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Area codes aren’t a big deal everywhere — Montana, for instance, which only has one area code for the entire state: 406. But in tightly-packed urban areas (and amidst the attendant sprawl that surrounds them), area codes tend to slice and dice cities into a half-dozen pieces, each of which represents a lifestyle, because in many big cities, you are where you live.
Even in our increasingly post-landline era, area codes still mean something. In Los Angeles, the tony Westside, Beverly Hills and Malibu are 310, the oft-ridiculed San Fernando Valley is 818 (filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson’s three films set in the Valley — Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love and Boogie Nights — are sometimes referred to as his “818 trilogy”) and since 1997, 626 is the Valley as well. 213, the original area code which once covered the entire city — and much of Southern California when it was first put into use in 1947 — now only covers downtown and large swaths of South-Central LA. (Pictured above: Snoop Dogg’s first group, 213; 310-themed bling.) 818 and 310 were created in 1984. 323 is Hollywood and its environs.
Just one number away from 213, 212 is New York City’s original area code, bestowed upon the city that never sleeps because it’s the fastest three-number combination you can dial with a rotary phone. Today, only part of Manhattan retains the 212 area code, which is a mark of old New York pride among those who have it. 917 is the other code most associated with New York, and was created when cell phones started becoming popular to specifically service wireless and pager numbers. (A 1996 court order forced the expansion of 917 to service other types of phones as well.) I have friends here in Los Angeles who moved here from New York years ago, but staunchly refuse to give up their 212 or 917 cell phone numbers.
What about your area? Are there any stigmas attached to or assumptions made about the area codes where you live?
In Kentucky, our area code, 859, spells out UKY on the keypad for the University of Kentucky.
posted by Dan on 12-2-2008 at 12:51 pm
I currently live in Baton Rouge Louisiana, but am from New Orleans, in which the area code is 504. Alot of southern rappers will rap about the 504 and often when people ask someone who is from New Orleans where they are from, they will often reply, “the 504″
posted by Kaitlyn on 12-2-2008 at 1:05 pm
709 Newfoundland (the most eastern province of Canada). Natives and Foreigners alike will associate it with Mountains, Trees, Ocean breezes, and friendly, hospitably people.
posted by Tonya on 12-2-2008 at 1:08 pm
I’ve noticed a similar thing with airport codes — I’m from Sarasota, Florida, which locals often refer to as “SRQ,” which is the local airport code. The same is true (to a lesser extent) in Portland, Oregon — known by some as “PDX.”
posted by Ransom Riggs on 12-2-2008 at 1:15 pm
I moved from NJ where the pizza joint around the corner had a different area code, to Montana which has only one. When I first moved here I would always give my phone # as 406-then the number. What a dork I sounded like. In fact, in my town, you don’t even give the first 3 number of the phone number. When someone asks for your digits, you just give the last four. Because everyone pretty much has the same prefix. LOL
posted by qt314159265 on 12-2-2008 at 1:17 pm
The 253 (Tacoma/Pierce County, Washington) area code gets a lot of tattoo and t-shirt love around here.
posted by Cara on 12-2-2008 at 1:18 pm
I got hoes in different area codes.
posted by Anonymous on 12-2-2008 at 1:18 pm
Here in Atlanta, we have three area codes. The original is 404. In the early 90s, 770 was added for numbers outside the perimeter (I-285) and all the 404 numbers there switched over. Finally, when cell phone use became widespread, a 678 area code was created without any times to location.
The original 404 area still has some cache for residents who live within the perimeter. When I finally purchased a cell phone, I made sure I was assigned a 404 number.
posted by Tim on 12-2-2008 at 1:25 pm
Growing up in 302 Delaware, I wasn’t aware there were such things as area codes until late high school when I made friends with a few 610 Pennsylvanians.
