I Drove Through The WORST Neighborhood In Los Angeles. This Is What I Saw.

Wow Los Angeles has some bad areas!
For this video, I drove to the south side of Los Angeles County - as far south within the county limits as you can get, actually. The goal was to witness the worst neighborhood in Los Angeles firsthand. I entered LA on the city’s far south end, along the coast, in the Los Angeles harbor region. The industrial landscape smelled of chemicals, and was eerily desolate. It was Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 11 am
The LA neighborhood of Wilmington is well known among people who grew up in Southern California. Not many have been here - but it’s notorious for news reports and pop culture lore. The type of place Long Beach rappers talked about in the 90s. This neighborhood has racked by crime and poverty for decades. Wilmington is about 9 square miles big, bordered by Long Beach and Carson. There are about 50,000 people in this hood - big enough that it would be a fairly large city in some states.
To get a good look at Wilmington, I’ll be generally driving north up Avalon Blvd, which splits the neighborhood in half. I’ll criss cross various side streets to give you some perspective on what the area is like.
Most of the Wilmington neighborhood is poor - folks earn about $15k a year each annually, which is really low - even for Los Angeles. 2 in 3 people here rent their home.
87% of Wilmington is hispanic, which is a huge difference from what this neighborhood was like back in 1990 when this area was 40% black. Gangs have always been a problem here, but gang activity peaked decades ago - back in the late 1990s there would be 40 gang related killings in this neighborhood each year. There’s still a lot of gang activity here these days, just less so.
Crime rates are nearly triple the national average in this part of Los Angeles. To make matters worse, the air pollution in this neighborhood is terrible, because it’s just blocks away from oil refineries. In fact, Wilmington sits on top of the third largest oil field in the country. That’s correct - right here in south Los Angeles, next to a bunch of ports, railyards and distribution centers along the LA Harbor is a large oil field.
On many Wilmington blocks, there’s either a liquor store, a fast food restaurant, a rundown school or a dirty park.
Anyways, I’ll continue the drive so you can take a look and judge the area for yourself. The worst neighborhood in Los Angeles.
#losangeles #california
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[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire Unboxing America Series: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF

[@Forest9924]

the crazy thing is that its a "ghetto" but those houses are like 500- 800K.

[@stoneygreek]

I was wondering how much a house cost there! In Detroit they will give you a free lot if you agree to pay the taxes. A house cost as little as 4000. no bullshit

[@davidbruceperez]

@@stoneygreek damn wtf, thats crazy lol

[@eviljesus6111]

@1Jvelocity99 dechroit is bad though

[@rhiannonrhiannon6285]

@@stoneygreek What is crazy is that if you would buy one of those homes you would spend about 500K to 1mil for one of those homes. Even in the ghetto you can't find many homes for under 1 mil.

[@DeflatingAtheism]

It's supply and demand. In even the worst neighborhoods in greater L.A., you'll see very few vacancies. In Detroit, entire blocks are abandoned. Since the demand for houses outstrips the supply, a bungalow in Compton will probably cost what a mansion costs in Georgia. If Newsom and Garcetti continue in their idiotic policies, however, you'll probably see those abandoned houses popping up very soon.

[@keenanketsdever590]

I used to think Wilmington was rough, then I accidentally booked a motel in a New Orleans ghetto, then i learned what real terror was

[@RenR70]

You should go to Philly, crazy as it sounds even makes N.O. Look nice.

[@JackMee-hOFF-Jr.]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dereka8041]

My family and I visited New Orleans, even way before Hurricane Katrina hit. What a nasty, filthy, shady city. I will never return to New Orleans. Houston, TX is a little better, but not by much. Beautiful metro areas, that I have visited, are Denver and Nashville.

[@kingladelldonaldson3728]

Los Angeles is safe. I miss the hood. Midwest is scary as hell.

[@david-lt9wj]

@@kingladelldonaldson3728 America scares me.....i won't go there....

[@AprilRoseStar]

I grew up in Wilmington and I loved it! Yes it’s ghetto , I mean it is in LA, but trust me there are WAY worse cities in LA area than Wilmington! I still go back to visit all the time and It’s nothing how you describe 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@bobnunyabiznz4917]

Learn the difference between a city and a neighborhood.

[@snort455]

8 min in. I've seen way worse here in the Bay Area.

[@charlesbowie6183]

U feel me

[@mzt7595]

Couldn’t believe what this fool said Wilmington is a very nice place

[@abelardojesusplatashernand6608]

Preach! I'm Lennox born and raised and it absolutely baffled me when he called Wilmington the worst part of LA, the entirety of the San Pedro is really nice, it looks borderline middle class and neat, especially compared to, like, Expo Park, West Adams, or Lennox itself.

[@ak72777]

I'm from LA and a lot of people are fooled by the way the neighborhoods look. They aren't total slums like on the east and midwest but the stats are just as bad.

