23 Reasons Why The Midwest Is Absolutely Ridiculous

[@NickJohnson]

Here's the entire Midwest Road Trip Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yreUhBrJwFhC9LeCYh1TvBL

[@jules4626]

I’m flying to Montana & Nebraska to interview. I’m binging your videos. 😆

[@Shahmar]

2:30 Thanx Nick! but that aint "Country"; that's 80's pop redux with rap lol.

[@chk3700]

Less than one million. Ugh

[@chk3700]

Always a 👍😄👍👍👍👍👍

[@FallacyAsPraxis]

you need a 360 camera.

[@24WESJULY]

As a lifelong Midwesterner, I would like to thank you for the positive review. We are so much more than flyover country.

[@daisukishikamaru4920]

Hear hear!!

[@diceportz7107]

Shhhhhh! Don't let "them" know!

[@ChequeTwice]

Your Area is so beautiful. I love travelling to see my friends in the Midwest from 🇬🇧. Would love to live there.

[@artur5308]

As a guy from the Czech Republic, I have to say the middwest is definitely one of the more appealing parts of your great country. Only been to New York and New Jersey so far, maybe one day.

[@constantincosmin1743]

I love western.

[@thomaskendall452]

Artur, the great Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák, came to the U.S. for a multi-year stay in the 1890's. At first, he stayed in the NYC area, but then he moved to Spillville, Iowa. Dvořák referred to it as his "summer Vysoka."

[@jwr2904]

New York and New Jersey really aren't a good representative of the US, neither is the West Coast. I'm from California and it's terrible here and I wouldn't tout it as a beacon of hope or greatness

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

Whenever you get the chance to come on over. We'll feed you a good meal and teach you how to play euchre.

[@mandan8945]

Great country? 🤮🤮🤮🤢🤢🤢

[@tmusa2002]

Us rural Midwesterners know it sucks worse elsewhere. We vacation, watch the news and KZbin videos, etc. But I can happily say I have never personally seen, in person, a homeless encampment. If you want a job around here, there’s one to be found. Add to that, families are closer and we help each other when a crisis occurs. We have gofundme, silent auctions, and benefits (steak fries, pancake breakfasts, etc.), and people are generous. When farmers get sick or hurt, or if a farm is damaged by a storm, other farmers flood in to help, it brings tears. ❤ To me, it’s worth the cold winters.

[@robertoburkes817]

I live in a town of almost 2k people in rural mo and there about 5 or 6 homeless people behind my job at the factory. In the woods on a small pond they're always burning shit in the winter but I don't blame em lol. I'm an hour n half from st Louis and a hour from Jeff City so maybe they come from there idk but they've been there for about 2 years.

[@iluvcakes19]

You just explained a small town anywhere.

[@paulwhite5066]

That's how it should be 😎

[@tmusa2002]

@@iluvcakes19 That’s great to hear. I’ve only lived in the Midwest so don’t have that perspective. 🙂

[@iluvcakes19]

@@tmusa2002 if you are curious about more of my thoughts, I've replied in great(er) depth to others in the comment section of this video. There aren't too many comments so it shouldn't be too difficult to find.

[@NathanWind99]

I'm struck by how different the midwest is from here in California. I hope they can maintain that way of life as people continue to leave the big cities.

[@anantakhatri1444]

It's different. I have lived in the midwest for about 5 years now. It's the smallest place I have lived in (having grown up in NYC and also having lived in Miami for about a decade). There are pros and cons to every place. The midwest is the way it is mainly because it's a bubble. There is very little true diversity here. Most people think the same way, therefore, there is very little conflict for the most part. The majority of the of them have pretty much never even traveled anywhere else (even outside of the Midwest, let along outside the country). Overally, people are very nice. Most will go out of their way to help you. Most people imo are nice and get along well with others imo. But media loves to create a divide because that is what gets viewers and that's what gets them more hits and more $$$.

[@DrCruel]

They have horrors that keep the blue tent gypsies far away. Plenty of friendly armed folk and rural hard work.

[@AliciaM5555]

Same. Compared to Cali it's like a different country. Us Californian's live in a dystopian nightmare simulation 😭

[@ET2carbon]

They'll maintain as long as marxists stay away

[@357SWAGNUM_MAGA_X]

There's places like this in California....

[@jeffwright9431]

I have travelled a lot around the USA and I often will get off the interstates for a couple of hundred miles to drive the secondary roads and visit the small towns that time forgot. It has always restored my faith in the kindness and generosity of everyday folks.

