At first, I thought Fullerton was just an ordinary neighborhood in Orange County.

It's next to Buena Park and close to Anaheim, and since there are quite a few Koreans living there, I assumed it was just a typical residential area.

However, as I learned more, I discovered that it's a city with a lot more to offer than I expected.

Fullerton is located in the northern part of Orange County, with a population of about 140,000.

Just north of it is LA County, and nearby cities include Buena Park, Brea, Placentia, and Anaheim.

So, its location is really quite good. It's easy to access the I-5, 91, and 57 freeways, making it convenient to head toward LA or down to Riverside or southern Orange County. Of course, being in Southern California, traffic during rush hours is unavoidable.

Having a train station in Fullerton is also a plus. Not only does it serve Metrolink, but the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner also stops there. It's surprisingly convenient to take the train to LA or San Diego from what seems like a car-dependent area like Orange County.

Fullerton was established in the 1880s with the development of the railroad. Initially, agriculture, including oranges, lemons, and walnuts, was important, and later the oil industry grew, contributing to the city's expansion.

One of the most interesting aspects of Fullerton's history is its connection to guitars. If you love electric guitars, you might know that Leo Fender started his business right in Fullerton. The history of Fender guitars is deeply intertwined with this city, so it's not surprising to hear Fullerton referred to as a music city.

Another key point about Fullerton is its schools. There's Cal State Fullerton and Fullerton College. With so many college students around, the atmosphere is quite different from a completely quiet bedroom community. The areas around the universities have a high demand for apartments and rentals, and naturally, restaurants and cafes that attract young people have developed.

Visiting downtown Fullerton gives a different vibe. With its old buildings, restaurants, cafes, and bars, it draws a decent crowd in the evenings and on weekends. While many suburban cities in Orange County quiet down at night, downtown Fullerton has its own charm for exploring.

It's also a decent place for families to live. There are many quiet single-family home neighborhoods, and parks like Hillcrest Park and Craig Regional Park are great for walks or outings with kids. The weather is, of course, pleasant. Summers can be hot, but compared to areas with high humidity, it's bearable, and winters are quite mild.

Home prices can no longer be considered cheap. Fullerton has seen significant increases in housing prices, and purchasing a decent single-family home requires a substantial amount of money. Still, people continue to consider Fullerton for its location, educational environment, and convenience within Orange County.

From a Korean perspective, living here is more comfortable. There are Koreans living in Fullerton, but you can easily access Buena Park as part of the same community. It's not hard to find Korean restaurants, markets, hospitals, academies, and churches. There's no need to travel far to LA's Koreatown just to enjoy Korean food.

So, I think Fullerton is a city that reveals its advantages as you live there, more than what you might see at first glance.

It's not an extravagant tourist city, nor is it a completely quiet suburb. There are universities, a historic downtown, a rich musical history, and a large Korean community nearby.

Above all, its location between LA and Orange County makes it quite convenient to get around.

Initially, I thought, "What's so special about Fullerton?" But the longer I look into it, the more I understand why people settle down and stay here for a long time.