To those who aren't from there, "Da Region" is just a place defined by atrocious traffic, endless strip malls, "scenic" refineries and diverse cultures. While all of this is true, it is also a wonderfully unique place filled with some of the best festivals (Pierogi Fest, hello), tastiest restaurants and most interesting communities in all of the Midwest. The major bonus of being a "regionite," though, is that you have easy access to all that Chicago has to offer, but you can come home and pay Indiana taxes. It's true, the Region can be mind-numbingly boring sometimes and you often feel like you actually do live in "the armpit of America," as defined by Region-critics. But admit it- you wouldn't have it any other way. Sure, escaping the 219 for any amount of time has its perks and downsides. You just experience so many differences between the Region and everywhere else. You always remember one very important thing, though, no matter where you end up: "You can take the rat out of the Region, but you can't take the Region out of the rat."
1. You correct everyone who terms the oh-so-popular bean bag toss game as "corn hole." It's obviously just called "bags."
Duh.
2. Driving on the expressway is no longer your worst nightmare.
Nothing is worse than northbound I-65 during rush hour. Except for maybe 80/94.
3. Speaking of driving, you no longer have to worry about wrecking your vehicle due to massive potholes.
Which, of course, leads to massive savings on tires. Praise.
4. You start telling people you're from Chicago when they ask. I mean, you pretty much are.
It's just easier.
5. You no longer get the absolute pleasure of stuffing your face with Portillo's, the Holy Grail of food institutions.
Quite possibly the most depressing item on this entire list.
6. You still celebrate "219 Day." You obviously can't forget about your roots.
It's only the best day of the year.
7. You can go to a mall and not experience exhausting road construction.
At least it's not Mississippi Street. *Shivers*
8. You often forget that there are other sports teams out there besides the Chicago teams.
Chicago sports are the best, anyway. That's all you need to know.
9. You don't have to worry about hitting one of the hundred teens playing Pokemon Go while driving around the square.
The biggest relief on Earth.
10. No one understands your over-excitement when you catch the clock at 2:19.
Area code pride.
11. Nothing gets you more excited than making a new friend and finding out they're also a Region Rat.
Instant BFF.
12. No matter where you go, you still hate Mike Pence.
Need I say more?
13. Others respect you because you saw Johnny Depp filming in Crown Point.
"I saw him. Actually I saw his trailer. Which was 400-feet away. But still."
14. You miss the Snapchat filter, even though it wasn't visible on your pictures most of the time.
Being geographically important on Snapchat was dope.
15. You actually can turn on the news and not see 90 percent of it being about Chicago.
You obviously miss ABC 7, though.
16. People ask you why you're not a Colts fan, even though you're from Indiana.
Bear down always.
17. You are 99 percent less likely to be stopped by a train.
Commutes suddenly don't make you want to pull your hair out.
18. You have lemon rice soup withdrawals.
Nowhere else serves lemon rice as good as the Region. Period.
19. You have to get used to Eastern time. Ugh.
Central time is better.
20. You never find a place as uniquely interesting as the Region.
You couldn't quite describe it. But it kept you on your toes.
21. You regret not going into the city as much as you should have.
The South Shore line should have been your lifeline. But you were too lazy.
22. You don't have to worry about lake-effect snow. Yay!
Which means winter is significantly less terrible.
23. You can tell everyone else scary stories about Reeder Road.
Being the campfire scary story master is your destiny.
24. You can go to a beach and not experience smokestack-ridden views.
Enough said.
25. As much as you hated living in the Region sometimes, you never ever hide your Region pride.
Region rat forever!
