People come from all over the world to move to Tallahassee, Florida. Most come for the education opportunities, some for the state capital, and others for its unique weather conditions. But to a special, select group of humans who were fortunate enough to be born and raised here they are gifted a unique perspective to all Tallahassee has to offer.

1. An unusually high crime rate.

Most people don’t know that Tallahassee beats out cities like Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville for the highest rate of crime. For Tally natives, though, the sounds of sirens sang us to sleep each night and reports like the grandma down the street going postal and stabbing her infant grandchild were pretty regular.

2. The weather.

Now, I know all Florida weather is crazy, what with the freak hurricanes and weekly tornado watches. But something that is truly unique to Tallahassee—the humidity. No one ever gets used to it, not even locals, were just better at coping with it.

3. The hills.

Contrary to locale folklore there is way more than 7 hills in this town. While most out-of-towners are used to the flat city life, true Tallahasseeans are used to biking uphill both ways to get to their friend’s house or having to take frequent breaks on their neighborhood jogs.

4. Partying.

For lots of students, their first exposure to the Tally night life comes in their first years of college. For locals, their party expertise usually begins as early as 11^th grade. Even though everyone judges them for being out before their senior year, it is a secret rite of passage.

5. Failing businesses.

It seems that just when a cool new restaurant or store opens up its closed a few months later. This problem seems especially rampant in Tallahassee. Were just grateful that the actually amazing restaurants like Gordo’s and El Patron, aren’t going anywhere.

6. Horrible drivers.

While a lot of other cities claim to have the worst drivers in America, Florida’s capital truly has just cause. This is due in no small part to drivers from all over who come to FSU and act like merging into a lane wasn’t a requirement to get their license.

7. Being bored.

For all its glory, Tallahassee can also get boring. No one understands this better than locals, however, there’s always something you can find to do if you look hard enough.

8. Things being spread out.

Sure, you may be used to driving 5 minutes downtown, or taking one street up to get to the mall, but natives are fine with having everything so spread out, it gives plenty of time for car ride conversations.

9. Nature.

I’ve had people ask me why there are so many trees here more times that I can count. Nature is one of the greatest things about this city and no one’s appreciates it quite like locals. From field trips to Phipps park to 4th of July fireworks at Tom Brown park are just part of Tallahassee living.

10. Seeing local celebrities.

I don’t think that being star struck when you see Bobby Bowden ever really wares off but when you stand behind him in line as your order the same thing at Moe’s really helps.

While it’s not the prettiest or most attractive cities in America, neither are its residents and to this small groups of tally natives it’s something that it will never be to anyone else—home.