[@Tommy88-]

So true, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, nyc etc all look so much worse than this.

[@fatbroccoli8]

I think it’s the other way, they think that because it looks bad it means it’s dangerous

[@bdflatlander]

From what I see of the houses and neighborhoods in this video, Wilmington doesn’t look all that bad. Most of the homes seem to be reasonably well maintained and there’s no visible trash on the streets.

[@annabanzon313]

There's gang activity that's why and deaths year round. I work here and it is dangerous, but my students are the best compared to other areas like paramount, compton and dtla.

[@kimberleymartinez775]

I've lived in Wilmington my whole life, and I have never had my life threatened. I do all the normal things teenagers do. I freely go on runs, go on bike rides, and go to the park with my friends. Maybe it's luck who knows, but I personally feel completely safe. I agree that air pollution is not the best for the community.

[@blazed420dayz3]

💯. I live in LA but have been down to Wilmington many times. Definitely not the worst neighborhood

[@jdubz33]

Everyone hates you if you are White however

[@wendi2819]

It looks clean and like any other little town with tremendous sunshine and the Pacific ocean. I agree with you!!!

[@chosen444this3]

Lucky you

[@Yasmine91646]

Lucky you, your experience isn’t the norm

[@josephoxandale]

I've been doing a long term photography project in south LA and it's astonishing how a neighborhood can seem post-apocalyptic and very dangerous at 3 in the morning, but when you go back in daylight hours it's totally fine... just a lot of working class latinos driving pickup trucks. It's like there's 2 versions of every neighborhood down there.

[@NickJohnson]

True

[@ericb8419]

Isn’t that because it’s just bad streets? In California were so stacked on each other you see the bad and good in every city. Long Beach has signal hill, LA has million dollar lofts a mile away from skid row. Orange County has Anaheim and Santa Ana, Riverside county has gated communities in the hills that are worth millions of dollars per a home. I grew up in Los Alamitos and most the population is super rich but a few streets are just apartments and the income variable is huge! I think every city and county has the bad and good parts and I don’t think people in other states can understand our dynamic.(other than New York City. SoCal is just a big NYC)

[@jaddison1112]

@@NickJohnson FU ! Liar !

[@MarioRodriguez-gr8wc]

A lot of it has to do with poor lighting. I live in Koreatown and some of my friends in South Central say it looks ghetto. But I think it’s because, one the city doesn’t trim the trees (it’s ridiculous), and two because the lighting is so bad it looks dark unless you’re on the boulevard.

[@teresadesertgirl603]

Wow... that’s good insight. Because I wasn’t thinking things look too bad.

[@brienmcnally1960]

Clean streets, no graffiti, reasonably maintained housing. Just a working class hood. Residents showing pride

[@jonalarcon8564]

EXACTLY!!!!

[@Lokahi-fo-life]

There’s graffiti, trust me.

[@frankpereyda1106]

Right on

[@Rumskitt]

West coast ghettos never look as bad as ghettos in other parts of the country

[@NickJohnson]

true

[@itspeteryt2503]

@@K.B.Williams they also have very nice weather that makes it not look as bad

[@rnelson299]

The buildings in California are way newer than buildings on the east coast. Ghettos on the west coast are just as bad, but the decay hasn’t set in as long.

[@nikoid3631]

Yes, very different from the worst city in northern Philadelphia

[@hiphoprbloverjon9180]

The worst looking ones are located in Watts, Boyle Heights, or Downtown LA. Long Beach, Carson, Compton, and Inglewood have always looked suburban.

[@ronnieg.1200]

Lmao thanks for showing the beauty of our city! Yes it has "ghetto" parts, but show me a city that doesn't. I was born and raised right here in Wilmington. My great grandparents planted their roots here. So again, thank you for showing our beautiful little city to the world. Edit: it's funny all the hate my comment has gotten! I'm not mad though, this is still my city.

[@1javixD]

Stop lying to yourself.

[@ronnieg.1200]

@@1javixD salty much?

[@erickalfaro4602]

he didn’t show the good stuff we have … making us look bad even tho it isn’t

[@jdubz33]

@Andrew H because you’ll get arrested for being in a gang

[@SoulReaperSlayer19]

@Andrew H “where people are more responsible than the average American 🇺🇸 “… 🤣🤣

[@swabby429]

I was waiting for the ugly, decrepit housing tenements. The homes actually look very nice. The business district looked better any within a similar size city in Nebraska. I guess the crime rate makes the place bad, though.

[@369Alien]

Plus all the palm trees, can’t forget about the palm trees, those would make anywhere look nice

[@elizabethplum6288]

I used to go there for work occasionally it's way yonder mo' good..