My parents who have both lived in Delaware their entire lives, still don’t have to dial more than seven numbers to call most of their friends.
posted by Lauren on 12-2-2008 at 1:50 pm
we refer to Rochester, NY as “the 585″, since 585 covers all of Rochester and the surrounding suburbs. Buffalo, which is an hour drive west, is 716, and Syracuse, which is an hour drive east, is 315. We derogatorily call anyone living just east of the edge of Rochester’s suburbs “315ers” - which has come to mean the same as hick or redneck
we also use our airport code quite a bit when describing Rochester - much more so than area codes - because we were blessed with a good one - ROC - so most of the younger crowd especially refers to our city as “The Roc” or “Roc City”
:)
posted by Clotho on 12-2-2008 at 1:50 pm
I like in the Tulsa area code (918) part of Oklahoma. The big thing now is “Don’t Hate the 918″. It is all over t-shirts, back packs, etc.
posted by Avery on 12-2-2008 at 1:53 pm
It has always been about the 313.
Respect the D, y’all.
posted by Marke on 12-2-2008 at 1:56 pm
In Jersey, we tend to look down upon the 609 area code.
posted by Zach on 12-2-2008 at 2:02 pm
517, 616, 313, 810 Best area codes
posted by The M on 12-2-2008 at 2:05 pm
Lauren-I went to school at UD. I miss 302.
I’m originally from NY, the Hudson Valley, which is about an hour north of NYC. Until I was I think in junior high the whole area was 914. But I guess they were running out of numbers thanks to the number of people moving “upstate,” so the northern part got 845. There was such an uproar when we had to change our numbers! Granted, my dad had to change all of his business cards, but you’d think they removed part of our identity. We’re all used to it at this point, though.
I will say that I was very sad to get rid of my 845 area code and get a central NJ one (609), since AT&T wouldn’t let my fiance and I be on a family plan with phone numbers from different markets. Le sigh.
posted by Kate on 12-2-2008 at 2:06 pm
Representing the 313. Detroit has its own reputation, nothing I need to say.
ReCapcha: Toledo $128,677
posted by Liz on 12-2-2008 at 2:07 pm
Here in Orlando, the code is 407. It is oft found emblazoned on hats and on the occasional tshirt.
Ransom: I know all about the airport codes. Here in “O-Town” it’s MCO, although many refer to it as OIA (Orlando Int’l Airport). Growing up with an air traffic controller father however, I’ve grown up referring to any airport I travel to by it’s code.
posted by sarah on 12-2-2008 at 2:07 pm
Gah! My new area code is looked down on! Why, is it because it’s the Trenton area? It’s also the Princeton area-I can’t imagine why the area would be looked down on, but then again I’ve only been here a year and a half.
posted by Kate on 12-2-2008 at 2:10 pm
I grew up in the 201 area code in NJ. After I went to college they changed my town to 973…much consternation ensued.
Also, when I recently moved houses within the same town in Massachusetts we lost the 508-543-XXXX phone number prefix that we had shared with most of the town and ended up with a strange 774-215-XXXX prefix that is hard for everyone to remember.
Not that any of this matters now that we only need to save a number in our cellphones once to have it forever.
posted by Litoralis on 12-2-2008 at 2:10 pm
I was born in Montreal, represented by 514. People often make jokes about the suburban commuters, who live in the 450. It’s just so easy to poke fun at the suburbanites…
posted by neclectic on 12-2-2008 at 2:12 pm
reminds me of the hoopla surrounding the WWE’s Rey Mysterio (yes, I used to watch wrasslin’). He has the ‘619′ signature move reppin San Diego.
posted by Shawn on 12-2-2008 at 2:20 pm
Growing up in central Massachusetts, we started with 617, and it was changed to 508, then 978. But, like qt314 said, for a long time we never even needed those digits. You could dial next door by using only the last 4, and before 911 we could dial “5678″ to get emergency help.
Now I live in NYC, and I’m proud to have a 917. I laugh at people with 347, and laughed alone at the Sex and the City movie for mocking this issue, because I saw the film in Florida with an 813 audience that just didn’t understand.
posted by Stephanie on 12-2-2008 at 2:22 pm
The 909 in Southern California has quite a stigma. It’s Riverside/San Bernadino County, which is the armpit of so. Cal and has a large meth industry. I constantly mock my friend for living there… then again I (still) live in the 818 (more specifically the area most associated with porn, Chatsworth), so I shouldn’t talk.
posted by Lauren on 12-2-2008 at 2:22 pm
The entire Upper Penninsula of Michigan has the 906 area code… what what to the yoopers of the copper state!!
posted by Ophelia on 12-2-2008 at 2:23 pm
“What up, 212!”
posted by Pam Beasley on 12-2-2008 at 2:24 pm
205 - Birmingham, AL. We will forever be associated with Ruben Studdard. Greeeaaat.