[@babureddy6478]

This looks like the America everyone wants to see. Love from India.

[@18svd]

First time i found an indian comment here. Its a channel that every Indian must watch to get true picture of USA

[@dragonfly9209]

And this is how most of it is---wide open spaces and small towns. People in other countries get the wrong picture from Hollywood movies. It's not like in the movies. Bless you over there in India--a fascinating country for different reasons.

[@unrealgalaxy9669]

@@LoneWolf74511 its extremely populated in the cities and just as rural in the country

[@blitzkriegedvanhauten5261]

Do you want to turn it like Canada

[@yugoslavia1995]

@@blitzkriegedvanhauten5261Canada is ruined bcs of its own govt not by immigrants

[@nawmsayin8017]

This is exactly how one pictures the entire US of A living for an outsider like myself. I so wish to take a loooong holiday and come see the grandiose entirety of the great North American subcontinent, at least in this lifetime. I wish the USA lots of blessings and that it's people may someday be successful in getting rid of the deeply rooted rot within the government and the people that actually pull the strings.

[@bigd1555]

Well said.

[@jenniferglenn14]

You are a very kind soul. Wishing you the best as well :)

[@dragonfly9209]

And you're right--most of the US is like this. The country is so big, that most of it is open land, and small towns. I grew up in a small Midwestern town, and then moved to a very large city for a few years. Couldn't wait to get back to the land, the mountains and countryside. Which I have done. I live in a beautiful area now--life is good here. I hope you get to visit here someday, there is much to see. You're right about the government--it is rotten to the core--like almost all governments. Many blessings to you ♥

[@wordup897]

@@dragonfly9209 True, govt does not serve the people, but the other way around. No point in having one when that happens. Sheeit, we can fix roads, run power grids, and fend off invaders on our own! What we need those corrupt warmongering inept stooges for?

[@dragonfly9209]

@@wordup897 I agree! Even our Founding fathers were concerned about what would happen when the government got too big, how it could lead to "tyranny of the government". They only pretend to care about the people. What they're really all about is their own agendas, lining their own pockets to increase their personal wealth, oh and let's not forget how they get into everybody's business, and love to start wars that nobody wants (except them). They sure don't ask us first! They lie out of both sides of their mouth, and make me sick.

[@berylethyl]

I love the idea of small, safe towns with all those small shops and businesses and seeing what they have to offer It's really cool seeing how people live out in the vast plains of America!

[@ToddFamilyFarm]

excellent recap of your summer tour, nice to remember warm summer days, makes me want to get some caseys pizza, looking forward to the Appalachian tour. honored to be one of your favorite spots and we love your videos

[@NickJohnson]

Hey guys!!! We always talk about you! Hope your spring planting goes as well as you can hope!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Benno101able]

That’s true Nick your comment about Des Moines being clean and safe. I was there recently and it was a pleasant surprise honestly how nice Des Moines is

[@jf922]

As someone born and raised in Greece but moved to Los Angeles, California for 10 years now, I have to say: watching this made me realise how much the Midwest has in common with my rural home place. There’s an unspoken truth that’s just a way of life over there when in times of need, people have your back and vice versa. Hospitality is on a whole other level as well. When visiting someone you’re staying till you’re full and drunk. It’s just you and your big family of people in the vast countryside and I miss that every day.

[@Luka_c123]

You moved to la????

[@christopher.96]

I live in rural Ohio. I travel for work all over the U.S and can see the appeal of lots of places. But Ohio and the Midwest overall is a great place to live. You can keep your expensive coastal city, I like where I live.

[@ObsydianShade]

I like Ohio too, as it's where I live, but it's more like the "Mideast," compared to somewhere like Kansas or what's usually thought of as the Midwest.

[@stephendacey8761]

I drove from the East coast along route 70 through the middle of America, and my car broke down in Kansas. This was back in 1987, when people would do their tuneups themselves b/c cars were easier to fix, and my spark plug fell off in the middle of route 70. Of course, an 18-wheeler ran it over, and a young couple stopped to help me. Eventually, they helped get me to a service station, in the middle of nowhere, and I was able to continue my journey to California. I realized that there are good people out there in the Midwest.

[@NickJohnson]

Yes!

