Campo, California? need 411 ASAP

[SHU]

I was offered a job in Campo, California with the Border Patrol today. The person I spoke with about it said to call back tomorrow if was interested in taking the position so I guess that means take it or leave it tomorrow. I was wondering if some of you guys could give me the 411 on this place since a trip out there today is not gonna happen. From the looks of it on google map, I don't think my lady is going to live there, nor do I want to live that close to the border either quite frankly so I was wondering what options would I have as far as a reasonable commute from a nice locale like chula vista or something. On google maps it said 49 miles from CV. Is this doable on a regular basis? I think Campo is in the hills or something so I don't know about drive times in the hills. What is this place like? I'd guess a lot of smugglers move through there and maybe meth production so I guess it would not be boring. I would really be grateful for any info you guys could provide about my situation. Some of you know I took the test with the SDSD a while back but the hiring situation with them right now does not look very good for the short term at least. I was very impressed with the SDSD. I passed the test and I came away from the info session very impressed with the department and I wanted to wear the green and tan. Maybe some of you Deputies with SD could give me your impressions about Campo? I value your opinions. Thank you.

[shadowhaus]

A lot of departments are going into hiring freezes due to budget constraints. If someone is offering you a job I would take it, you can always go somewhere else later.

I commute 100 miles round trip a day so 49 miles is about average up here for a commute.

[Fuzz]

Campo, Boulevard, Portrero are all a short commute from eastern Chula Vista. The main road is Otay Lakes Road which is a two lane windy road that the bikers like to ride. It would not be that horrific of a commute as it is only about 30-35 miles from the eastern portion of the city( the 49 you found was probably from the center of the city)......take you maybe 30-40 minutes and there are no issues with traffic (unless there is a wreck closing the road or something like that). A big question would be what type of house or area do you want to live in. I know some people and coworkers that loved living out that way....but it is a different lifestyle. Lots of open land, nothing around, quiet,etc. If you or the wife need a populated area then eastern Chula Vista has grown tremendously in the last 5 years to include shopping centers, freeways, tons of houses, etc. With the housing issue going on it has been one of the hardest hit areas around so you might be able to get a deal on something. I dont think you would have a big problem commuting every day.....I ride a motor and that is a great ride...as long as you ride safely. Another thing you could do is use the Border Patrol gig as a way to get out here and establish yourself. Then....when SDSO is ready you can get picked up with them.

[1oldsarge]

It's in the foothills, fairly desolate on the Ca. side, however Tecate on the other side is a fairly large city. It should be a lot less crazy than Tijuana. There's a lot of human smuggling there, and they tend to get into pursuits that end in crashes. You shouldn't have a traffic issue with the commute.
Julian is 46 mi. to the North, great small town, and there's housing South of there.
With the economy, I'd sure consider it.

[511R]

Campo is a rough place for a "lady" to live, unless she's a farm girl or a desert rat. Lots of rocky terrain and brush, coyotes, rattlesnakes, etc.

If I worked in Campo, I'd think about living in Pine Valley, a small community just north of I-8. It's a very nice place to live, and it's only about 30 minutes into El Cajon, 40 to San Diego on the 8 freeway. The daily commute from Chula Vista on the 94 would be a pain; 2 lanes, lots of hills and curves, plenty of crashes. A morning crash might close the road for hours. Chula Vista is like a large San Diego suburb, whereas Pine Valley is a small, mountain-like community.

In either case, take the job if offered. A bird in the hand...

Best of luck!

[SHU]

Thanks everybody for the info. I mentioned CV as a possible location because of my better half. We both are born and raised in the city and although I think I might be able to get use to it, I know for sure she would not be happy, and you know what that means.. Also for her career, it would not work out in the hills. Thanks again for the information. And if you think of anything else let me have it.

[jato]

Campo is a resident post for the SDSO. As previously mentioned, the area is rural and has a decent volume of border traffic issues.

I would live in Alpine California (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpine%2C_California). It is about 30 miles from Campo, with most of the commute on the Interstate 8 freeway. Alpine would be a decent place to live. It is a town of about 15,000 people. It has services and is relatively close to larger cites like El Cajon and Santee. Alpine is unincorporated and patrolled by SDSO.

If you have any questions, feel free to call me. I will PM my cell number.

[willowdared]

I'm with Jato on this - it's quicker to Campo if you take Buckman Springs off the 8 freeway. Alpine would be a nice compromise.