Then again, I guess I’d rather be associated with him than our currently incarcerated mayor….
posted by jaime on 12-2-2008 at 2:29 pm
Currently living in BR (225) my new area code is one number away from my old area code - 205.
worn by Reuben, the first american idol from B’ham, AL.
represent, 205. represent.
posted by MamaBug on 12-2-2008 at 2:31 pm
I will always have a 504 area code.
posted by Steve on 12-2-2008 at 2:40 pm
516
before Long Island split and became 516/631, a “516 girl” was a girl (presumably from LI) who wore those tight black pants in college and beyond.
posted by Joshua on 12-2-2008 at 2:49 pm
702 here - Las Vegas!
Are there any stigmas attached to or assumptions made about the area codes where I live? Ummm . . . yep.
posted by gmsc on 12-2-2008 at 2:54 pm
I never would have thought so many people from NJ had issues with their phone #s. When I was a kid, NJ only had 2 area codes; 201 in the north and 609 in the south. When I was in high school, and pagers got to be popular, 908 was added to north/central NJ. I think we now have a total of 9 area codes for our little state. And for the really possessive Jersians that move to Pennsylvania (of which there are many) or other states (like my sister-in-law in Colorado) it is sacrilege to give up your NJ cell phone number.
posted by Diane on 12-2-2008 at 2:56 pm
Toronto has 416 (main city), 905 (surrounding area), and 647 (cell phones). “The 905″ is completely synonymous with suburbia, even though “the 416″ has suburban areas as well…
When we first got the 905 area code (1992?), TV commercials aired with rapper Maestro explaining the change. Very strange.
posted by S on 12-2-2008 at 3:05 pm
here in DC where the area code is 202, people like to look down on the “bridge and tunnel” people (people from Northern Virginia) with 703 area codes
posted by coolkid on 12-2-2008 at 3:10 pm
In NW Georgia we use 706. Cell phones here primarily use 678 and 770. Chattanooga, TN, which is not far away is a 423 prefix
posted by Quincy on 12-2-2008 at 3:19 pm
I’m one of the NJ-ers… qt314159265 I agree with you, I grew up with 201, but then it changed to add 973 (my town) but some friends still had 201, then when we got our cell phone plan my family became the only ones in north jersey to get 862. I still have it! I have lived in Indiana for two years, and people always assume I’m skipping the 317 (all of the Indianapolis area) when I say 862, so when they realize I’m giving an AREA CODE, they get pissed and have to start over. I usually just say area code first now :)
HOLLA NEW JERSEY!!!!!!! And… Zach you’re so right about 609.
posted by Kelly J on 12-2-2008 at 3:24 pm
Does anyone else remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine has to give up her 212 area code phone number and then desperately tries to get another one.
I live in NJ and agree that we have way too many area codes. My cell phone area code (973)is even different then my son’s (201). Whenever I go somewhere else in the country I cannot make local calls from the hotel because I often forget that I don’t have to dial 10 numbers to get a connection.
NJ area codes - 201, 551, 609, 732, 848, 856, 862, 908, 973
Could they make it any harder.
posted by Bill on 12-2-2008 at 3:37 pm
I’m still reppin an 818 (The Valley in CA) even though i moved back to Illinois almost 2 years ago. I just dont feel like getting a new number.
But i grew up the the 708, which is the south side (and suburbs) of Chicago and am currently living in the 630, which is the western suburbs of Chicago.
posted by Andy on 12-2-2008 at 3:42 pm
I remember the big hoopla over transitioning to ten digit dialing in PA. They added 724 and 818…I think. It was a mess! I miss dialing on 7#’s…but I won’t be giving up my 412 any time soon, it’s travelled from Pittsburgh (THE 412) to Dallas, then The Valley, then Philadelphia.
posted by erin on 12-2-2008 at 3:46 pm
Back when I was in high school and college and was involved with the straight edge hardcore music scene, the various kids around the Midwest where I grew up would represent their hardcore community by their area code. The kids in Grand Rapids even had jackets made that said x616x on them. We were the x219x crew and then Indiana split the northern area code into three and we became the 574. Even today, people are surprised why I know the area codes for random places and it’s all thanks to straight edge hardcore and punk.