[@exploringwithedhernandez8773]

Ikr f this state it’s so boring lol

[@Jaylinjamerson]

They’re tearing down all the projects in LA. The Jordan downs is getting renovated as we speak. California “hoods” look better than 80% of the country lmao

[@nottherealrustyshackleford9482]

LA's crowded. Your $ don't buy a house or structure, what you're paying for is neighbors, everyone around you. Exclusivity. 😕

[@chadnielsen6536]

I saw new asphalt on some streets. Well maintained yards. All vehicles looked in great shape. Cute older houses. A lady watering her lawn. Man, what a terrible place! 🤣🤣🤣 so nice to see at least the majority of the comments being positive about the city!

[@frankpereyda1106]

Exactly!!! Well said.

[@martinhuerta4790]

Didn’t see what’s so bad about Wilmington. It’s a working class neighborhood. And it’s certainly better than other parts of LA. South Central for instance.

[@RosDC]

You are right Martin!...

[@mungia1500]

Raise the bar a little higher people.

[@sal2975]

@@mungia1500 they're getting there. Compared to how it was before.

[@nativetexanful]

Wilmington may not be the best part of LA, but it's certainly no the worst by any means.

[@FeatheryBird]

You haven't passed a single homeless tent.

[@baldheadahh1560]

Where I’m at I walk through this park and there’s literally a city of tents and homeless people

[@gejikas]

He didn't drive through the streets where they are.

[@patriciapineda6928]

He needs to go to downtown LA

[@gejikas]

@Sapphire Rings ... India? With English signs?

[@soneshkoolath8744]

@@gejikas English sign is quite common in India.

[@sabrinacle]

Wilmington had nice houses. Didn’t see homeless encampments or trash. What are you talking about?

[@imcarlosjr4898]

@Aimee Webber I walked thought Theses parts and there are a few homeless but not like downtown. And it not really bad compared to south LA

[@NickJohnson]

I get to Compton and then skid row in the next couple of weeks. LA is too expensive to let homes go unused and boarded up.

[@melissacolver8550]

All the homeless are around Anaheim Avalon and PCH.. alleys and backstreet are full.

[@azukichan3525]

well there´s some homeless people there. But I live in a apartment

[@blackstar7271]

alameda st has them in Compton especially don’t worry he just didn’t pass by them.

[@tommatthews9341]

It looks nice! 😁 You should've stopped at Tommy's Burgers for lunch! 8:48

[@NickJohnson]

it's too much for me at my age Tom :)

[@discopoe]

Doesn't seem to be that bad tbh. I've certainly been to parts of LA that look worse.

[@ChicagoCannabisConnoisse-ls4id]

It’s a gang war out there ☠️

[@jaddison1112]

Thank you I live in Wilmington. This was a down and dirty hachet job. He did not show the nice houses neighborhoods, new schools, parks and businesses. Johnson is a liar who doesn't know what he is talking about.

[@donh5794]

@@riverluxori1384 Yeah, not much going on there. Making average $15k is dispressing.

[@brianlong9566]

@@jaddison1112 agreed. Typical transplant perspective

[@RosDC]

@@jaddison1112 I know what you mean. I still have a lot of family in Wilmington and they are in very nice homes.

[@urstylo]

I grew up in Carson and went to Wilmington Junior high. The salary figures you mentioned are wrong. A lot of Wilmington families are longshoremen at the LA ports. They make a good living there.

[@rayrios1127]

Definitely not a lot. I lived in Wilmington most of my life and not everybody is a long shoreman

[@Yasmine91646]

So since you went to a school in Wilmington then you know a lot about Wilmington? Smh 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@patricianoftheplebs6015]

The music makes it seem like you are Kurt russel in escape from Los Angeles

[@NickJohnson]

I like all 80s movies!

[@patricianoftheplebs6015]

@@NickJohnson they don’t make them like that anymore

[@elizabethplum6288]

LMAO

[@glyph241]

@@NickJohnson They Live!!! 🦎 🕶

[@inabrillo9195]

Funny

[@antonettemanzo9978]

First, I love my city. Second, does anyone else notice his horrible driving?

[@alfredatrawick649]

Yes! I wanted him to slow down so I could l at least check out the streets that he was driving on. He was driving too fast

[@Dan4x2282]

He ran a red light naughty boy !

[@lissyalcala7729]

That's right .. & Heck yeah, now I know I wasn't trippen . 😆. This guy better learn how to make them complete stops . And wait until a pedestrian is literally on the other side of the street when crossing. As well as HE NEEDS TO MAKE SURE HE does his homework and do some actual Research about Wilmington . 🧐

[@ernestcassell3227]

Not bad at all. Take a drive thru inner city Baltimore row houses if you want to see bad neighborhoods.

[@freddymarcel-marcum6831]

I was there about two years ago for a bike messenger race, I don't know what part of Baltimore it was but it was seriously fucked up, and I lived in the Tenderloin in San Francisco and nothing shocks me anymore.

[@helladankseedco.2411]

@@freddymarcel-marcum6831 The TL was baaaaaad....

