Very few of my 20-something and 30-something friends who live in the Valley are Arizona natives. The predominate group hails from Chicago. They originally came for college or new careers, and after one Phoenix “winter,” most couldn’t bear to leave. If you don’t knowingly run in circles of Chicago natives, then mingle with bar-goers in Old Town Scottsdale during any weekend. I can almost guarantee you that one out of every five handshakes will be with a diehard Cubs fan.
It strikes me that no matter where native Chicagoans may reside, they will always be “from Chicago.” Doesn’t matter if two decades have passed since they actually lived in the Windy City. If they were raised in Chicago, they’re self-proclaimed residents for life.
I don’t consider this viewpoint to be arrogant. I think hometown pride is innate to Chicago’s culture. Owning their titles is long-held tradition.
A Call for Valley Residents to Prep Their Vocal Chords
I wish more people here voiced their hometown pride. While many of us would have no problem broadcasting our love for the Valley from the top of Piestewa Peak, our collective pride doesn’t come close to rivaling the boastful nature Chicagoans are known for. Arizonans need to remember that we have a lot to brag about too. It took more than the promise of sunny days to lure hoards of deep dish devotees to a foreign desert, guarded by prickly pears and saguaros.
Let me start things off…
Folks in the Valley can hike on our lunch breaks, sustain a year-round tan and savor real Mexican grub on a daily basis. We’re a short drive from ski slopes, ancient ruins and infamous boom town saloons. Alice Cooper, Linda Carter and Sandra Day O’Connor all made their homes here.
And then to top it all off… we all get to bask in December’s sun.
What would you boast? Valley or other parts of AZ?
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I have to admit that I am guilty of this, and I’m the most heinous kind of Chicago braggart…I never even lived in Chicago. I’m from a tiny town in northwestern Illinois. It’s just much easier to say I’m from Chicago. My question is, how long must you live in Arizona to call yourself an Arizonan? As an Arizona resident of 3 years, I’m still not completely comfortable labeling myself as an “Arizonan.”
Best of luck with the blog. I’m looking forward to your future entries!
I travel a lot on business and, even though I have lived in Southern California for 25 years, when I’m on the road I still tell people, “I was born in Arizona”. This is especially true when I am in OR, WA or CO, where they have a really odd dislike of Californians.
I’m not sure what it is that they think we do that’s any different from what they do (Work, mow our lawns, take kids to soccer practice, etc.), but they sure act like we’re from another planet.
My brothers and I were all born in Phoenix, Mom and Dad came from small farming communities in southern Illinois. We are all still living here, yes, that’s unusual. My first husband and I travelled frequently, and when Ev Mecham was Governor and someone overheard you were from Arizona, they had a million questions to ask, didn’t matter what part of Europe, or the Carribean, or where ever, they had to ask what Arizona was REALLY like. Nearly missed a couple of flights trying to free ourselves from the inquireing minds.
Adrian has a point. When we were traveling in Italy in the summer of 2006, we were told the news about the Baseline Killer by our B&B host! Arizona makes the news most often for it’s bad news and offbeat politicians more than for the things we can actually boast about. And I’m guilty too; when I boast about our wonderful million-dollar whether in the cool months, my friends and family just moan with envy, then change the subject. Why? Because they still remember hearing me complain about the summer of 122!!
i was born in Maricopa County Hospital in Phoenix, and raised in Mesa. my father’s family has been in Arizona as far back as their geneology has been traced, and my mother hails from Caliente, Nevada but grew up in San Manuel. i have so much pride in my beloved state! i have lived other places and have come back, and i never want to live anywhere else again! go Arizona!!! i absolutely love my state and am sooo very proud to be from here!