posted by kurt on 12-2-2008 at 3:51 pm
In St. Louis, we have two: 314 for the city, and 636 for the county. Nelly and the St. Lunatics immortalized the 314 in their music. Keeping true to the ‘Lou, Nelly also bought his mother a house in the 636.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Montana, and when asked for my number, I automatically give the area code…and get some weird looks and some very confused clerks until I remember to say that its an out-of-state number.
posted by Mary on 12-2-2008 at 3:51 pm
609…that’s for the rednecks down south.
201 is where it’s at…oh wait, I mean 973…or is that 551.
Never mind :-o
posted by Bill on 12-2-2008 at 3:53 pm
In Memphis it’s not the area code that matters but the zip code. And it REALLY, stupidly, matters. I find all that uppity zip code nonsense just that. Like I care where your money goes. We have a four acre working farm just around the corner. It’s complete with old, unpainted barn with tractor showing. The owner puts out a little paper sign by the side of the road so you know what vegetables are in season. And he grows some GOOD food. You can’t get that in your la de da zip codes. And how eco-friendly is that I ask?
posted by Sweet Marie on 12-2-2008 at 4:01 pm
reppin’ the 808- all of hawaii has the same area code.
posted by drumnbasskitty on 12-2-2008 at 4:08 pm
513, 859, 937, 812, thats about all you need for the Greater Cincinnati area.
Cinci, Northern Ky, Lower Dayton, Eastern Indiana.
posted by Gerg on 12-2-2008 at 4:11 pm
Orange County, CA. - 714 is the north and poorer (and older) end of the county and 949 is the south - richer and mostly newer.
posted by Kit on 12-2-2008 at 4:17 pm
Anyone have 209? I’m from Tracy, Ca
posted by ImLauren2 on 12-2-2008 at 4:40 pm
I’m a 413er (Western MA.) No one really has any issues with it, but the “cool” high school and college kids around here like to announce (on Myspace and Facebook, natually) they’re from the 413.
Sweet Marie, we’ve also got zip code issues around here. I live in a sub section of a town that in the last 10-15 years has come to be known as uppity, and many people, upon hearing the town or zip code, make nasty comments about how I must be stuck up and have rich parents. Not true, fortunately and unfortuantely, we were one of the original settling families, we just lucked out on location, I suppose.
And Stephanie, I wondered what the hell the big deal was with Carrie’s new number in the Sex and the City movie… New Yorkers are proud people, huh?
posted by Cassie on 12-2-2008 at 4:42 pm
501! Darren McFadden has a tattoo of 501…there’s quite a bit of territory in the 501.
My favorite is my uncle’s. He lives in Florida, just south of Cape Canaveral and his area code (including the Cape) is 321. Awesome!
posted by Special Agent Baker on 12-2-2008 at 4:44 pm
Tim and Quincy: I lived in Augusta, GA, from 1989 to 1997, and I remember having a 404 area code when we first moved there. Later on it got changed to 706. It always kind of amazes me that I remember this stuff changing, though I don’t know why. Area codes really aren’t a profound part of history, are they? Still: I was there! That’s something! (Something sad, maybe.)
posted by Panthea on 12-2-2008 at 4:46 pm
2-0-3! Friends from outside Connecticut always comment on my Fairfield County Zipcode. It gets kinda old being told I live in the “OC of the East”
posted by Lauren on 12-2-2008 at 4:59 pm
I hated going from 216 to 330 in NE Ohio, then like a year later I moved to NJ and was 908, then like a year after that they changed it to 732. Now my husband only uses his cell phone from work (NYC), and it’s 347! Bleh. Too many numbers.
posted by Lelah on 12-2-2008 at 5:04 pm
ImLauren2, I’m also in the 209!! but orignally from the 650..
posted by dmacg on 12-2-2008 at 5:06 pm
Hey! I was a 609-er for most of my childhood. (Lacey Township to be precise) Lots of fond memories. I still even remember the phone number of my best friend from elementary school.