[@dsanchez9703]

Neighborhoods on these video look nice compared with some of da places I seen in detroit!

[@tucson2portland]

@WP It's funny you say that but Baltimore niccuhs be banging L.A. gangs trying to emulate their life style.

[@tonynasaofficial]

Um I live in maryland and it's not bad hush

[@sixxdeuce2340]

We love our city. Wilmington will always be home ! It’s beautiful and ain’t no place like it 💯

[@katiealvarez5009]

Yesss !!!

[@hazelrubio0]

I was born there

[@paulsuprono7225]

And that was Wilmington, DE - right ?

[@ashleyrazo8159]

Omg yesssss

[@Angelo-nv8eo]

I'm from Carson and you're damn right, here, Wilmas, Pedro, no place like the HA

[@addicted2baseballrgd21]

There's a sign when you enter the neighborhood of Wilmington that reads "Welcome to Wilmington, heart of the harbor". We use to say more like the "fart" of the harbor, because of the strong smell there. Also Wilmington is where the first Der Weinerschnizzel opened up. Its not the worst neighborhood in LA as far as crime goes, South LA is the worst. As far as quality of life goes, it's the worst with the pollution.

[@NickJohnson]

This is south la

[@Jaylinjamerson]

@@NickJohnson no it isn’t, this is the harbor

[@Andrewtatesbiggestfan]

@@Jaylinjamerson this ain’t south central dog south central is around Crenshaw high school

[@arianalopez4929]

@@NickJohnson it’s not South LA. It’s South Bay. If you’re going to talk bad about a town atleast educate yourself where it’s located

[@sal2975]

It technically is South LA. LA extends all the way to the Harbor. South Central is a specific location near Downtown PART of South LA. You know, since it's in the south of LA.

[@youdecide2696]

San Pedro has been my home 4 different times; only place I could afford the rent in the area. Having the tamale guy go through the neighborhoods and numerous food trucks to eat dinner at makes life easier for a single guy. Lots of great Mexican food options, Italian, Seafood etc in the area. My Mom grew up in the Wilmington housing projects and says life was hard for the family during the 60s. LA is not all glamour, that is for sure, it is a real struggle to make it here

[@rojkio1474]

And also this area of Wilmington is just minutes away from “Palos Verdes Estates” which is a very expensive ocean front area, just west of it...does not look bad at all and it seems like it’s transitioning to a better community.

[@ieatpeen500]

The entire wilmington is a rat hole 🤣🤣

[@alfredatrawick649]

He missed Palos Verdes, which is very scenic. I used to take Bus 246 to the end of the route. The view overlooked the Pacific Ocean, which is very scenic.

[@felipepichardo9698]

I think Wilmington doesn't look to bad why don't you do a video of Skid Row That's something good to see

[@lizurrea4941]

I grew up in Wilmington. There are nicer parts and it wasn’t bad growing up there. It’s the Heart of the Harbor. Many families whose parents worked on the docks and terminal Island have inherited their parents homes and have updated and made neighbors better. Yes many changes since I moved away in 1990. The gangs back then and maybe presently were Hispanic. You should have driven around Banning Park area were there are nicer homes.

[@jaddison1112]

True ! Homes remodled all the time. New Houses being built in previous vacant lots. I've lived in Wilmington all my life. Our weather cannot be beat. Better than 95%+ of the rest of Socal. By the way, the average Wilmington, CA home price is between $600,000 to $700,000+ in the last year. ( as per Red Fin Realty). The most affordable of most any Socal coastline community. World class beaches nearby. Cool summer breezes most days, while inland LA Metro areas, Valleys, and IE, sadly swelter.

[@lynnetengco7236]

In poor countries ,what you showed us is already a beautiful village!🥺✌️

[@jaykeen7163]

@@deusvult9741 this is a Million times better than downtown LA....

[@jaykeen7163]

@@deusvult9741 this is a Million times better than downtown LA....

[@MsLionofJuda]

I was surprised at the lack of people hanging on the street corners, garbage all around, homeless people camping out etc. Doesn’t look that bad to me, and believe me, I have seen much worse. I have seen daytime and nighttime ghettos looking like war zones both at night and in the daytime.

[@ABa-ve3ul]

Yea ridiculous. Why doesn’t he drive through South LA? This doesn’t look bad at all imho

[@Andres-ns9lx]

It’s working class idk why he’s acting like it’s bad

[@alfredatrawick649]

You missed the night life. There are chronic in the area. Some gangs do come out. I worked at the Los Angeles Refinery on Sepulveda. I was about to be killed in front of Tom's #1 World Famous Chiliburgers on 626 E. Sepulveda. Bloods, Crips and either MS-13 were on the corner, if it was not for Uber, I would have died. After getting quickly into Uber, I saw a Mexican gang member with a machete in his hand. His homie had a bow and arrow right outside the diner.

