Forget small towns, Chicago was the best place to grow up in the world

While it would be almost impossible to mention every single neighborhood in Chicago individually, I can confidently say that no matter where you live, there’s something that sticks with you forever about coming from such a diverse and adventurous hometown. And I mean, who doesn’t love having embarrassing, but priceless, tourist-type pictures from their childhood?

Who wouldn’t have wanted to be friends with 2009 Jen?

You may be thinking that anyone from any hometown can say what I just said about Chicago, but, between your first trip to Navy Pier, to adventures in your own neighborhood, Chicago has a completely different character.

Peep my grandma and I on the merry-go-round at Navy Pier in good old 1997

It wasn’t until I started high school that I really started to appreciate the city, though. I went from going to the smallest Catholic grammar school ever on Addison and Panama, to going to Lane Tech on Addison and Western (which has 5,000+ people) 7.5 miles away.

*whispers to self ‘be fearless and bold for the myrtle and the gold’*

Taking the CTA every morning really changes you as a person. I saw some pretty crazy things, but I also made some amazing friendships on the Addison bus. Can I put that I memorized every street that intersects Addison on my resume?

One of the greatest facets of Chicago is that if you’re willing to pay your entire life savings for parking or take the bus all day, there’s really no way to be bored. Sure The Bean (which is apparently called The Sky Gate) and all the museums seem like tourist attractions, but they’re way more entertaining to visit if you actually know your way around the city. The first time I went to the beach with my friends in high school, the reason that that day stuck with me, was because it was amazing to admire the true natural beauty of the city.

Ahh old friend groups

Summer is by far the time where I’m most grateful for where I live. There are too many concerts and festivals to even count. If tickets weren’t even MORE expensive than parking, trust me I would be at all of them. Concert venues are not too difficult to come by in the city.

Throw back to seeing Lady Gaga at The United Center (which obviously changed my life)

I’m not going to ignore the major social and economic issues that Chicago has, yet there are so many progressive and positive groups and events that often go unmentioned.  I would hate to see a Chicago that loses its greatest people because it becomes too unsafe.

Choosing to go to a CPS high school (specifically a selective enrollment high school) was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. I’ve never experienced such talent and a community feeling, not even at my university. I may be biased because of the insane amount of people my school had, but I feel as though simply going to high school and growing up in a large city, exposes you to so many experiences that are not as obtainable in a small town.

I’ve always found it funny that when I tell certain people that I’m from Chicago, they automatically assume I live downtown, but in reality I live in one of the smallest neighborhoods ever. No matter how large or small or well known a Chicago neighborhood is though, there’s always something special about each one. If you live anywhere near me, places like The HIP mall, Chucho’s (the best place ever to eat in the summer), or Hiawatha Park are probably as dear to you as they are to me.

R.I.P. to the old swing set at Hiawatha Park and shout out to my amazing friend Dominique for the pic

On one last note, if you’re from the suburbs and not the actual city, just stop. Living 15 minutes away doesn’t count.