[@mh0862]

Back in the mid 80s I was driving a pickup from Texas to Minnesota when the alternator gave out in Des Moines. I made it to a bar where I explained to the bartender what was going on. He agreed to let me sleep in the truck overnight. While consuming adult beverages I met these two brothers. They said they'd come back in the morning to help me out. They sure did. Even went 'cross town to a auto parts store they knew would give them a discount. They rebuilt the alternator for me. I asked them "How much do I owe you?" Nuthin'. Lived in the Midwest for over 20 years. Great bunch! LOL, maybe sometime I'll tell the greatest break down story ever that I had in Utah.

[@stephendacey8761]

@@mh0862 Nothing like a good break down story.

[@brighoftheleash15]

As someone who grew up in between Frederick and Baltimore Maryland, but now lives in northern Indiana. It’s definitely a lot more laid back here than back east.

[@notnek202]

Where in Indiana are you ?

[@brighoftheleash15]

@@notnek202 starting this weekend I’ll be living near warsaw!

[@rnsteve2265]

Nick living his best life traveling all over and telling us about it.

[@donupp13]

Something almost funny about someone just making their way around meeting people. Don’t hear of it much, but i think we could all use a little bit of that

[@marleymatthews7633]

Far to Conservative though the way he speaks about people isn't very nice .

[@joe_bidnass]

@@marleymatthews7633 what does that have to do with being a Conservative? How you speak is so clićhe of left wings.

[@marleymatthews7633]

@@joe_bidnass I'm not left wing not even remotely but people who are really Conservative speak down to people the way he talks about homeless people is appalling it called human decency something you clearly lack .Edit how you speak to someone or about them is called manners and respect something no one clearly taught you .

[@TheHeroMvp18]

Exactly

[@mexicanspec]

People that have always lived in an urban setting don't know how calm life is in a rural place. Everybody should try it once in their life.

[@Glooogii]

I started to be intrested in Midwest, it's so good looking in summer, it's calm, pretty clean, and even big cities are clean and modern and don't have much problems like other cities deal with, it's just look so havenly, thank you for this video this is what I need

[@marlastanding-owl7739]

lol no problems ? clean big cities ? oh my you must have never been …..

[@hotdog31227]

@@marlastanding-owl7739 Your referring to the east Midwest… we don’t like the Ohio, Illinois, and other rust belt states

[@susan5301]

I was born and raised in the Midwest! Born in Omaha and now live in Sioux City. For the most part the Midwest is a safe place to live and raise your family! ❤

[@safffff1000]

Not if the dems keep flooding the country with illegals they will eventually over flow into the rural areas like they did in Texas and Arizona

[@soulbreakerthelastmanalive]

Omaha is occupied territory no one claims it and Souixe city is just sick.

[@bobjacobson858]

What a wonderful, enjoyable video! I've traveled around these states quite a bit over the last few decades, and have been in many of the places you highlighted here. Regarding Iowa, I believe it's worth adding that at the state's borders, the signs say "The People of Iowa Welcome You" which sums it up quite nicely. Back perhaps 15 years ago, I flew into MSP on business, and asked someone where to buy groceries, and he said "Cub Foods". I asked if they also have Hy-Vee here, and he said "Oh, they're only in the little hick towns near the Iowa border." The next time I was in Iowa, I happened to mention this to a person working in a Hy-Vee near Des Moines...and we both just laughed; Iowa is a great state. A few years later, I was driving on a smaller highway NE of Des Moines; it was late enough in the day that the sun was at least three-fourths of the way across the sky, and the intense green of the mature soybean fields simply struck me as beautiful. Valentine, NE is just at the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills, which is something like a huge beach without an ocean getting in the way. I'm interested in biogeography, and I was impressed that I could find eastern species of insects within view of ponderosa pines--and these pines can even be found as far to the east as where Nebraska Route 7 crosses the Niobrara River N of Bassett. Western Nebraska is quite scenic, as well as western SD and SW ND. Kansas, which doesn't extend as far west as these three other states, lacks the rugged forested areas in its western part, but has several spots with interesting rock formations, such as chalk pyramids and mushroom rocks. After one has seen the 'big' attractions seen on national park calendars, etc., it's fun to explore the smaller, lesser-known places in these central states. By the way, it struck me as being a bit strange to hear people in the Black Hills area refer to their area as 'mid-western' because it looks as fully 'western' as the states to the west of it.

[@GenXfrom75]

Had a grand, happy year living on Fort Riley, in Kansas. Our 3 year stay on Fort Sill, Oklahoma was hit or miss but our second son was born there. The Midwest holds beautiful memories for me. 💞

[@kctux7254]

Really enjoy these travel videos Nick. Always learning something new on your channel!

