In the years around 2008 thousands of Tijuana's elite bought houses in and moved to Eastern Chula Vista escaping violence, kidnapping and other crime taking place during that period in the Mexican metropolis only a few miles away. The Los Angeles Times wrote, “So many upper-class Mexican families live in…Eastlake…and Bonita…that…the area is becoming a gilded colony of Mexicans, where speaking English is optional and people can breathe easy cruising around in their Mercedes-Benzes and BMWs." In late 2018, a new Rapid bus route was created, taking passengers from the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, through Eastern Chula Vista, and then into Downtown San Diego.