Let's Visit Kalamazoo, MI

Looks like a cool little town...I had a friend who was from Kalamazoo but I never been there.

[@scottman895]

Kalamazoo is a pretty nice city. I definitely would like to go back someday. Thanks for watching!

[@raregem3619]

I live in Kalamazoo. Great small city!

[@ndm9153]

Ommani Merry Kalamazoo is actually quite large. It's the second largest city on the West side of the state

[@ace9798]

Ommani Merry Not that great if your from the neighborhood i’m from😂

[@kango_kemp7508]

I live off the west side

[@lungchuaychannel809]

Ommani Merry my home portage

[@woolsfather5385]

is it right that it is the cheapest place to live ?

[@sjtalksandlife]

I like Kalamazoo..lots of great stores and resturants

[@scottman895]

I definitely will have to check out some of the restaurants there sometime!

[@daveevans7438]

Scott, just came across your video. Born and raised in KZoo. Some other things for your viewers. Kalamazoo was known as the " Mall City" due to our outdoor mall as you mentioned. Portage ( to our south) is known as celery city. All the shop owners got together and forced the city to open up the mall to one way traffic thinking it would help business get more drive by traffic. ( I didn't think it was a good idea. You can drive down it now, but there's no place to park. So you have to park and walk back down it anyway) The mall was always packed during the day and especially during the lunch hour with all the office workers. Some other historical information. Kalamazoo was the only place in the world to build the Checker cab. If you ever see a old movie with one, it came from KZoo. Gibson guitars started there. The building still stands. They moved to Nashville in the early 80s. Shakespeare rod and reels also started there. Building is still there. Bar now. You can also here people refer to KZoo as the paper city. It used to have many paper mills. Parchment paper was developed there. A small suburb of the city is named for it. Way back in the day railroad hand cars were built there and shipped around the world. In Australia they're known as Kalamazoo carts. Bell's brewery started there, moved major production out to Comstock but the Eccentric Cafe is still there. That's where it started. In May of 1980 three tornadoes came down through the city and basically wiped it out. But they built it back. The town is full of history. Big enough to have most things you want. But small town feel. The downtown is getting a well needed upgrade. Newer buildings are going up and people are moving to new apartments downtown. Good video! Thanks!

[@scottman895]

Thank you very much for all the interesting information! I'm glad to hear that the city is getting an upgrade. I would love to check it out when it is all done. Thanks for watching!

[@iammrbeat]

This is one of the most amazing videos I have ever seen.

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching! I'm really glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlescedricryder]

This is not "one of the most amazing videos I have ever seen" but it is one of the most amazing walking-in-Kalamazoo videos I have ever seen. Sadly google tells me that Kalamazoo has one of the highest crime rates in the US.

[@BeUnFiltered23]

@@charlescedricryder lived here for now 17 years no issues it gets rough some spots but like everywhere else mind own business and life should roll smooth

[@GabrielleZ]

*Kalamazoo is AWESOME!*

[@scottman895]

Oh yeah!

[@ladyofjazz448]

I visit Kalamazoo occasionally to visit my son, who lives there. Although there are some nice historical places there downtown, the city has become more run down than in previous decades. I do hope that it can come up from where it's at now. I love how you show all the positive parts though. It just goes to show you that there's beauty in everything. Thanks for filming!

[@scottman895]

Very nice! