Renters vs. homeowners: who actually knows this city better?

I moved to Logan Square two years ago and a lifelong Chicagoan told me I was 'doing it wrong' by relying on Google Maps for everything. She said real locals learn the bus routes and alley shortcuts, not the main drags. Now I'm torn, because my renter friends explore every neighborhood for happy hours, but my homeowner friends only know their block and their commute. Does having a mortgage here actually make you more invested in the city, or is renting the real way to see it? Curious what this group thinks after being here a few seasons.

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the_robin6d ago

Having a mortgage doesn't really make you more invested, it just ties you to one spot longer so you stop wandering. Honestly the whole "real locals know alley shortcuts" thing is a bit of a myth too, plenty of people born here just take the same three routes their whole life. Renters usually know more neighborhoods but homeowners know their one block down to which neighbor's dog barks at what time.

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