# Born in major city, but never lived there, but lived in a nearby city as a child. Where am I "from"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 20, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149 "2011-06-20T14:02:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/1 "2011-06-20T14:02:30Z")

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I was born in a city that is, most likely, recognized worldwide. I, however, never lived there. My parents were living in a nearby (\<5 miles away) city that is much less famous, and went into the city to use a hospital there due either to their insurance wanting them there, or because there may not have been a real maternity ward in the smaller city back then because it was so close to a major city. I lived in that smaller city with my parents for some time, then we moved away.

Which city am I “from”? I’m approaching this from a colloquial, social perspective. For legal purposes, my “Place of Birth” is the city I was actually born in, no question about that, and I put that on legal documents that request it. In real life, I have used both. For example, sometimes when I am in the “large” city today, I introduce myself as being originally from there.

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**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/2 "2011-06-20T14:12:13Z")

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I think it’s whatever feels right for you. When I’m asked what city I’m from, I usually say the one that I first moved to at the age of 9. My problem is that my earliest memories are of a city that’s not in the country that I was born in, so it doesn’t feel right to say either the city of my birth or the city that I lived in between the ages of and 9.

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/3 "2011-06-20T14:21:52Z")

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“A suburb of Chicago,” is my answer when asked by Americans. When asked by foreigners, I usually say, “Chicago,” but I feel like I’m lying a bit. I do live in Chicago _now_, but I grew up in a 'burb; when I say I’m from Chicago, I feel like I’m claiming I knew how to ride the CTA as a wee tot (I didn’t take a bus until I was 28!) and grew up in a multicultural environment (I didn’t.)

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**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/4 "2011-06-20T14:26:50Z")

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What would Jesus do? He certainly wasn’t referred to very often as “Jesus of Bethlehem.”

The place you’re from is where you grew up. I’m not from the city was born in, because like you I never lived there. And I’m not really from the city I lived in after birth, because I lived there less than a year. So, either I’m from the city I lived in from ages 1-9, or the town I lived in from 10-18.

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**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/5 "2011-06-20T14:30:49Z")

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Yeah, it pretty much depends on the audience. I was born in Scotland, but don’t really tell people that unless it’s germane to the conversation. I grew up in southwestern Ontario and usually use the city there as my home town. However, I have lived in the Ottawa area for half of my life now, so sometimes that is where I’m _from_.

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**Author:** ![geneb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e4f/32.png) [@geneb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geneb)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/6 "2011-06-20T16:33:08Z")

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With the two choices being so close I doubt that there would be enough difference to really matter which you say. I’d vote for the smaller city 5 miles away since that’s where you grew up.

I’ve always had trouble with this question… I moved a lot as a kid. Generally once a year. As I result I never know what response I should give when I am, inevitably, asked where I am from. I usually say the most recent place prior to when I left for college.

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**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/7 "2011-06-20T17:30:38Z")

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If you were born in the back seat of the car on the highway en route to the hospital in the next town would you say “I’m from U.S. 74?”

I think what most people have in mind is where you have roots and/or where you lived most recently.

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**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/8 "2011-06-20T17:53:41Z")

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If you were from a well-known suburb of, say, Chicago (ferinstance, Joliet), you could say “I’m from Joliet, IL.” If you’re from an obscure suburb (ferinstance, Lake-in-the-Hills), you could just say “I’m from Chicago.”

I guess it depends on how much you feel like explaining to people.

ETA: A guy I went to college with, when asked where he was from, first started saying “Rochester, Illinois” and then would say “a suburb of Springfield” when asked further; then he evolved into saying “Rochester, Illinois - a suburb of Springfield”; finally he gave up and just started saying “Springfield, Illinois.”

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**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/9 "2011-06-20T17:58:27Z")

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I grew up in the suburbs of Boston (Go Bruins!) but was born at a Boston hospital. I’d tell casual friends/acquaitances I’m from the town I was raised in, strangers I’m unlikely to encounter again, especailly on a vacation, I say I’m from Boston.

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**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/10 "2011-06-20T18:06:53Z")

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As others have said, it really depends on the context.

For official forms, if it asks “Place of Birth”, I put down the small Pennsylvania town which had the hospital where I was born (but where I never actually lived).

For the vast majority of people, I simply say Philadelphia. If for some reason I want to give more details, I say “various suburbs of Philadelphia”.

In the very rare case that I’m actually talking to someone knowledgeable about the Philadelphia area, I may give specifics. (It’s rare because nowadays I live in California.)

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**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/11 "2011-06-20T18:10:25Z")

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My case is only a little more fuzzy. I was born on an army base while my father was stationed there. Both he and my mother were born and grew up in another state. After his stateside moving about to other bases, he went overseas and my mother and I moved back to her hometown until the war was over and Daddy joined us back there. Except for my “army brat” beginnings, by age three my early years were spent in a small town about 15 miles from a major city.

My birth certificate has the name of the base where I was born, but I was in my 40’s before I was ever there again, even on a visit. I consider myself from the state where my parents were from and where I spent my early years. I won’t even mention my birth state unless pressed or in some official context.

Your case is not as fuzzy, but I would still vote for the little town as opposed to the city.

