Where Are You From Should Not Be So Complicated
By Jim Bauer
@porwest (90118)
United States
November 7, 2023 3:22pm CST
Whenever I am asked where I am from, I typically say Wisconsin. I generally say that because at least in terms of years, it was the longest I lived anywhere. Plus, I have strong family ties there.
But the real answer is not quite as simple as that.
Part of it is that I am a navy brat for one. My dad retired as a Chief Petty Officer after 23 years of service. I am also a navy veteran myself, having served for four years on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) from 1992-1996.
I was born in Stratford, New Jersey in 1973. So, where have I lived? Here's the long version.
Jacksonville, Florida
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Iron Mountain, Michigan
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Chula Vista, California
San Diego, California
Edwardsville, Illinois
Meridian, Mississippi
Newport News, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (I returned after the service)
West Allis, Wisconsin
And now I am back in southern Illinois about 20 minutes from St. Louis. So, where are you from and where have you lived?
17 people like this
21 responses
@marguicha (222844)
• Chile
7 Nov 23
I have lived most of my life in the same country, in the same city and, thinking about it, in the same part of the city. That´s my nest.
3 people like this
@marguicha (222844)
• Chile
7 Nov 23
@porwest I have gone on holidays to many places. But in my country the city where I live is by far the biggest (over 7 million people) so it is the place to have a good education, museums and art.
3 people like this
@porwest (90118)
• United States
8 Nov 23
@marguicha I suppose that I have enjoyed being in many places in my lifetime. But I know once I got out of the navy having some roots and moving around less became more important. For example, before my wife and I moved here to Illinois I was in Wisconsin for about 18 years, and we have been in Illinois now for 10.
Now the only moving around we want to do is going different places with the camper and taking our little house with us.
2 people like this
@allknowing (136089)
• India
8 Nov 23
Even Gypsies change places.
As for me I have had just two States that I can say I have lived in. I live in India
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
7 Nov 23
I live in Arizona but I'm from the Midwest. After my divorce I headed back home for 8 years and it was great, although I missed my adult sons. Then my first grandchild was on the way so back I went. I am now back in Arizona. But I've lived in Florida, too, which I disliked even more than where I am now. Family makes anywhere a good place to live!
2 people like this
@porwest (90118)
• United States
8 Nov 23
It is hard for me to say "where I grew up," but I would call that Edwardsville, IL since I lived there the longest during my childhood, getting to Edwardsville probably sometime around 1983 or 1984, and I was there until I went into the navy in 1992. Edwardsville is about 40 minutes from where I live now.
I actually lived in a private subdivision about 9 or 10 miles outside of Edwardsville on a lake in a place called Holiday Shores.
To some extent I think I finally wanted some roots. After I got out of the navy I was in Wisconsin for 18 years and we've now lived in Illinois for 10.
2 people like this
. Well, not in the "city" but still in L.A . . . in the San Fernando Valley. Yes, I'm a Valley Girl, like fer sure fer sure 
.
@RebeccasFarm (89831)
• Arvada, Colorado
8 Nov 23
I rarely disclose all that information. But let's just say, I am from everywhere.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (89831)
• Arvada, Colorado
8 Nov 23
@porwest Yes and I have nothing to hide it just doesn't come up, and if someone gets too nosy, I ask them if they are writing a book? 
And be my guest anyone who wants to screw with me. They'll have a mighty big surprise waiting.
And be my guest anyone who wants to screw with me. They'll have a mighty big surprise waiting.
@just4him (317040)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Nov 23
I was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1953, moved to Steven's Point at age five, and then to Clintonville at age 7. From there, I have lived in San Diego, California, Guam, San Diego again, Streamwood, Illinois, Carpentersville, Illinois, Elgin, Illinois, Clintonville, Wisconsin, and back to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where I've lived since 1990.
1 person likes this
@porwest (90118)
• United States
8 Nov 23
You've been around to a few places too. Incidentally, when we lived in Green Bay we lived in a duplex on Velsen Road. I believe it was 905 or 909, but for some reason 905 stands out for me. Attended first and second grade at Hillcrest Heights. I wonder if that school is still there? I know the duplex is.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
8 Nov 23
I have always lived in Georgia. I grew up in a small town in north Georgia. Lived around that area until my children were about grown, then moved to a small town in middle Georgia for several years, then moved into the Atlanta area,and here I am.
1 person likes this
@porwest (90118)
• United States
10 Nov 23
@RubyHawk I can understand that. I mean, the one thing about moving all the time, especially when I was a kid, is that you were always the new kid in school, and even making friends seemed pointless at some point because you always had to say goodbye anyway.
@LindaOHio (178131)
• United States
8 Nov 23
I've always lived in Ohio. Was born in Cleveland; and I have moved steadily east since then. We are about 40 miles from Cleveland now.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (62185)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
8 Nov 23
Norfolk! And Newport News.
Anyway, I was born in Coeur d'Alene, lived in various cities in Oregon, Washington, CAlifonria and Tennesee as well as some time in the Carolinas and several cities here in Florida.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (62185)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
8 Nov 23
@porwest My step dads family is from there. I have spent more than my fair share of time in both Norfolk snd Newport News.
@porwest (90118)
• United States
8 Nov 23
Yeah, I was caught in the ship's overhaul and rehabilitation, and so when I first reported to the ship, that's where she was. Newport New Shipbuilding and Drydock company in drydock. We had a barracks of sorts a few blocks from the yards we called Huntington Hall. After some time I was moved to an apartment in Norfolk and of course we wound up at Pier 11 South in Norfolk once we finally got out of the yards.
Seems you've been a few places as well.
@casianjv (19)
• Tacloban City, Philippines
11 Nov 23
I have spent the most of my life in the same nation, city, and, when I give it some thought, same neighborhood. Although I adore my hometown, I would really like to have the opportunity to travel to another nation. But the travel expenses is big consideration.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471337)
• Switzerland
8 Nov 23
I was born in Milan (Italy). I lived there with my parents and the first 4 years of my marriage.
In 1975 we moved from Milan to Monte-Carlo (Principality of Monaco), where we lived (in the same apartment) during 31 years. We bought this house in Switzerland (Vacallo, Canton Ticino) in 1999, but we moved here to live permanently in 2006. Let's hope it's the end of our changes.
@xFiacre (12984)
• Ireland
7 Nov 23
@porwest It should be a simple question but when I’m asked I fumble about and whoever asked probably wonders why such a simple question should make me hesitate.
I was born in Belfast, the part of Ireland that voted to remain British, but I am an Irish citizen (with the right to a British passport). But most of my childhood was spent in Malawi and I’ve called France, India, the Netherlands home along with a few other places. So I settle with being a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.
@TheHorse (218548)
• Walnut Creek, California
8 Nov 23
Yep. Its a complicated question. I was an academic brat. I have lived in:
Illinois
Texas
California
Iowa
Indiana
Montana
Washington (State)
Did I forget anything?
Birth: Illinois:
Most years lived: California
States I've most enjoyed and identify with: Montana and Iowa
Most pretty girls kissed per years living there: Montana and Iowa
Most crimes committed against me per years living there, whether attempted muggings or "white collar" crimes: Illinois and California
Best food overall: California
@Deepizzaguy (102624)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
7 Nov 23
Born in Ancon Panama and lived my childhood in La Boca Panama until my relatives moved from Panama to live with relatives in Jefferson Louisiana and then in Metairie Louisiana from 1978-2009 and moved to Lake Charles in 2009 to live with other relatives after the passing of my parents.
@Beestring (14527)
• Hong Kong
8 Nov 23
I was born in Hong Kong and lived here most part of my life. I spent a few years in Canada.
