Honestly, when I first heard the name West Covina, I didn't quite get it. It's not Koreatown, it's not Irvine, and it's not even close to downtown LA. However, as you live in this city and dig deeper, you quickly realize that it's not just an ordinary suburban town.

West Covina is located in the eastern part of the San Gabriel Valley, about 30 kilometers east of downtown Los Angeles. It can be accessed via the I-10 Freeway (San Bernardino Freeway) or SR-60 (Pomona Freeway), and it typically takes about 30 to 40 minutes by car. The area covers approximately 41 square kilometers (16 square miles), and as of 2024, the city has a population of about 106,000. It is an incorporated city within LA County, characterized by a practical and solid middle-class community atmosphere.

The history of this city dates back to 1923. At that time, the nearby city of Covina attempted to establish a sewage treatment plant in the area, which led to residents opposing it and ultimately founding West Covina as an independent city. One anti-sewage treatment plant movement gave birth to an entire city. Following World War II, a suburban housing boom occurred, and between the 1950s and 1960s, the population increased by a staggering 1,025% in just ten years. It was recorded as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States at that time.

Currently, the demographic composition shows that Hispanics make up about 53%, Asians about 29%, and whites about 35%. With a high percentage of Asians, various Asian communities coexist, including Korean, Chinese, Filipino, and Vietnamese. The median household income is approximately $101,000 as of 2024, which is above the average for LA County. The city has a balanced atmosphere, neither impoverished nor excessively wealthy, embodying the essence of the middle class.

The city's zip codes are divided into four areas: 91790, 91791, 91792, and 91793. The local area code is 626, shared with nearby cities in the San Gabriel Valley, such as Pasadena, Alhambra, and Monrovia. The official city website is westcovina.gov, and the city hall is located on W. Garvey Ave. South. The operating hours are Monday to Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

In terms of living infrastructure, it is quite solid. The large shopping mall Plaza West Covina features stores like Macy's, JCPenney, and Nordstrom Rack, along with the Eastland Center. The medical infrastructure is also well-established, centered around the Emanate Health Queen of the Valley Hospital, with several medical facilities available. The educational environment is managed by the West Covina Unified School District (WCUSD), and higher education institutions such as Cal Poly Pomona, Azusa Pacific University, and Mount Sac Community College are easily accessible nearby.

The transportation environment is relatively convenient. Thanks to the I-10 and SR-60 freeways running through the city, traveling to downtown LA or towards Ontario and Riverside is easy. Public transportation is operated by Foothill Transit, which uses West Covina as a hub, and there are express routes directly to downtown LA. However, be prepared for traffic congestion on the I-10 during rush hours.

As the nickname City of Trees and Homes suggests, West Covina aims to be a livable place rather than a flashy one. It is a viable option for those who want to avoid the complexities and high living costs of LA while enjoying a family-oriented lifestyle in an Asian-friendly environment. Initially, I thought it was just a place to pass through, but living here, I realized that many things can be resolved right here.