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**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/12 "2011-06-20T18:30:40Z")

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> [@suranyi](#):
>
> As others have said, it really depends on the context.
> 
> For official forms, if it asks “Place of Birth”, I put down the small Pennsylvania town which had the hospital where I was born (but where I never actually lived).
> 
> For the vast majority of people, I simply say Philadelphia. If for some reason I want to give more details, I say “various suburbs of Philadelphia”.
> 
> In the very rare case that I’m actually talking to someone knowledgeable about the Philadelphia area, I may give specifics. (It’s rare because nowadays I live in California.)

Same, and same city. 🙂

I was born in Philadelphia, lived there for the first two months of my life, then moved to the suburbs. If I’m speaking with someone who doesn’t live in the area, I’ll say I’m from Philadelphia since they won’t recognize the name of my suburban town. If I’m speaking with someone in the area, I’ll give the name of my town.

I’ve also lived in Washington DC and this was my experience there, too. It was not at all uncommon for me to hear people say, “Oh, I’m from DC, too!” And when I asked them what part, they would say, “Well, actually, I live in Falls Church [or wherever].”

And actually, I didn’t live in DC, either. I lived in Greenbelt and then in Silver Spring (1 block from the District line, but still). But at that level of urban suburbia, it’s all much of a muchness. Same for my time in Brookline, an urban suburb of Boston.

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**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/13 "2011-06-20T18:30:49Z")

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You’re from wherever you say you’re from.

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**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/14 "2011-06-20T19:17:27Z")

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I was born in a Portland, OR, hospital, but lived my whole life in one of Portland’s satellite suburb cities. (That is, until I moved to California at 16.)  
I tell people I’m from either “the Portland area,” or “a suburb of Portland.” The ones that actually care, and there aren’t many, will then ask which one.

Now I live in San Jose, and not one of its suburbs. It’s easier. At least here, we all can use “Silicon Valley,” and people understand.

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**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/15 "2011-06-20T19:28:16Z")

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Place of birth? A certain city in California. Where I’m from? In the USA, it’s “Southeast Michigan.” For foreigners, it’s “Detroit.” For foreign employees of my employer, it’s “Dearborn.” And for coworkers here in Michigan, I’ll say the name of my town. In general I discount the being born in California as a fluke; my home is Michigan.

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [June 20, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/16 "2011-06-20T22:59:11Z")

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_From_ where-ever your heart _tells you_ you are from, you are.

Your feelings trust.

Know the truth, you will, when you are calm.

Guide you, the Force will, young padawan. Hmmmmmm.

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**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/17 "2011-06-21T02:25:01Z")

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It’s a relative question. When I participate in program-wide activities, I’m “from” the city where my office is located. When I participate in inter-agency stuff, I’m “from” the program I represent. On a multi-state deal, I’m “from” my current state. On a personal level, I’m “from” the place I grew up. On a watched too much old school pro wrestling level, I’m “from” Parts Unknown. 😃

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**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/18 "2011-06-21T03:30:49Z")

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I say, “I was born in city X” but “I grew up in city Y”. We moved from X to Y when I was 7. All of these, and most of the other places I’ve lived in, are sufficiently close to Toronto to be part of “the Toronto area” if I’m talking to someone from outside North America.

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**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/19 "2011-06-21T03:49:45Z")

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> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> I was born in a city that is, most likely, recognized worldwide. I, however, never lived there. My parents were living in a nearby (\<5 miles away) city that is much less famous, and went into the city to use a hospital there due either to their insurance wanting them there, or because there may not have been a real maternity ward in the smaller city back then because it was so close to a major city. I lived in that smaller city with my parents for some time, then we moved away.
> 
> Which city am I “from”? I’m approaching this from a colloquial, social perspective. For legal purposes, my “Place of Birth” is the city I was actually born in, no question about that, and I put that on legal documents that request it. In real life, I have used both. For example, sometimes when I am in the “large” city today, I introduce myself as being originally from there.

Sounds similar to myself. I was born in a large Western city, but we lived in a suburb. Then we moved to Arkansas when I was 2, as that’s where my mother was from. Then settled in Texas just before I turned 6. So I always say I’m from that place in Texas. That’s where my truly formative years took place, all of my schooling until graduate school. My passport specifically lists the state I was born in, since that’s the specific information required, but I would never consider myself “from” there. I don’t even remember it.

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**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149/20 "2011-06-21T04:23:04Z")

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> [@robert\_columbia](#):
>
> I was born in a city that is, most likely, recognized worldwide. I, however, never lived there. My parents were living in a nearby (\<5 miles away) city that is much less famous, and went into the city to use a hospital there due either to their insurance wanting them there, or because there may not have been a real maternity ward in the smaller city back then because it was so close to a major city. I lived in that smaller city with my parents for some time, then we moved away.

If I’m reading this correctly, you’re not from _either_ city - you didn’t live in the city where you were born, and you only lived for “some time” in the smaller city before moving away. Assuming “some time” was just a few years(?) that doesn’t really count either. If you lived the bulk of your childhood wherever you moved _next_, that’s where I’d say you’re from.

Though really, as others have said above, you can say whatever feels best!

[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-in-major-city-but-never-lived-there-but-lived-in-a-nearby-city-as-a-child-where-am-i-from/586149.md?page=2)