paul Levikow Image, left: Rendering of Troy Street Sleeping Cabins Project October 22, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to approve negotiations with Caltrans to purchase land for the Troy Street Sleeping Cabins Project in Lemon Grove, after hearing comments overwhelmingly in opposition from residents and two City Councilmembers. The project plan calls for
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PARDEE HOMES DONATES $5,000 TO SANTEE SANTAS FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED
December 23, 2013 (Santee) – As part of its commitment to the communities in which it builds, Pardee Homes announced on December 18 a $5,000 contribution to the Santee Santas Foundation to purchase food, toys and flowers for local families and seniors this holiday season. The grant, made possible through Pardee’s parent company, Weyerhaeuser, will help support the Santee
TOP TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY DURING THANKSGIVING
November 27, 2013 (San Diego) – The holiday season isn’t all twinkling lights and home-baked pies. Did you know that household hazards and preventable damages peak significantly in the holiday season? For example, on average, there are three times more turkey fryer claims during the holiday season than any other time of the year. The median cost for turkey
HOMES NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS IN ALPINE HOME TOUR
November 14, 2013 (Alpine) – For the past 8 years the Alpine Woman’s Club has sponsored “Christmas in Alpine” Home Tour. However, as of October, the group has only one house for this year’s tour. “This fundraiser helps to provide scholarships that we give away each year. Since 1950 the Alpine Woman’s Club has given away more than $95,000
CITY COUNCIL VICE MAYOR ALESSIO TO MEET WITH PACIFIC SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS TODAY
November 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council Vice Mayor Kristine Alessio will meet with members of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) starting at noon today at the PSAR East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. Topics will include an update on new projects in La Mesa, new development opportunities in La Mesa, the
ENERGY DEMONSTRATION HOUSE IN SANTEE SAVED 49.9% ON ENERGY COSTS
Photo by Erik Hauenstein November 6, 2013 (San Diego) – An “Energy Demonstration House” featured on the San Diego Sustainability Tour in September has generated 49.9% in energy savings for the homeowners. This ‘Clark Kent’ of households was transformed into an energy super-hero to showcase the simply things homeowners can do to slash energy costs and live more
HISTORIC HOMES TOUR SATURDAY IN LA MESA
The La Mesa Historical Society hosts its 8th Annual Home Tour November 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Look out Ranch and Morningside tracts features up to seven beautiful, and historic, homes of La Mesa, including the Society’s recently restored McKinney House. Some of the homes are older than the city of La Mesa. The Society will
ENVRIONMENTALISTS WEIGH CHALLENGE AFTER SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APROVES CASTLEROCK PROJECT AND TRANSFER OF LAND TO SANTEE
By Nadin Abbott September 17, 2013 (San Diego)—The San Diego City Council voted 7-0 to approve the controversial Castlerock housing project on the border of Santee and San Diego. The resolution proposed by Council Member Scott Sherman (District 7) and Council Member David Alvarez (District 8) reads in part, “approve the Staff’s recommendation (Annexation being the preferred scenario).” It
CASTLEROCK PROJECT TO BE HEARD BY SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 16
Environmental concerns, conflict of interests by Lightner raised By Miriam Raftery September 16, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego’s City Council will hold a hearing today at 2 p.m. on the controversial Castlerock housing project. The project is proposed by Pardee Homes near the boundary between Santee and San Diego. The Planning Commission previously recommended annexing land for
SOLAR HOMES TOUR SEPT. 21 INCLUDES EAST COUNTY HOMES
September 15, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–The non-profit San Diego Renewable Energy Society’s 13th San Diego Sustainability Tour features free, open house tours of 10 energy-smart homes showcasing the gamut of energy efficiency and solar solutions San Diegans are employing to slash utility bills, power their electric vehicles (EVs), improve property values and reap rich tax credits and cash
EARTHTALK®: GREEN HOME RENOVATION
September 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Dear EarthTalk: I’m planning a major home renovation and want to include as many green-friendly features as possible. Where do I begin to look? — Matthew Glaser, Queens, NY There has never been a better time to renovate green, given the abundance of Earth-friendly building material choices
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues