1. Everyone on social media complains about having nothing to do
Even though we are only a short train or car ride to Chicago, when the weekend comes all social media becomes filled with “The Region sucks” posts. I’ll admit, sometimes I wish I lived in a “cooler” place but being so close to one of the biggest cities in America definitely has its perks. Plus, besides the fact that it is close to Chicago, The Region has so much to offer. For a town in Indiana it is extremely urban and is not the typical “corn field” town everyone assumes when you say you are from Indiana. We could say we are from Chicago but we all know the real Chicagoans get offended so it’s better to admit we are from ‘the region’ and we all know we like it.
2. Target is the go to store
We all know The Region has a terrible mall, but that only makes the love for Target even stronger. There is one approximately every 2 miles so you don’t have to go very far to find one. From bathing suits to last minute themed party buys, Target has it all. Not to mention the ever so popular Starbucks inside. You can get whatever you need at Target and all at once. You are always bound to run into someone you know especially during sports seasons in high school or right before spring break hits.
3. Wells Beach is the closest thing to a tropical getaway
When school is out, this is the place to be. It is by no means a classy or tropical beach but it will do. Some of the best memories are made on the sand with the silhouettes of steel mills in the background. If you look close enough on a clear day you can just make out the Chicago skyline. Whether it is nice and clean on certain days or not, it is still a major Region staple and is responsible for some of the best summer memories.
4. People know your town by the geofilter on Snapchat
Since the “How are you a suburb of Chicago if you live in Indiana?” question is inevitable when telling someone from an Illinois suburb where you live, we now have our own identity. We are no longer just the towns surrounding Chicago but a group of towns that have quickly become known by many due to our geotag on Snapchat. Even living three hours away, people from out of the state know what The Region is by the fact that our towns are big enough to have a filter that can be used by anyone passing through. It’s a small step, but important none the less in establishing the Region as the important area we know it is.
5. You always want to come back
Whether you go to school 20 minutes away or a plane ride away, The Region is home and it always will be. Sure when you are living there for years it seems like all you want to do is get out. However, the minute you leave you realize how much it means to you and how much it really feels like home. The people, the places… all come together to build the perfect life setting. So if you live there now, don’t take it for granted because one day you may move away and, to your surprise, you’ll miss it like hell.