[@harrydajm]

In the late 1800's a close family member moved from Sweden to Stanton, Iowa, to start a new life. He built his own house and stayed there for good. I still keep the letters he wrote to his brother back home. I have tried to contact some relatives who still live in the area, but not one single person has responded. Now, in this video is the first time I have ever heard Stanton being mentioned on the tube, and for a fraction of a second I was so excited. Then I saw that lovely sign... It makes me think that maybe people there have no interest in talking to strangers. It is too bad, because I have a lot I could share about their Swedish background.

[@epicbluerat9999]

That's fascinating and less fortunate on their part, it's their loss.

[@tmusa2002]

In the 1860s my greatx3 grandpa sailed from Germany to New Orleans with the plan of moving to Texas. He did, but couldn’t take the heat so headed back north, spent time in Ohio and eventually to eastern Iowa. I have a lot of his letters too, all translated, and love to read them. I live about 15 miles from where he settled. That’s too bad the Stanton folks didn’t get back with you. I collect things from my small town and would jump on more letters from my area.

[@kathyklafter6849]

Hey Nick, loved the vid but that was the "Californian's Midwest" ;-) Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, ND, SD. The rest of us call those the Plains! Would love to see a vid on the actual Midwest (MN, WI, IL, IN, MI, OH). Keep the vids coming!

[@jessicah3450]

Exactly! I would love a video on the Great Lakes region!

[@kyleelsbernd7566]

Big states with a variety of terrains and cultures. The unglaciated Driftless region where I'm from (IA, MN, WI, and IL) has stunning bluff country with ice caves all summer & clear trout streams. More progressive politics and hippies.

[@Unibot47]

Thanks for this! I'm in Arizona which is just completely infested with Californians at this point. Housing is absurd. Working in healthcare, looking at taking a travel contract for 13 weeks and I've been considering Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, and others. I've been all over and all those states you've mentioned are great. So many great places in this country it's really hard to decide where to go.

[@TomMcBoston]

Love the term "infested"!

[@Unibot47]

@@TomMcBoston Yeah man it's absolutely crawlin with em 😂

[@TomMcBoston]

Sort of like bedbugs!

[@susanservin1949]

As someone who grew up in Iowa and now lives in N. Arizona, I'm distressed by the Californians flooding in. The folks in the Midwest have a whole different outlook than Californians.

[@Unibot47]

@@susanservin1949 Everyone I've met in the midwest has been really nice.

[@godfatherofcinema]

You're the best at these type of videos, Nick. Keep it up!

[@ivanvarykino8202]

Luverne Minnesota is one of the 4 main locations that Ken Burns' selected to tell the Story of World War II in his documentary "The War". Narration was by Tom Hanks. So much history and service to country in this small prairie town. Of the 21 male graduates from the class of 1939, 20 went on to serve in the armed forces.

[@MadMexism]

Kid at 1:27 with the nod shows me there is still hope for the future. To hell with going overseas. There is so much to see in our beautiful country.

[@NickJohnson]

Good kid

[@WhoBeSilly]

Right on dude! Operating the scoreboard with Carl had to have been killer! Lincoln, NE is dope, too.

[@petuniasevan]

5:38 Hubby's parents eloped to Luverne MN in 1961. She was only 16 and the laws in South Dakota didn't at that time allow a girl to get married that young. They are still married, over 60 years later. And they still live in their rural South Dakota town, but are moving to the big city (population 15, 411) in a few months as they can't keep up the old homestead any longer in their old age.

[@billstapleton1084]

Now you can understand the song "Try that in a small town".

[@aragorn1780]

lifelong Midwesterner here it's interesting because the midwest feels like a microcosm of the entire US, just about anything and everything that's to be found in the continental US can be found in some form somewhere in the Midwest (heck... even if you miss the oceans we have the Great Lakes which give very similar vibes... just avoid Lake Erie lol)

[@midwestlakelife]

100% about avoiding Lake Erie. A family friend was killed in Lake Erie last summer in a weird sudden storm/riptide that threw him on the sand bar and about a mile from where he was standing. Dead instantly.

[@mikedrown2721]

Way back in 1973 I was driving from western New York State to the northern California bay area. I had the best breakfast at a truck stop in Des Moines. Thanks Nick 👍😊🇺🇸♥️

[@stylinstu]

Loved the video. I work a lot and I don't have the time to travel the country like I want to. So in less than 20 minutes I got to tour the mid-west and remember childhood memories.