[@alfredatrawick649]

Next time Nick, drive to either Crenshaw and Rosecrans or Inglewood. Tell how that works out for you! OH! I know. Let's take a tour of Compton, CA (Florence and Manchester).

[@jaddison1112]

Wilmington is also close to SoCal beaches like Cabrillo, Torrance, Redondo, Long Beach, and Hermosa Beaches. Our weather is mostly very nice, and NOT as polluted as other areas inland. Cool summer ocean breezes and cooler summer nights are the norm. The LA Harbor is banning all forms of Harbor related fossil fuel engines. It will be all electric soon. Things are lovely in Wilmington most of the time and getting better. A waterfront park has been completed, and now extended right to the Harbor water.

[@JS-1983]

I'm from Finland and that place doesn't look bad at all, one reason being weather, we have now rainy, cloudy, gray weather here so.... 😄 Other reason, many of those cars are much newer and nicer compared to typical Finnish cars. Houses look also ok to me.

[@whatever5575]

most of the bad areas are slowly being gentrified. i don't know what happens to the original inhabitants but since the cost of housing is so high in southern california's good neighborhoods, the developers are slowing buying up and renovating houses in the bad areas to make it somewhat affordable to first time buyers. i suspect this video is a reflection of it.

[@johncarter6852]

if it weren't for the gangs/gang activity in these hoods, it'll be a decent place to live .....

[@PWAN-qm7hc]

Yes most terrific things happen after dark, during day time we dont see the entire picture. Btw i am fascinated by Finnish part of Lapland and wanted to see Santa in his village. I went to Barrow Alaska which is 450 miles above Arctic Circle believe it or not crimes and homeless in Anchorage Alaska is increasing despite efforts to house homeless in abandoned hotels during winter.

[@Sm00th89]

This isn't even bad. I've been to some pretty rough places imperial courts projects, Nickerson gardens and every street around that area. I do watts and compton. What you were driving around looks like a rich area compared to what ive seen.

[@Alinoschka]

Are you still in zone 12?????? (Sorry if you don't know this episode from King of Queens, but I just had to! :-) )

[@frankxah4866]

I was thinking the same. We do have homeless but how many tents did you see? How much garbage? Not the leanest city but it's not run down. Crime does suck though. Three shot today, and a hit and run.

[@Don-qf4hy]

Wilmington is ghetto asf ifykyk

[@Don-qf4hy]

He drove past the wsw projects at the 0:40 mark

[@TOPchop88]

@@Alinoschka 😂

[@priscillagee310]

This popped up in my recommendations. I’ve lived in Wilmington my whole life. This is home.

[@jonlouis2582]

It sure doesn’t look that bad to me. A lot nicer than where I live.

[@johncarter6852]

it's the gang/gang activities that makes it not a good place to live .....

[@arielbonzai462]

I think it's got the best people but wilmas is polluted and poor thanks for to oil and harbor.

[@sm3675]

@@arielbonzai462 yea.

[@patriciaalkawadri1580]

@John Carter I second that! It's the worst place in LA county to be living in!

[@georgejetson1025]

All I see is blue skys and palm trees Damn , I’m looking out my window here in northern Canada right now and I see 10 ft of snow lol

[@outbackigloo6489]

It really did not look that bad to me. I liked looking at the trees, which are not the kind you see in the Northeast.

[@georgejetson1025]

Yea not too many palm trees in NY

[@Milkshakeman133]

It’s not even bad here dude honestly

[@stephenhill2348]

This guy doesn’t know what he is talking about,I’m from south Los Angeles,and it’s not that bad over there,anywhere you go to at night will be dangerous for anyone not living that life.

[@osdu8172]

Exactly!!! He has no damn idea. Like “oh let me do a quick google search and drive for 15 minutes. Yep, I know all about this town and why it’s the worst.” 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@LaChocolatScorpio]

Right he doesn’t know wtf he’s talking about. This is why when we see them in our neighborhoods filming we kick their asses out. Because they post bs like this!

[@sal2975]

@@kiwijordan4515 Eastside is the same thing. Not that bad anymore.

[@sal2975]

Well he did mention that it's not as bad as it was in the 90s

[@sal2975]

@@kiwijordan4515 It does make it better. It's a huuuuge difference from what it was in the 90s where he's at and the Eastside. Eastside you can walk anywhere if you're not dressed like a gangster now. So yeah, it's not that bad.

[@carolynbarraza1765]

Wilmington has alot of pride. The school stands are full at every football game. There's tiers of multi generation people that live there. This community is close and takes care if there own.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Carolyn!

[@RosDC]

I agree with you. Yes they really do take care of their own.

[@nameisconfusing142]

It’s true my mom and grandma knows almost everybody in wilmington

[@frankxah4866]

@@nameisconfusing142 chismosas.... Just like mine

[@panadero6666]

Wilmington is the worst ... I only say that because my ex lives there lol

[@antoniog2854]

@Ronald Calove me too....hate her so much

[@malcorub]

Your EX SUCKS but not as much as KAREN MAPPY!

