[Timely]

Should I say I live in Detroit even if I don't technically live "in" Detroit? I am in Highland Township about 35 miles North.

[detwahDJ]

Originally Posted by Timely

Should I say I live in Detroit even if I don't technically live "in" Detroit? I am in Highland Township about 35 miles North.

You have probably noticed that people often say they're from Detroit even if they're from the AREA. Detroit is not just the city limits. Some people are proud of the influence it has had on the world, others are not.
If you think about it, Detroit really consists of its borders, its migrations, its economic reach, its influence. This is growing by the way! Check this out:
Cities: Capital for the New Megalopolis - TIME
It would also depend upon distance - If you're in Milford or Holly you wouldn't say I'm from Detroit, but in L.A. you could get away with it. Kid Rock says he's from Detroit and gets no argument. If you feel "connected" at all, go for it!

[canudigit]

I live about 35 southwest of Detroit, and I don't say that I'm from Detroit, not because I'm ashamed of it, because I actually think it's kind of cool to be from Detroit, but because I'm just not technically from Detroit. If I say that I'm from Detroit then the next thing you know, people are asking about places and things that I know nothing about and assuming that I do. "So, is Slows BBQ open late during the week?" "If I take Grand River to Livernois and turn right, will that take me to such and such neighborhood?" Huh???? That kind of thing, and I have no idea.

My husband sometimes tells people that he's from Toledo, since we are actually closer to that city, which makes me cringe, lol. I'd much rather be identified with Detroit and all that that conjures up, both good and bad, than to be identified with Toledo.

[detwahDJ]

Maybe you should just cite the nearest town!

[Timely]

Usually when asked I say I live in Oakland County.

[us66]

If you are proud of Detroit in some way, then by all means go ahead. On vacation, however, I'm sick of hearing "I feel sorry for you" and "things must really be tough there nowadays" whenever someone asks where we are from, so I usually say we live near Windsor, Ontario. Windsor may be the armpit of Canada but not too many people in America know that. The one exception to this rule was when we were in the Hamptons last year; there, we were from "just north of Grosse Pointe;" they still know Grosse Pointe there.

[chiroptera]

My thought is...unless you live in the city of Detroit, you're not really being truthful by telling people you live in the city. Why not "the Detroit metro area" or something like that?

Personally it depends on who's asking, for me. If it's someone from the area who knows all the smaller cities, I'll say I live in Mt Morris. If it's someone who doesn't know the area, I say "just north of Flint" because everyone knows where Flint is but few non-residents can point out Mt Morris on the map. I have to admit that when I lived in Flint for almost 6 years, I disliked telling people that because of the comments and preconceptions about the city....Flint doesn't have the "gritty coolness quotient" that Detroit does!

I would definitely prefer to ientify with Detroit than with Toledo. Or Gary IN. Those are some miserable cities. I've done "urban spelunking" in both.

[detwahDJ]

Grosse Pointe has had some publicity so people know about it. If you say you're from a nice suburb like, say, Huntington Woods people will ask "where's that?" Then you have to explain!
What if someone commutes to the Detroit area on business, would that make a difference?
I'm so confused!!