[@msudoc]

I gotta say. I’m addicted to this channel. You’re a great American, Nick!

[@NickJohnson]

Aww I'm glad :)

[@ginorusselwilliams9461]

@Nick Johnson Thank you for this video. I've learned a lot and this video peeked my interest more to travel to Iowa and the other Midwest states.

[@christopherfriend7402]

Outstanding video! So glad to see there is still some of THIS America left from "the good old days".

[@NickJohnson]

You just gotta look for it

[@bmw328i8]

Let’s get nick to 1 million subscribers! You deserve it brother!

[@soupdrinker]

I think a pretty odd place you could visit is Tulelake, CA during their Tulelake Butte Valley Fair. People from the small towns scattered around that area of high north California and south Oregon gather up in that little town and it gets pretty big for place it is in. It is very country and is VERY different from what people expect of California. There are a lot of farmers, live country music, rodeo, demolition derby, etc. This year it is September 7th-10th

[@hushingsilence]

😂I spent the summer driving the Midwest this past summer. too... The Corn Palace ... 😅And Wall Drugs. Can't miss the 102 billboards advertising Wall Drugs in SD... 😂 Little America... You know, all the *good* stuff. Love your vids, Nick... So funny!

[@flynnjp19]

What a great video Nick! Have been living overseas for many years, but your content helps keep me connected to Americana.

[@NickJohnson]

Yay

[@daniel385]

I'm in a small town in Missouri. It looks a lot like these small towns, only bigger. Point is, this video gives an accurate snapshot of life in a small town in the midwest. I was hoping to hear Nick's song about Missouri girls -- "She'll be comin' 'round the trailer when she comes..." but, no luck. Maybe next time. I'm really only here for the music.

[@NickJohnson]

I should have played that!

[@bigd1555]

Nick, love your videos! After driving a million plus miles in North America, I thought I had seen a lot! You bring us the stuff that 99.99% of us miss in our travels. Keep it up! If you ever want visit my neck of the woods in Manitoba, Canada, let me know! Cheers!

[@frednugent2310]

It would be great for him to do a Canadian tour. I am a union boilermaker and traveled to Calgary for work and loved every minute I was there.

[@NickJohnson]

I need to see the us first!

[@thomaskendall452]

@@NickJohnson Besides which, unlike the U.S., Canada actually has borders, and if an American wants to settle in Canada, there are significant fences to leap over. So my sister and brother-in-law found out, when they moved to Edmonton some years ago. Here in the U.S., an American citizen has no problems, government-wise, moving from one state to another.

[@Blackfitbrogi89]

I took the California Zephyr to Omaha from San Francisco this past summer and I spent a whole week there! I actually enjoyed myself!

[@TheSpicyLeg]

I live in a village of 138 people in central PA. One stop sign kind of place. I never lock my doors or windows. My kids ride their bikes alone, sometimes ride 10 miles away from the house. Some neighbor will see them getting tired and pick them up to ride back to the house. The worst crime you’ll see is some teenagers smashing mailboxes out of a car window or something. I absolutely love it. I love the fact (like today) that I’ll sit down to eat lunch and there is suddenly way more kids at the table. Kids will eat at whichever house they are closest to at noon, so I had 6 kids at my table and only 2 were actually my kids. The other four ate at a neighbor’s. We take care of each other here. Yes, most people would call it boring, and there isn’t a lot of money or jobs here. But a feeling of somewhere to belong is not common these days.

[@NickJohnson]

Sounds wonderful where is it??

[@TheSpicyLeg]

@@NickJohnson It’s a village called Tylersville, PA.

[@cheyennewyoming194]

I also have roots in South Dakota, my grandma Redwing was part of the Lakota tribe and spent her final days in a reservation.

[@BlueGoat682]

At 7:08 where you were talking about the flies...Minnesota has a lot of what they call horse flies. The damn things have a pretty painful bite. You were lucky it wasn't them. 🙂

[@julian7062]

Thank you for all these videos. Greattings from Argentina🇦🇷

[@effthamatrix]

Great footage ....and 'Mappy' 😅😅😅

[@frankiecarbone5119]

We live in SW Missouri and we have trash on the sides of the road but notice when we go into KS, it always appears to be clean.

[@rebeccascharr2140]

This is the first video of yours I have seen and I went and subscribed right away. I really enjoy this video, I tell ya. Thank you so much

[@AcuraLvR82]

Still waiting for that Springfield, Missouri episode lol. We are also Midwest but on the extreme southern end so it makes for an interesting subculture of our own lol.

[@lagodifuoco313]

I live in rural Northwestern Minnesota. You are right about the Dollar General and Casey's. They are just about everywhere. And yes, they have by far the best pizza 🍕 for a gas station convenience store.

[@randomrebuilds]

Looks like some great places to live your life - with peace & quiet, minimal traffic, elbow space within houses, friendly people that wave and say hello and low cost of living. Will add this area to the retirement destinations once I'm done working full time in the hustle/bustle city surrounded by all the BS.

[@jimrossi7708]

Born and raised in Newark, NJ and drove a truck for 42 years and yes I know bad areas like Camden, Newark,NJ, Bedford Stuyvesant, NY and The Bronx to just mention a few !!!

[@jimrossi7708]

Also I lived in Monroe, Maine for about a decade and I was looked at as the bad part of town, Monroe’s population was about 900 and I was the 2nd Italian to own a house 🏠 there !!! But I must say that most of the citizens there where absolutely wonderful !!

[@goldiekhan7117]

Woooo the corn palace!!

[@jameshepburn4631]

Mitchell, South Dakota ! !

[@Koop415]

Nice to see some areas that look like they haven't been ruined by drugs.

[@Chalado-Schamane]

I live in central Wisconsin and there's only bar for every 500 people. Drugs won't ever kill as much as alcohol no matter how the media and government work towards it.

[@RealWallyGator]

I grew up in small town Nebraska. There’s no place better to live and raise a family if you don’t mind the cold weather.

[@jantschierschky3461]

Well I am not an American, but crossed the country 4 times, north, central and southern and along the gulf. I see many parallels between say Australia, Europe and USA when comparing rural to cities. However the contrast is interesting when looking at big cities inland versus big cities on the coast. The difference between eastern US and California is striking. I really hope they can deal with the drug and related problem.

[@Pele87t]

Greetings from the country you most likely never heard of, Montenegro! Thank you for bringing real America to us. I often travel to USA, but I visited mostly major cities... I always dreamed of driving across the country, so hopefully I will be able to do it soon, and discover all these places for myself. Keep up the videos, and thank you again for your unique perspective! Cheers, Predrag

[@ScottysHaze]

Why do you assume no one has heard of your country? I know that Montenegro exists, and I'm sure more people than you realize do as well!

[@deborahbarry8250]

Thanks for that video! I'm getting ready to move back home and it's definitely giving me more confidence in the move 😊

[@ceb4382]

It is impossible to not notice the one common social feature that each place shown here has. This lack of "diversity" seems to be working out just fine.

[@stillnotwoke]

"Diversity is perversity..." Michael Savage

[@freddenby4880]

There are Latinos, blacks, native Americans, and white folks in the midwest. Lack of diversity isn’t true. The video only showed white folks at a concert in Kansas City.❤

[@ressljs]

Oh boy, I'm ready to be offended. I grew up on the east coast, but I've lived in the midwest (Nebraska and North Dakota) for 17 years now and at this point, it's the only part of the country that feels like home. I'll comment again once I'm done with the video. That was surprisingly flattering. I loved how he described the Great Plains states. That said, I don't know that I want the coastal states to know that the midwest is a good place to live and not a hell hole. We don't want weirdos showing up, after all.

[@NickJohnson]

No weirdos

[@sandrab2589]

The title of this video is misleading. What's "ridiculous"?

[@gregrohm4132]

Thank you Nick! We love your work

[@NickJohnson]

Cool Greg 👍

[@Surannhealz]

This is the first video I’ve watched on your channel where I just laughed and smiled the whole way through. Thanks! 👍

[@johnnythao]

I'm from the Midwest, and yes, the energy is all over the place. Born and raised in the cities, the environment is as it is in almost every big city in America. On the outside though, where all these small and abandoned towns are, you'd think you've just drove through the set of a dystopian setting of a movie they are about to shoot.

[@Benjones-k7n]

so nice to see your videos are not so doom and gloom. feels good to know that there are actually hope in some places. made my day thanks

[@jimtibbott2985]

Nick you missed it on your Iowa tour. We have the Freedom Rock in every county in Iowa. 99 in total. The opportunity to show them to the world via you KZbin channel would have been honorable.