[@marden888]

hahaha. ok.

[@1990758]

Lol

[@certifiedfinest5065]

@@antoniog2854 she give that good top tho?

[@marknemetz5020]

Latinos got it looking way better. Keep up the good work Wilmington!

[@NickJohnson]

For reals

[@victry1nolan319]

Imagine if Asians moved in...hella a lot BETTER!

[@bullseye7557]

@@victry1nolan319 Is that a challenge?

[@henkka6456]

@@victry1nolan319 not really, instead of folks having chicken running around, they'd have dogs

[@sal2975]

@@henkka6456 I get random chickens walking into my yard waking me up in the middle of the night. Lol

[@ramsal6013]

Wilmington is the connect. The history this place has is amazing. May be ghetto but theres much worse in LA

[@JJPineda1114]

I grew up between Gage and Florence on Vermont. I think it looks downright nice now compared to how it looked back in the pre-1980's. But I look back at those times of my youth with some nostalgia. Maybe it's just the passing years and my memories playing tricks on me. Thank you for the video.

[@Prolificposter]

How bad can it be? Most of the houses don’t even have bars. I lived a few miles north of here from 1983-2003. Had to install burglars bars, which the first burglar defeated, had 2 more after that. Prostitutes and drug trafficking on nearby South Figueroa and at least one drive by on my street. I think that was worst than anything I saw in this video,

[@saynotop2w]

When I did uber before covid 19, this was my daily routine driving from orange county to LAX. It's not clean, but it's not that dangerous. Gangbangers don't fuck with people that are not other gangbangers unless they look real dumb and exploitable.

[@tifstar700]

I'm from NYC area, north jersey, and when I moved to southern cali, I was shocked at how cute and clean the 'bad areas' are. Like, east coast hood places look like it, but in cali every neighborhood looks nice

[@iceebluu3572]

The buildings aren't as old compared to east coast

[@thecorazons2011]

Go To Watts bro, the West Coast version of St Lawrence or Castle Hill in the South Bronx

[@staytoxic6238]

I’ve lived in Wilmington the majority of my life and I got to say that it’s not as bad as it seems. Yes there are bad parts but there are always going to be parts of every city that are going to be “bad”. If you would have driven down certain streets you would have seen nicer areas and nicer houses just like there would be in any other city.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok

[@malisamendoza7987]

I am a home owner in Wilmington Calif A historical city located in the heart of the Harbor! Where we have a VFW Hall with most of our residents including my father in law from World War 2 and my brother in law from Vietnam War My husbands family has lived here in the city of Wilmington for over 200 hundred years and my family in Carson for over a hundred years! I am very offended by the false information you have shared! Wilmington is a historic town with So much History located at Banning park is our beautiful Banning mansion located in the park they do offer tours and field trips from different schools throughout Los Angeles also historical mansions on six adjacent streets from the park, we also have the famous Drum Barracks We also have brand new schools that have been built and The Brand new Waterfront Park Most of our residents are homeowners and are employed with Union Jobs as Longshoreman at the Port of LA , Contractors, refinery, Kaiser Hospital or own There own businesses We take pride in our city that we live in and we do not want to be miss represented by you! PS the junk yards are on the outskirts of the city closer to Long Beach

[@synthrealitygames]

1:15 that meat market has the best carne asada in the south bay.

[@californianative4253]

I’ll have to try it, from Santa Ana and been up here for about two years and haven’t found a decent spot yet

[@tinadesmond6281]

That's not South Bay area

[@melodymontana5370]

there's one street with beautiful old money million dollar homes Banning Blvd very impressive i wonder who can afford them if not passed down these are very expensive houses now

[@jamgarza1]

Yup just up the street from Banning Park

[@paulhodireff9260]

I take it you're exempt from stopping at stop signs?

[@jdi5909]

As much as you think it’s run down, its gotten better over time. Also, when you speak of gang violence its just 3 massive gangs tbh and thats it. They kept it oldschool. None of that South Central environment where every other block is a different gang. Its peaceful as long as you dont mess with the wrong crowd.

[@Milkshakeman133]

That’s Crazy bro you really didn’t highlight Banning High School which is known for athletes , even in the NFL. You didn’t go to Banning Park and see all the HUGE HOMES and didn’t even go to the port or Bannings Landing. You really need to do your homework before you say “worst neighborhood in LA”. That’s 🧢

[@NickJohnson]

i dont know what youre talking about

[@lamurcielaguita]

@@NickJohnson wack

[@dub21city12]

@@NickJohnson maybe if you knew what you’re talking about then you would

[@georgegeller1902]

Vince Ferragamo.

[@Makayla-q1g]

I lived here my whole live and from what experience I have you shouldn’t really judge a neighborhood by its cover, and it’s definitely not your place judge my neighborhood with just a glance. I live in Wilmington

[@miketatum9321]

Wilmington is definitely nowhere near the worst neighborhood in la.