I’m currently a 585-er, but I used to live in Connecticut. 203 is the area code for the “Gold Coast” which is from Greenwich up to New Haven. Everyone else is 860.
posted by Amy D on 12-2-2008 at 5:08 pm
I’m from Knoxville…area code 865, which also spells out VOL (go Volunteers!). On a side note, since Knoxville’s area code has changed 3 times in the past 15 or so years, does it really make sense to get a tattoo of your area code? Seems like you’re taking a bit of a chance.
posted by Allison on 12-2-2008 at 5:13 pm
313, reppin’ the big d. detroit rock city!
posted by Laura on 12-2-2008 at 5:49 pm
I knew a guy who in high school got a huge tattoo of “510″ on his arm - we lived in the East Bay Area. Of course, just a few MONTHS later the area code changed to “925″, so now his arm reads “92510″.
posted by Leah on 12-2-2008 at 5:50 pm
I got a 212 for my Manhattan landline. I was so proud of being in Manhattan and not the 718 outer boroughs. So I kept the landline, even when I only used my 917 cell phone. Eventually, I finally got rid of the pointless phone, so I integrated 212 into my email address.
Now I live in the 845 Hudson Valley, where we still have 7-digit dialing and I just have the 917 cell phone. No one ever is prepared to get all 10 of my digits, and some people still get mad that they have to make a long distance phone call.
posted by Noelle on 12-2-2008 at 6:11 pm
Hey Kit, thanks for perpetuating the stereotypes! If you ever come out of your 949, lifted truck, cologne drenched sutra going, SRH wearing bubble you would realize that the 714 is the most cultured part of Orange County, with cities like Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Orange. The 714 is where it’s at in Orange County!
posted by Hey! on 12-2-2008 at 6:21 pm
I’m a little surprised that no one has yet to comment on the 562… Where’s my LBC??? Guess no one is qualified to represent…
posted by Greg on 12-2-2008 at 6:40 pm
Yesterday, someone I didn’t know from NYC called and I thought “she must be old…she’s got a 212 area code!” (Don’t forget that NYC also now has 646, for those new to cell phones there, like my dad.)
I’m in a NJ facebook group called “I rep the 973 no matter where I go.” Except ten years ago, when it was 201. And everyone else in my family has 201 on their cells. And my boyfriend’s from 609, but he’s okay. ;)
posted by Liz on 12-2-2008 at 7:07 pm
Cincinnati’s area code made the Olympics this year when David Payne won silver. He flashed the number 513 as he crossed the finish line.
posted by Clara on 12-2-2008 at 7:21 pm
Wow, lot of people from Jersey here.
I’m from 408, which encompasses most of the southern Bay Area, but I now live in 415, which is reserved for San Francisco and Marin county. 415 is a pretty exclusive area code to have.
posted by hilly on 12-2-2008 at 7:38 pm
i live in oceanside, california, and we have several gangs. however, they share a common trait by all being o’side brothers in the 760. there are tons of people with 760/oside tattoos, and ive even seen people with them all over california…
posted by Oneita on 12-2-2008 at 7:38 pm
I can’t believe the SoCal code doesn’t mention the 909 — often the subject of KROCK’s morning show humor.
posted by Eli on 12-2-2008 at 7:54 pm
All of Vermont has 802 as the area code. There is a very odd Youtube video that some kids from Montpelier made rapping about the 802. (My brother apparently knows one of them, since “6 degrees” is too far away in Vermont. Never trash talk a Vermonter in public because someone next to you will know them…)
Being formerly from 01013, hello to Cassie in 413. Ever have to explain to people why “you don’t sound like you’re from Mass.”?
posted by steph on 12-2-2008 at 8:12 pm
firstly, I got a chuckle when i saw Clotho up there refer to 315 as rednecks…no hard feelings..this place does suck. But we gots the ‘Dacks so at least we have somewhere pretty to be all redneck-y in. Here, we all have the same area code, but there is some inferred prestige in our phone prefixes. See, I might be a 315er but at least i’m not a 315-429er. 429ers are our rednecks!
posted by a315er on 12-2-2008 at 8:13 pm
You’re missing the main point of area codes. Back when they were originally set up, everyone had dial phones. The major cities got the easy to dial area codes 212, 312, and 213. The “flyovers” got the area codes that were harder to dial. So an easier to dial A/C was something of a status code. All of the states that had just one area code got one with a 0 in the middle.
