When you ask a Korean living in LA or OC, "What do you think of Calabasas?", they usually fall into two categories.

Those who have never been there but know the name, and those who say, "Isn't that where the Kardashians live?" trying to act like they know.

It feels close yet far, familiar yet strange. On the map, it seems just around the corner, but to actually get there, you have to drive up the 101 for quite a while, and even though there's not much to see, good houses easily go for over five million dollars.

This is a place where only "those in the know" live. Of course, the house prices are astonishing. Spacious homes on the hills, quiet streets where you could drive a golf cart, and a visual that screams "this is what a wealthy neighborhood looks like" are definitely present. But strangely, it lacks vibrancy. There's no youthful energy of surfing and drinking beer like in Manhattan Beach, nor the cinematic symbolism of Bel Air.

It feels like a place where wealthy people have retreated to escape the complexities of the world. These days, neighborhoods that people say "everyone is flocking to" all have their stories, but Calabasas oddly lacks such narratives.

It's neat, quiet, and tidy, yet at some point, you start to wonder, 'What is there to do here?' So when someone asks, "Is it a nice place to live?" the answer is ambiguous. The safety is good, the schools are good, and the air is good, but there doesn't seem to be any cafes or interesting commercial areas worth visiting.

For those who "hate noise and love peace," it would be paradise, but for those who enjoy vibrant city life, it might feel a bit dull.

It has the atmosphere of a community where CEOs of large corporations, celebrities, and retired businesspeople live while raising dogs behind sturdy fences.

So the conclusion is, "It is a wealthy neighborhood, but not one that flaunts its wealth." It feels more like a quiet, low-key drama setting. Strangely, the scenery here reminds me of the show Weed.

With calm lawns, lazy sunlight, and seemingly perfect families. However, beneath the surface, there are adult stories brewing, and beneath the surface, desires, problems, and bittersweet realities simmer.

While the show Weed was set in Santa Clarita, this suburban atmosphere naturally brings Calabasas to mind as well.

It's quiet and pretty, yet has that unique suburban air that suggests there might be secrets. Ultimately, the charm of this neighborhood is its "impressive stillness."

It is far from the flashy shopping, food, and hustle that Koreans love. Yet it's not clearly a family-centered community like OC, nor does it have the refreshing ocean views of Malibu. Just neatly arranged houses within mountains and fences.

So it is a wealthy neighborhood, but it feels like a "quiet vault" where you don't really smell money.

It's perfect for retired wealthy people to stretch out and live, but it's a bit far from the typical coffee gatherings and shopping routines of ordinary Korean housewives.

In simple terms, it's a neighborhood that feels close yet far. It might be nice to visit and even better to live in, but it's ambiguous whether there's a reason to move there.

If you hate noise and wealth and find peace in quiet living, then Calabasas might look like paradise.

But for ordinary people like us, it's just a nice place to drive to on the weekend, feel the breeze, and think, "Oh, this is what this neighborhood is like."

It's stylish but lacks a sense of everyday life, accessible but far from feeling like home. That's the kind of distance I think Calabasas has.

And if you happen to go this way, be sure to stop by the Camarillo Premium Outlets. It's a popular outlet that people in Southern California often visit on weekends. It's quite large and has many brands, so you can easily spend a whole day there.

From popular brands like Nike, Coach, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and Lululemon to various everyday clothing and shoe stores, it's fun just to go shopping. There are about 150 to 160 stores in total.

The layout is not complicated and it's outdoor, so it's nice to walk around on a sunny day, but in the summer, the sun can be strong, so it's good to bring a hat or water.

There are places to eat, so if you get hungry, you can quickly grab something at the food court or chain restaurants and continue shopping.

The parking lot is spacious, but it can get quite crowded on weekend afternoons, so you might have to walk a bit. In summary, it feels like "a classic outlet that you should visit at least once if you live in California," and if you time it right during the discount season, you have a good chance of finding great items.