Chicago is prone to many stereotypes due to the way our city is depicted in the media. To clear our name, we think there are some things everyone should know about us, because these are the things that make us great.

Don’t start making assumptions about Chicago before you read this list. Scroll on for 13 things we’d like to address.

1. We're the best!
Flickr/Timothy Neesam
If there's anything you should know about Chicago, it's that we're the best city in the world and we know it. From mind-blowing attractions to amazing restaurants and more, there's so much that makes us great. Click here for 16 reasons why.
2. Lake Michigan is as good as any ocean.
Flickr/Roman Boed
Like all the best places, Chicago is a port city that exists due to its proximity to a major waterway. Our section of this Great Lake affords us breath-taking views, fabulous beaches, and rolling waves. We can boat and swim without having to worry about salt, too.
3. We don't all care about sports.
Pixabay
We're very aware that Chicago is home to some of the greatest, most popular teams in the country, and most Chicagoans have probably even seen a game. But, unless a team is actually doing very well, some people could care less how many loses the Bears have suffered this year or how long it's been since the Cubs' last World Series win.
4. Even people from the suburbs say they are from Chicago.
Flickr/urbanfeel
If you're not actually in the city, there's a good chance that if you ask a Chicagoland resident where they are from, they'll just respond with "Chicago." It's just easier than going through the inevitable if you tell them you're from Burr Ridge or Evanston.
5. Green means go... NOW.
Max Pixel
One thing everyone should know before driving in Chicago is that paying attention to the street light is imperative. If you don't hit the gas within the first two or three seconds of it changing, you're going to get honked at. Fair warning.
6. We invented house music.
Wikimedia Commons/Bfgk
House music was born in 1977 on Chicago's Southside at a theatre called The Warehouse. The owner and DJ mixed disco with Euro pop for brand new beats that influenced a generation. We're still rocking it to this day.

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7. But not all of us like house music.
Free Stock Photos/Petr Kratochvil
Chicagoans are just as diverse as any other people, and our music interests are eclectic. Some of us would rather listen to rock and roll, country, R&B, or classical tunes.
8. We also don't all love deep-dish.
Wikimedia Commons/L. W. Yang from Los Angeles, California, USA
It's our signature pizza, but for some, it's just too much. These hearty pies pack layers of meat, cheese, and dough, topped with a delicious tomato sauce, and one slice is a whole meal. Just like most of the country, there are many Chicagoans who prefer thin crust instead.
9. We are beer snobs.
Wikimedia Commons/Paul Joseph
Chicagoans love to drink local beers. It just tastes better to drink something that's fresher because it was made nearby. There are dozens of breweries around Chicagoland, and many of them brew spirits that are so good they're sold in stores.
10. There are ways to live here cheap.
Wikimedia Commons/SilverRaven7
For a city, Chicago is actually a cheap place to live. You'll still pay a pretty penny compared to smaller cities and towns, but you can definitely find affordable neighborhoods near enough to downtown that you can get there by train in no time.
11. There are also ways to vacation here cheap.
Flickr/Christine Rondeau
Stay in a hostel, Airbnb, or a cheap hotel like the Best Western, and you'll have plenty of money left over to afford food and drinks. The city is even full of free attractions, and it's easy to find deals and discounts for museums.
12. We're the "city in a garden."
Wikimedia Commons/Amerique
That's our motto, and we stick to it well. Chicago is home to numerous parks with trails, picnic areas, and more. Unlike some places that keep all their green space in one spot (looking at you, New York City), the nature preserves and parks here are found everywhere!
13. We're much more than a crime city.
Wikimedia Commons/Zol87
This list proves it. Chicago has become famous for its crime rate over the years, but we think everyone should know that it's not all guns and gangs here. Most of Chicago is very safe to travel in and live.

You should also know that we do some crazy things here. Check out 13 things Chicagoans do that seem insane to everyone else.

What else do you think everyone should know about Chicago? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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