[@Johndoe10007]

At least there’s no homeless people. This outlying location isn’t a prime enough location for the homeless tent 🏕 people

[@sweetmapleleafs]

The part youre referring to Sex Offender Row (Megans Law Lowlives). The homeless go to Skid Row.

[@sunburstflower2189]

They all got sent to San Bernardino

[@Jaylinjamerson]

They’re in central and west LA where all the money is that’s why lol Venice beach is the new skid row

[@lesliie5022]

there’s these neighborhoods by banning park that are pretty amazing to look at! the houses are super nice. should’ve shown that

[@rymtotheprime11]

To me southern area like Florida, California , Hawaii, Arizona, could never have bad looking neighborhoods , I mean the palm trees are just so damn beautiful, this doesn’t look half as bad as Chicago’s ghetto

[@NickJohnson]

La can't afford to let shit get too rundown it's too expensive real estate wise

[@Soul56293]

As a person from California and grew up in Long Beach I’ll say yes it’s not as bad as Chicago but don’t be fooled by the palm trees and beauty. Being in the wrong areas stuff can still go down badly.

[@EduardoGonzalez-sm8vd]

Proud of my city!! This guy didn't have to bash it like that. It's not that bad just stay out of the gang lifestyle. I've seen much worse in other cities. 👐

[@user-dz7dm1tv1z]

Awkward moment when he’s in your neighborhood...

[@NickJohnson]

Wave next time

[@hectorpulido3066]

Don't come judging the neighborhood bro go somewhere else

[@rodrigo591ify]

Anthropologists in the distant future will refer to these videos as, "The Johnson Archives". They will also be forever puzzled and entertained by Mappy.

[@NickJohnson]

Haha maybe

[@judemelroses9920]

Went to Wilmington to process serve. A certain section of the city was extremely overwhelming and scarier than any other neighborhood here in LA.

[@starbabi77]

The worst part was your negativity and the eerie so called music.....I love my city of Los Angeles....hard working people, you left that part out. 🙄😐

[@user-yj7le1ci8v]

I have a good friend in law enforcement that worked that area for 10 years and it is a super hub for the drug cartel and human trafficking. Like most hoods, everything chances when the sun goes down.

[@NickJohnson]

People want to see rundown buildings and fallen down shit but LA is too expensive to let homes go unused so they don't let them get too bad

[@jonlouis2582]

Yikes.

[@brianacruz8354]

Facts it’s really dangerous at night

[@gentillydanny]

I think your videos are getting more interesting as I go through them. I'm glad you added music to the drive arounds; it smooths them out, they flow better. I found this video much easier to watch than the Orange County video of Santa Ana because you seemed to focus more on the sidewalks rather than just overviews. Good work and thanks.

[@NickJohnson]

noted!

[@jaddison1112]

This video is outdatred and false view of Wilmington. Wilmington Summer weather is cooler than 95% of SoCal. Wilmington is near many surf beaches and is literally right on the ocean. The air is clean most of the time, and the LA/LB Harbors are bannng all fossil fuel engines soon, ships trucks dockside equipment, only electric.

[@TeamAyala24]

I miss California, this video made me feel sad 😞

[@gemstoneprincess2890]

Same here

[@Spongenado]

Same

[@neckofthewoodsupdated7549]

Hey Folks? Just Think, to live in the Nice and Safe Neighborhoods that You just witnessed and viewed in This Video; You'll have to pay at least $1,600 a Month Rent for a 1 Bedroom Apartment, to live in one of these Lovely Neighborhoods that You seen. Think about that....

[@melodieeisenberg6888]

My hometown. Many of the friends I grew up with still live here. There is a community that has been there for generations. Thank you for this video.

[@davidbruceperez]

Visited a friend in New Jersey, I live in L.A and consider my neighborhood the hood. Little did I know its worse outside of L.A 💀😳

[@karinaaa6573]

Wow Wilmington is so beautiful! Even tho you only captured like 1/4 of the neighborhood you still got a good view. IM GLAD TO BE FROM WILMINGTON! 💙.....I have been raised here my whole life.

[@aurelienmatthews6511]

There are plenty of neighborhoods like that in Miami and Dade county.

[@justinajones3000]

Exactly. And I notice you didnt say "North Miami", either.

[@R3S0LVER_]

it always makes me a bit sad when ppl call the place i grew up around in one of the worst :(

[@rudyalan2440]

I once lived in Santa Ana, on Tammy Ln., near the river. About 1956. We had a new house with orange trees! It was very nice, safe and a great place. You want to see ghetto, go to the south side of Chicago, Gary Indiana, Detroit! What you described as poor in $400K homes, is not poor. Those homes looked well kept.

[@NickJohnson]

i agree rudy that's why i put these together - to lend perspective.

[@jlc1565]

What's so wrong with this neighborhood? It looks exactly like every other working-class hood here in LA. Houses look nice and upkept, I don't see a lot of trash or graffiti. Why vilify the working class like this? (the "scary" music is hilarious btw - "OMG IT'S A LIQUOR STORE!!!!" *cowers*

[@m.miller2374]

You wouldn’t see window bars and fences until the early eighties.

[@trevortat]

Nice. Would love to visit Los Angeles someday.

[@SouLoveReal]

Nick: That creepy music you're playing sounds very much like the music from *the film, "Assault On Precinct 13,"* which took place in a "fictional" rough neighborhood of Los Angles County - where I believe much was filmed on location in Wilmington-CA (coincidence).

[@briannacobarruvias7823]

I grew up here and I can say unless you grew up here you might think that Wilmington is like every other “poor city” but once I live here and see and hear and witness all the crime that goes around then you would understand he should show when it’s around 4-6 that’s when most action takes place during the day time the most

[@kimberleezavala5138]

i disagree how can you claim its the worst when you haven't lived there most of your life and haven't experienced some of the good things from Wilmington.

[@alexxxcast5512]

The only person commuting crime there is you when you drove through that red light 😂

[@jenna2026]

Search by zip code and crime rate usually help. North Hollywood has better areas than other parts of North Hollywood. Many foreign investors buy these properties online sight unseen and then turn them into rental properties...often times the apartments listed on the internet are usually in zip codes in bad areas.

[@davejohnson5479]

Houses seem nice and kept up. It looks like people are trying to keep the neighborhood decent. Lots of on street parking too.

[@NickJohnson]

Yes they sorta try

[@trevortat]

@2:20-@2:32... did you went into the liquor store and bought some booze, Nick? Lol!!!

[@clowning81]

Looks pretty good and clean there.

[@sal2975]

Squeaky clean!

[@jaavee551]

Hey Bro your in my neighborHood. I enjoyed your video. Keep making them. Come back and film after the quarentine is over. See how people act. My hope is that it will get better, fat chance. If you go further South on Avalon toward the port, you'll see more like skid row. But I've lived in worst neighborhoods. You'll find good and bad in every neighborhood. The nicest people here are the first generation immigrants.

[@vind8185]

Anything on 110 before downtown is worse than Wilmington. I drove by at night it was mostly quiet. I only thought it was just industrial wasteland but nearby Carson is a decent place. Just watch police chase reports on news at night and you know where the real ghetto spots are lol

[@jefferywpettiford5721]

Wilshire area

[@jasperjohnson5898]

Didn't Cube film his video "Good Day" there? I know he spit them lyrics about that place a lot back in the day.

[@LeeLeeOuiOui]

I'm here for the palm trees 🌴😍

[@Msleelee08]

So what exactly did you see that was so terrible? I'm confused 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@notmyrealname7863]

Sweet soundtrack around the 5- 8 minute mark. Reminds of Terminator 1 for some reason.

[@gosnooky]

The thing about bad neighborhoods is the conspicuous absence of fast food chains - which usually spread everywhere like mold. Instead there are pawn shops, bail bondsman, liquor stores and the like.

[@friendlystranger167]

What happened to the north end of Wilmington? A little farther on and you could have made a side trip and shown the famous 'Signal Hill'.

[@Andrewtatesbiggestfan]

Yeah keep goin north and hit norfside Long Beach and paramount if you really tryna show bad parts of la county

[@azfarhameedkhan7117]

Why is he driving at the wrong side of the road? 😂😂

[@stuffandjunkandthings364]

I guess it might just be me, but that doesn't really look all that sketchy. I grew up in detroit in the 80's, and have spent a lot of time in some rougher places, so my perspective may be skewed.

[@NickJohnson]

its day and the sun was out.

[@stuffandjunkandthings364]

@@NickJohnson true.

[@agent4you2]

There's worse cities than that in L.A. Where are you getting your info?

[@thomasjean1345]

This city looks very nice. what with all those hateful fences?

[@bullseye7557]

He didn't go over the bridge next to banning park and one one street next to the park there are peacocks and you get use to air. D.Alc

[@marcossoberanes]

That was pretty cool of you to show this! Great video

[@susanjohnson7679]

Everything looks well kept.

[@NickJohnson]

yes you're right.

[@MarioRodriguez-gr8wc]

It would look better if the city did a better job in tree trimming. 😂

[@kenwes6560]

Cool, now do a video of my home neighborhod: Harbor Gateway South

[@TheMilpitasguy]

When it's bad, you know it's bad. This one didn't seem all that bad, to be honest. I've seen worse in Denver close to downtown.

[@NickJohnson]

That's how almost all of south la looks

[@martinsloan9785]

Even the palm trees looked tired.

[@NickJohnson]

True!

[@martinsloan9785]

Great channel Nick. The editing, content, and music. Bravo.