Mississauga is far more compelling then the bland expanse of subdivisions and mini-mansions that most people imagine when they think of the suburbs. It's a city not defined by its centre, but by the composite of its townships. See those towers in the distance, the ones that kinda look like tornadoes? That's Mississauga.

Here are 10 signs you grew up in Mississauga.

1. You appreciate that all buses eventually end up at Square One, and you refer to the City Centre neighbourhood as downtown, without irony.

2. You will decry anyone for not knowing that Pearson Airport is actually in Mississauga, not Toronto.

3. You are the only true 905 but when you first got a cellphone, you did your best to get a 416 number.

4. You've probably spent more time in Tim Hortons' parking lots than inside of one. You've also probably spent more time under bridges than you'd care to admit.

5. Despite living in a white-washed suburb, you probably have friends from almost every region of the world, and know how to cus in at least Polish and Tagalog.

6. You didn't appreciate the mega-screens and mini-put at Erin Mills Town Centre until they were gone.

7. You don't know where Oakville/Brampton begins, but you know where Etobicoke begins. You don't know where Lorne Park is. You know where 5 and 10 is.

8. The Train Derailment of 1979 is a thing of legend.

9. When you say you went to UofT, you don't voluntarily mention it was the Erindale Campus.

10. You know it as Sauga.

What signs did I miss? Add your suggestions to the comments.

Writing by Ramen Benyamin