There is a fairly new development out in Campo, so it's not all "ranch." :)

[SgtCHP]

Campo acually has some decent housing. Go here for a review of the region:

http://www.connectwithlife.com/ca-san-diego-county/campo.html

[SHU]

[QUOTE=Fuzz;1330018 A big question would be what type of house or area do you want to live in..[/QUOTE]

I wish I could afford a house with the prices falling nowadays but it seems everybody now wants you to put up a 25% down payment and I don't have it. Maybe down the road but right now I'd say a nice 1br apartment with off street parking. A garage would also be nice for my bike but I may end up selling it but if the gas prices keep going up I may only be able to afford driving the bike:confused:. So just a nice 1br with off street parking in a area with as little street crime as possible around CV. I would not mind living in Alpine or one of the other communities up there but I don't want my lady to have to drive all the way into the city every day since SD is most likely where she will be able to find a good job. I'd rather be the one with the longer commute to make things easier for her. Any idea what a nice 1 br in CV run me?

[willowdared]

In Chula proper? $1000ish

East Lake/Otay? $1500ish

There is more to commuting that what you see on the map, and the commute from South Bay into San Diego is not a skate in the park. Of course, there is always the trolley.

Did you take the job?

[SHU]

By the time I had a chance to get the speak to the better half about it, it was to late to call. Tomorrow morning I'm going to make the call. Now I just have reduce my life to one suitcase and jump on a plane next week.

East Lake/Otay? $1500ish HA! I thought I was going to save a buck out in La La land. Maybe Alpine is not so bad after all. Do they have a lot of wild fires there like I see on TV in CA?

[madchiken]

Campo Station was closed when the new station opened last month.

If you decide to live down south your commute to the Pine Valley Station is going to be about 15 minutes longer than the commute was before (45 min - 1 hour). If you live in El Cajon, Santee, or anywhere else off the 8, your commute will be 10 - 15 minutes less.

[willowdared]

We have a unique set of circumstances.

Because of the mortgage crisis, rentals are drying up, and Chula has been hit harder then most due to the explosive growth over the past 5 years. I think they have the highest foreclosure rate in the area.

Otay/East Lake apartments are all newer, and so the rents are higher.

I think the 8 corridor is really your best bet.

As for the wild fires - we got hit really bad last year. And 4 years before as well. We are in a long term drought out here - it's part of life in the west.

[SHU]

Madchicken is the new Pine Valley station right on I-8. When I looked at google maps the town of pine valley appears pretty far north of the town of Campo. Or is it sort of between the two towns? Either way it doesn't look like I'm going to be living on the south side of town now. An extra 10-15 minutes after a long day would get old pretty quick. Thanks for the tip.

[i8547]

The new Campo (Pine Valley) station is off of the 8, on Old Highway 80. Very nice new ($6M) facility. As suggested earlier, your best bet would be living out in the El Cajon, Santee, or La Mesa area if you require the closest thing to "big city" life that you could find in East County. I would suggest La Mesa personally. Your not dealing with the "pure" East County types and in relation to commuting to/from the station, you're as centrally located as can be while not being too far west.

Once you get past your probationary exams (or whatever it is that you guys on the new program go through), you can sign up for a van pool.

As far as CAO itself, its a great station to be at. You have your share of field work and checkpoint work, which is a good mix to have. You'll be working some of the roughest terrain that we have to offer in Southern California, which translates to fun for me and you will never be too bored when on the line because it is always busy; even if it doesn't seem like it. You'll also be able to relish in knowing you have the two best stations in SDC to your east (BLV) and west (ECJ). :D

In the meantime, concentrate on the 25mm target... making it to Sector Headquarters to Enter on Duty and then making it to and through the academy.

[SHU]

I have not posted in a while but I would like to thank you all for the tips and advice. I made it with a 85 average. This week I graduate from the USBP Basic Academy!!:D
On Thursday I start the 8 week Spanish training program :o and a personal goal of training for the 2009 New York Marathon.:D

[avalon42]

I have not posted in a while but I would like to thank you all for the tips and advice. I made it with a 85 average. This week I graduate from the USBP Basic Academy!!:D
On Thursday I start the 8 week Spanish training program :o and a personal goal of training for the 2009 New York Marathon.:D

CONGRATS!

[willowdared]

Yay! :)

Keep us posted when you get assigned.

[DagoStar]

Good job....now, "I need BP for two"