Suburbanites: Where do you tell people that you are from? (Chicago: living, estimates)

[cubssoxfan]

Depends. When I'm downstate, IA, WI, MI, IN I say Arlington Heights and if I get a blank look I explain it's a NW suburb. Many people know Arlington Heights, especially because of the horse track. In Canada, TX or Europe I would say Chicago or Chicago suburb depending on how long I think the conversation is going to be(or how long I want it to go for)

[almost3am]

Well, when travelling out of the country I say "near Chicago", which is the only way for someone with only a general concept of the US to have a clue approximately where I live. When I lived in Milwaukee, I would say "Milwaukee" to blank stares, and I would have to say, "north of Chicago."

When I am travelling more locally I say a burb of Chicago, or maybe Naperville if I feel they know the Chicago area somewhat. My wife just says Naperville to everyone, then explains if she has to...maybe I am lazy that way.

I guess I will answer your poll and say "Chicago area/suburb"

[prinsessa]

When people ask where I am from I say Chicago because I am originally from Chicago (born and lived there for over 25 years). If people ask where I live I say Chicago burbs.

[noid_1985]

I was in Florida one year and I met a family who said they were from Chicago. I asked them what part of Chicago were they from and they said Rantoul (!?!?)

[ChicagoBurbs]

I like a lot of these answers. Personally, if I am downstate, in Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, or Michigan, I will say I am from the North Shore, or the northern suburbs of Chicago.

If I am out of the midwest I tell people I am from the Chicago area. I am considering saying something like "an hour north of Chicago," or "northern Illinois," because the last time that I was out of town I said the Chicago area and the people started questioning me about the violence that I encounter, which is terribly ignorant and something I would like to avoid.

If I am out of the country I will just say that I am from America, or something like that.

[Dncr]

I just say Chicago because...

1.) My parents live off the first exit on I-94 that's not in the city (Touhy)
2.) If I cross the street and walk 5 blocks, I'm in Chicago
3.) I live a little over a mile from the Edgebrook Metra stop and a little over a mile from the Yellow Line.

My friends from school came home with me one weekend (they're from Indiana and wanted to see Chicago) so I drove them to the Skokie-Edgebrook boarder and said we're here

[ChicagoBurbs]

Originally Posted by Dncr

I just say Chicago because...

1.) My parents live off the first exit on I-94 that's not in the city (Touhy)
2.) If I cross the street and walk 5 blocks, I'm in Chicago
3.) I live a little over a mile from the Edgebrook Metra stop and a little over a mile from the Yellow Line.

My friends from school came home with me one weekend (they're from Indiana and wanted to see Chicago) so I drove them to the Skokie-Edgebrook boarder and said we're here

Well, your profile says differently. It says 'Suburban Chicago'

[Alacran]

Born and raised in Chicago and now live in Maywood.

If they ask where I'm from I say i LIVE in Maywood.

I don't say I'm FROM maywood.

Maybe no one really notices the difference but I still say it even if it just to satisfy myself.

But yeah, everyone usually finds out one way or another I'm from Chicago. I rep that **** like crazy.

I can walk or ride a bike to Chicago anyway...

The neighborhoods mesh. No outsider would notice we're in a suburb.

[Alacran]

Simply having a Chicago address on your ID doesn't make you a Chicagoan.

[Northwest Indiana]

I am really liking the fact that this is not argumentative at all!!!!!!!!!!! (like I thought it would be) [hope I didn't speak too soon]