As for the new ones: Kennedy Space Center is now in A/C 321 and the Knoxville’s A/c spells out VOL.
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 12-2-2008 at 8:30 pm
OOH I’m super proud to be the first one reppin’ the 510! Oakland, California is the best!
posted by Pyrate Girl!!! on 12-2-2008 at 8:38 pm
There’s something about the 502 area code in Louisville. I don’t think it’s really that special, though. I think some people just like to put it on t-shirts.
posted by Jenny on 12-2-2008 at 8:40 pm
i remember a scene in “Swingers” where one of the guys picks up a girl at party, and brags to his buddies that its “310 “(West side of LA; Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu etc.)
I have a friend that works in the entertainment industry and when he got a new cell phone he made sure it was in the 310, not in the 323 of the neighborhood he lived in. His thinking was that didn’t want his movie people contacts thinking he lived in a poor hood.
posted by Scrufff on 12-2-2008 at 8:48 pm
Currently I live in the 407 (Orlando, ick), but I always get excited when I see 512, Austin. Lots of musicians recognize this area code fondly because many of them got their acceptance calls from SXSW on that area code.
posted by Karleigh on 12-2-2008 at 8:56 pm
I’m in 215 and 267 A/C, but if I go 10 minutes north or west, it’s 610 and 484. And we still haven’t given up our 336 A/C, even though we moved a year ago!
posted by Joe on 12-2-2008 at 9:00 pm
I live in the 515 area code. I’m not aware of any sweet background on our area code but people here are crazy about it anyway. A buddy of mine acually got a tatoo of our area code on his foreskin before he moved to Colorado. And our local messageboard is 515crew.com
posted by Jake on 12-2-2008 at 9:21 pm
561 damned rich palm-beach socialites. i’m a poor college student
posted by teresaisamazing on 12-2-2008 at 9:22 pm
i moved from 718 to 407 and then in ‘96 it changed to 561. it used to be that o-town and south was 407 until you hit broward co. now 561 is associated with retirees and rich people, damn palm beach county
posted by teresaisamazing on 12-2-2008 at 9:32 pm
In Baltimore, it’s the 410. Most cellphones now and a lot of new businesses are 443, and it’s definitely ’status’ to have a 410 cell number.
posted by Deidre on 12-2-2008 at 10:50 pm
610 in pa, although some cells phones are 610, 984 or 484. and since i live right next to nj, i also know a lot of 908’s. but where i go to school its 540 and in this town you don’t even bother dialing the area code from landline phones.
posted by becky on 12-2-2008 at 11:04 pm
Any others from 661(Antelope Valley CA)?
posted by Isaac on 12-2-2008 at 11:38 pm
I guarantee that the people saying that they are from Detroit and have 313 are from the suburbs. That’s how all the little punks act around here.
LOVE, WEST BLOOMFIELD, 248.
posted by WEST BLOOMFIELD on 12-2-2008 at 11:59 pm
713, 832, 281 Don’t know what any of them say about the different parts of the city, but I currently sport 281
posted by Houston on 12-3-2008 at 12:44 am
305 take it to the house
posted by M on 12-3-2008 at 1:29 am
Compton is also in 310, which now also has a 424 overlay.
posted by Brandon on 12-3-2008 at 2:53 am
603 - NH has just one area code…talk of another will be coming. Have always had a 603 #
posted by jeffy-D on 12-3-2008 at 10:13 am
another tribute to San Diego - Ladainian Tomlinson always writes the 616 on the little eye black patches under his eyes
posted by jeffy-D on 12-3-2008 at 10:20 am
602 which is a gang here in Phoenix AZ
posted by Melissa Duarte on 12-3-2008 at 10:49 am
416 represent!
In Toronto, the ‘original’ area code was 416 and now the cell phones are all 647. While 647 is cool, 416 is the ultimate cool.
The other area code for Toronto is 905, which is used for the Greater Toronto Area; the suburban places all us city-dwellers never dream of going to.
You don’t want to be a 905. No one wants to be a 905.
posted by Jenny on 12-3-2008 at 11:55 am
In grad school in The OC we had a speaker once tell us that we couldn’t stay in “The 714″ forever (meaning the “biz” is in LA). Alas, he was right and now I’m a 323. But I can’t wait to give that up and become a 651.
posted by Bug on 12-3-2008 at 12:34 pm
i was not aware that people cared so much about area codes.
posted by m on 12-3-2008 at 1:49 pm
are there really no other folks from the 312 or 773???
312 even has a beer named after it!!
posted by nuff said. on 12-3-2008 at 2:07 pm
lelah, i did the 216 to 330 switch too, in canton, oh!
then i moved to the 513 (cinci)…
then to 615 (nashville)…
and here zip codes matter most. the trendy artsy hipster area i live in is zip code 37206 and there are bumper stickers on EVERYONES car who lives in it, extolling the virtues of how “progressive” it is…
*sigh*
posted by Brooke on 12-3-2008 at 3:08 pm
I grew up in 609, which turned into 856. Though I think my area code changed only because of the exchange because everyone else on my street stayed 609. I’ve been 10 digit dialing since I was 12.
Being from 609/856, we think 973/201 people are different. The North/South battle rages on…
Living in the 617 now! Still don’t know how I got a 617 cell number, I must have gotten the last one. It’s all 857 now.
posted by Katie on 12-3-2008 at 4:39 pm
I’m in St. Louis, and people I know often refer to it as the STL–like our airport code, so there ya go Ransom. STL is adding a new area code next year of 557–people are already freaking out.
posted by Orange on 12-3-2008 at 5:30 pm
I can’t believe there’s only one other person here from Chicago! 773 in the house! I’m only a block from the 312 cut off, though.
posted by JHop on 12-3-2008 at 7:25 pm
Really coolkid? 540 and 571 are looked down upon by the 703s. Go Old School Northern VA, Fairfax County rocks!! In the best humor of course :-) I live in NC now but I would never trade my 703 for a 704. Never.
posted by careya on 12-3-2008 at 9:25 pm
Kennedy Space Center is 321, for the shuttle launching. Also, the Daytona area is 386, which spells out FUN on phones.
posted by Danielle on 12-3-2008 at 10:01 pm
773 represent. chicago really only has the two- 312 for downtown and 773 for the neighborhoods.
then the suburbs are- 630 for the west, 708 for the south, and 847 for the north. beyond them, the exurbs are 815. it is all rather logical. however, i do believe there are some new ones being overlaid.
and ’nuff said’- 312 is an excellent beer. but otherwise, having been born and raised in chicago, there aren’t many stereotypes associated with area codes here.
and we don’t have any cool airport codes either. :-(
posted by clare on 12-4-2008 at 12:05 am
Big up to the 804. Richmond, VA and surrounding areas. I always look down on people with 703’s because that means they are from Northern VA (though I am pretty sure they think they are looking down on me in the 804). I love my 804 in RVA.
posted by Jacqueline on 12-4-2008 at 1:48 am
I can’t believe nobody on here has thrown out the 303! (Denver, CO) Now made popular by the band by the same name (from boulder colorado) 3oh!3.
REPRESENT!
posted by jenni on 12-4-2008 at 2:32 am
if your talking about southern california area codes, clearly the big loser is the 909.. everyone mocks them. granted, most of them are cows, or living in a fancy house in the desert surrounded by cows… it’s a smelly area.
i live in dallas now, and as far as i know there is no coveted area code. there’s also no apparent reasoning behind the area code overlays. if you’re wanting the original, it’s 214.
posted by tami on 12-4-2008 at 11:00 am
Somehow my boss managed to score a NYC cell phone with the prefix (212). Needless to say, it draws comment when I have to give it out to clients
posted by Karen on 12-4-2008 at 5:31 pm
216 is beloved of Clevelanders as the original area code. There is now 440 for a lot of the suburbs, and cellphones. I was weirdly stoked to get a 216 cell number.
posted by lemonparty on 12-5-2008 at 9:06 am
whoaa…. gotta represent for the 707! say it backwards foo!
posted by kevin on 12-8-2008 at 5:00 pm
312 is the best code in all IL. I don’t know what you’re talking about w/no stigma on it. All my friends wanted 312s over suburb codes.
posted by b on 1-1-2009 at 2:43 am