[@jimtibbott2985]

And you say more than 5000 population for a Casey’s and a Dollar General. I say it’s more like 500 population. I tell ya.

[@maril1379]

Another great video thumbs up from NYC. On your way to (1) million subscribers

[@ricardosuarez2707]

Thanks for showing all this love your videos man. I really like how wholesome and communal it all feels , not at all like the angry hateful despair you feel in California or other costal cities . I am gonna head to these states and see what they are like . Love your content I will recommend this video to many people

[@NickJohnson]

Haha thanks Ricardo tell everyone for me

[@ricardosuarez2707]

@@NickJohnson even though we are United the country looks very different when you move around and many people I know are fed up with California and are looking to leave and this video will be Interesting to them

[@thomaskendall452]

@@ricardosuarez2707 The Midwest pretty much is as Nick portrays it - his reporting is quite balanced. Us Midwesterners fervently hope that Left Coast transplants to our flyover country leave behind the crazy notions that trashed their part of the country.

[@snakeblizkin9930]

I live in Buffalo, NY and it's driving me insane. It's not even that bad compared to bigger cities but it still sucks! I just want somewhere wholesome and nice and sane.

[@ginov.7039]

Same,I live near Sorrycuse cities in N.Y. state are shitholes! Getting the hell out of here as soon as it's humanly possible.

[@michellekrueger5122]

Colorado is nice,, except Denver, and Colorado Springs,... although somewhat expensive, wages somewhat even it out....just saying..

[@lljl5310]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Mappy 🐀 on you about the drugs!!!! Lol. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I had to rewind a few times to get more laughs! Great job Mappy, keep existing Nick!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@cmthumboldt6896]

Not bad Nick, thanks for going to the trouble. Great content hope you get millions of views!

[@NickJohnson]

Meeee toooo

[@ChequeTwice]

🇬🇧 guy here. I’ve only ever been to the Midwest. Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and my god I fell in love with it. The industry, the people, the sports. I WANT TO LIVE AND START A LIFE THERE! Currently at getting my degree to try to get over there. Love you Midwest! ❤️

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

Less teen pregnancies and safe.

[@weightedpullup]

Rural America is full of young single moms.

[@cassiemontgomery45]

I wish my small town in Idaho was like this. It seems to be encouraged. I've overheard young teenage girls talk about who their "baby-daddy " might be someday. They think I'm mean and judgmental because I believe in being married first and my child's father is my "husband ".

[@jollybbjolly5016]

AUTHENTIC INFORMATION AS ALWAYS... CLEAN WORK ...CARRY ON BROTHER 🤗👍

[@Naturenerd1000]

Kansas also has the Geographic center of North America and the Lower 48. When I went to Kansas and Nebraska years ago the speed limit sign said 90 Miles Per Hour! We asked a sheriff and he said that's the speed limit. 😌 It's probably not like that anymore. Towns were completely empty and the only restaurant that was opened anywhere were Pizza Huts. Guess they were affected bad by the 2008 recession.

[@ScottysHaze]

I believe Pizza Hut actually started in Kansas? I might be wrong about that.... But I feel like it's right.

[@jengelenm]

Good job on Westington Springs, SD. Now the world knows when to break into their houses at a certain time of year.... :)

[@antheawitts1121]

Only feels like a few days ago I was congratulating you on hitting the big 700k subscribers mark and now your at 745k - WOW that’s so well earned. Your channel is so informative and up beat. There is nothing worse than sitting listening to someone rant on about how life owes them something. Anyways Congratulations on the new milestone and not long before your be at 800k subscribers. I’m counting down the days until that happens. Stay safe out there on these safe/unsafe roads in your country. 🇺🇸🌎

[@rs3007]

Now 755k 8 days later!

[@msplum3306]

Loved ur footage! Great job thx

[@Ehhokay662]

My home town has 186 people in it, there’s a diner and a gas station, that’s it, it’s perfect

[@davidcropperrealestatebrok8142]

As a Real Estate Broker on the east coast- in Historic Fredericksburg Virginia, I do not get out west very often, loving the channel, you're doing a fantastic job exploring our country

[@NickJohnson]

Ok David!

[@mavrck19]

Another great video Nick. I live near and work in Fort Dodge and it is pretty sketch and getting worse but still a far cry from being as bad as parts of the East Bay in California where my dad lives. Ames and the Des Moines burbs are all very nice and we do love our I-Cubs. How did Iowa Casey's not win the best pizza, though? Their HQ is in Ankeny IA. Guess we need to step our pizza game! You should check out the Iowa Pike's Peak up in NE Iowa along the Mississippi River next time you're around. Not as cool as its much larger cousin in Colorado but discovered by the same guy. Has a great view of the river and into Wisconsin.

[@thomaskendall452]

rojo cinco, Go I-Cubs! The Marquee Sports Network has taken to airing a fair number of their home games. Before we moved, I loved Wrigley Field, but Principal Park looks like a great time, too.

[@brianmatthews4149]

I hear from truckers Atlanta truck stops are the last place you want to lay over in.guess Oakland is way safer just crazy.

[@bekit7131]

You’re an excellent videographer. The midwest looks beautiful.

[@rharris22222]

Nick, I hope you went to Pizza Ranch at some point wandering through MN, IA, and NE. A pizza buffet with surprisingly good fried chicken!

[@NickJohnson]

I have! It's amazing but I get sick cause I eat too much. Shoneys too.

[@Yasminescookingshow]

Thanks Nick. Something about your videos that make me feel so warm inside. I love to travel thanks to my time in the Navy. I appreciate you. Yasmine in Virginia. Born and raised in Haiti. I love America, my second home.

[@NickJohnson]

Hi Yasmine! Should I visit Haiti?

[@Yasminescookingshow]

@@NickJohnson I will email you.

[@calcrappie8507]

Reminds me of the movie Children of the Corn. The Midwest is nice. Good, hard working people. Amazing thunderstorms, delicious sweet corn and fun county fairs.

[@waynemason83]

I live (in Iowa) between Sioux City and Sioux Falls. I go to both cities once every couple months. Sioux City definitely isn't a bad place. Sure winter sucks but there's no other place I'd rather live.

[@tommyboy1653]

Dont forget that winter is always an experience there. But the life in those small towns really peaked in the late 70s,AKSARBAN in Omaha was great.

[@MB-ib5ji]

I just got back from downtown Kansas City and even though there's nothing to see like in San Diego it was much cleaner no homeless and had a great vibe.

[@davidarmitage289]

Amazing video Nick thanks… loved seeing the little league parks and the nut cracker. LMAO @ no tents and weirdos and farmer with all the flys …

[@fritty9927]

Just a lot of meth heads.😄

[@larkasojourn4849]

Sydney Nebraska is lovely, their Cabelas is a Flagship store for that company, story behind that store and the communities dream of lifetime opportunities with that company. I’ve driven to most all those stops in this video, and found surprise little community rodeos, 🤠 mutton busting tots, so adorable, Saturday farmers markets. These Free People Do Not Wish To Become A Teeming Dirty Metropolis 🇺🇸 Robbed Of Taxes. They like being small, nothing local politicians do gets by them 🧐.

[@cheyennewyoming194]

Love it! Was raised in a small town called LaMoure, North Dakota, then Oakes, North Dakota. When I was a kid I was jealous of my “city” family who lived in the suburbs of Kansas City, and this was back in the early 2000s.

[@cheyennewyoming194]

Now I live in the suburbs of Kansas City and it is definitely totally normal to demolish historic buildings/houses to replace them with modern infrastructure.

[@xlerb2286]

Oaks eh? I grew up in a town about 100 miles north of Oaks. I still live in the midwest. I traveled around a bit when I was younger but never found anyplace I liked as much as the midwest. I could do with a little less cold in the winter but no place is perfect ;)

[@ĪndīāñāBūdTøkêr]

I appreciate this video about the Midwest, Nick! There's a different vibe & feel in the middle of the map. Most will never experience winter season with snow blizzards, small, peaceful towns with almost no crime. Very conservative and Indiana doesn't put up with crime. Also, the Midwest has the lowest number of homeless people in the United States! 😉

[@john7m7usa]

Midwest for the win! Nice video Nick

[@michaelsmith2733]

Your funny Nick, I tell ya. Yes I agree, as an old geezer I would love to live out my last day's in a small all American town like you have shown. I especially like SD's Governor.

[@NickJohnson]

You should do it!

[@DJ-vf5gu]

I'm from the Pacific Northwest and I've lived on the East Coast and also the South and the Southwest and I ended up here in the Midwest.I love it the cost of living is low and folks are friendlier.

[@Seancanonlycaton93]

At the end “for a week, in the summer” just about sums it up 😂

[@mr.sirdonkeyarnoldjr.sr.9512]

Great video. I enjoy your narration.

[@danny208YT]

Good people