Where should I say I'm from?

I know it's kind of a silly question but ....
14 years in Bay Area, CA
7 years in NJ
4 years in VA
15 years in So. CA
2 years in PA... 
When people ask where I'm from I tend to just say PA because that's where I lived last, but I was barely there and spent almost 6 months of that out of the country.  Plus, my family is all in PA and NJ and when I say CA it seems weird that I then have to explain that my family all live elsewhere.  Why is our country so big!?

I always say "I grew up in PA but spent a long time in CA".

If I were you I'd say " I lived a long time in CA but also lived on the east coast." If that does not satisfy them, you can then elaborate but many times people are being polite and don't ask for any more information.

Good luck

I have a friend in the US who was all over the place as a kid and as an adult and I never knew where he was going to say he was from when people asked.  Usually he just said he's lived all over, but said he considered X home.  I can't even remember what he called his "emotional" home.  But you get the idea.

I just say "Originally, the States, but Kilburn now." If people actually care about the state itself or have knowledge of the States, they'll dig further. But people generally don't, and the details are boring, because the question is just an ice-breaker.

I usually start with "I grew up in America", but invariably this leads to "I know that! Where?!".

I tell them I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and spent most of my adult life spent in America in NYC. I'll sometimes add I moved to the UK after many years in Switzerland, if they seem particularly nosy and to kind of confuse the nosiest ones

It is an icebreaker for some people, but once you've said where you're from, and they look disappointed because you've not said Florida or California, I find the confuse them with too many locations bit works.

they look disappointed because you've not said Florida or California,

This. Also, NYC. If you're from anywhere else in the US, just be as general as possible! When I said I was from Baltimore, there would be confusion. Then I would say it's just outside of Washington, DC. More confusion. So, I'd say it's between NYC and Washington, DC and they would say, "Oh!' as if they knew exactly where that was. When I told my FIL I grew up in Pennsylvania, he thought for years it was Transylvania. But he's a special case. 

Yeah, I say I was born in Pa but live in Golders Green/Cricklewood area now.

I just say "Originally, the States, but Kilburn now." If people actually care about the state itself or have knowledge of the States, they'll dig further. But people generally don't, and the details are boring, because the question is just an ice-breaker.

I agree.

Simply saying Indiana seemed to bore people, so I'd elaborate by telling them I grew up a few miles from Santa Claus, which seemed to leave them thinking I was making up some sort of fantastic story, or lying to them. I had a few people come back to me (usually regulars from away pubs hubby played against in his pool league) and tell me they Googled it, and were surprised it not only existed, but is worth visiting.

I do have to agree with the fact most people lose interest if it isn't Florida, California, NYC or Vegas. It amazed me how many people asked me how close I was to one of those.

I try to keep it general, but more often than not they press me to say where my "lovely accent comes from", lol! 

And so onwards to Kansas. Which might lead to further interest, a comment about the Wizard of Oz, or a blank stare or something about isn't that pretty close to Florida... 

And then I can talk about when I lived in Florida...haha! 

And then say oh but I've lived here for (near enough to) 10 years. Which brings us back to my accent & surprise that I still have it. 

Depends on the person asking and the situation.  If I feel like they might have an idea, I say near Seattle.  If they still seem interested, I say between Vancouver and Seattle... closer to Vancouver but just on the US side.  I work with a lot of people who travel, so that's the response I give now.    One guy I work with (an Aussie) is engaged to a gal just across the border from my hometown and considering having their wedding nearby so he was very familiar with my hometown!    Small world!

Perhaps associating it with a TV show?

Them: "Where're ye from Lass?"
You: "Indiana"
Them: "?"
You: "You know like Parks and Rec"
Them: "Cor what's she on about..."

or

Them: "Are you from New York? How exciting!"
You: "No, Baltimore"
Them: "?"
You: "Like in The Wire."
Them: "That was New York wasn't it?"
You: "OK I'm from New York"

That's a good point. People have actually heard of Baltimore, thanks to The Wire. But, then I have to do a lot of explaining of how not all of Baltimore is like that, I didn't live in Hamsterdam, I've never seen Omar walking down the street, you know...that sort of thing.

Simply saying Indiana seemed to bore people, so I'd elaborate by telling them I grew up a few miles from Santa Claus, which seemed to leave them thinking I was making up some sort of fantastic story, or lying to them. I had a few people come back to me (usually regulars from away pubs hubby played against in his pool league) and tell me they Googled it, and were surprised it not only existed, but is worth visiting.

I do have to agree with the fact most people lose interest if it isn't Florida, California, NYC or Vegas. It amazed me how many people asked me how close I was to one of those.

Oh god, I (partly) grew up in Vegas.  Do I need to worry?

Actually I am pretty used to it from talking to people in the US, and usually finish the statement with "it was a weird place to grow up".  But my parents moved us across the continent four times, and the entire story is just way too complicated to explain (and no, we weren't in the military, and one of the moves was on the scale of 3,000 miles plus) at first pass.  Typically I keep a lot of it to myself and just mention my "emotional" hometown, which is the one and same as a well-respected global brand for both golf and plumbing products

"I am originally from X, but I was recently living in Y"

And if someone says something about having visited the States, but say CA or LV, then I may mention I lived there or near there or have friends there, etc. 

Simply saying Indiana seemed to bore people, so I'd elaborate by telling them I grew up a few miles from Santa Claus, which seemed to leave them thinking I was making up some sort of fantastic story, or lying to them. I had a few people come back to me (usually regulars from away pubs hubby played against in his pool league) and tell me they Googled it, and were surprised it not only existed, but is worth visiting.

I do have to agree with the fact most people lose interest if it isn't Florida, California, NYC or Vegas. It amazed me how many people asked me how close I was to one of those.

I have been there!!!  Lived just outside Evansville for a bit and we used to go to Holiday world and Huber Winery ALLLLLLLLLL the time!!!!

I usually start with "I grew up in America", but invariably this leads to "I know that! Where?!".

I tell them I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and spent most of my adult life spent in America in NYC. I'll sometimes add I moved to the UK after many years in Switzerland, if they seem particularly nosy and to kind of confuse the nosiest ones

It is an icebreaker for some people, but once you've said where you're from, and they look disappointed because you've not said Florida or California, I find the confuse them with too many locations bit works.

Wow your story is similar to mine.  I was born in Manassas Virginia (battle of bull run) but moved just outside Cleveland when I was a baby.  Lived there til I was about 16, with a brief spell in Indiana as stated above and then lived in NYC til just recently.

I tell people I am from America and when they ask where I say NYC since I spent over half my life there and it was NYC who shaped me into the person I am today.  I do have some friends in Liverpool who are big into the history of the US and know where Manassas was......more so than any friend ever in the States.

I was an army brat and my accent changes depending on who I speak to.  I was asked where in Ireland I was from when we went to Blackpool and this weekend the waitress asked where in wales I lived.  I don't change my accent on purpose.....it has a mind of its own......but when I get angry, it is Brooklyn through and through.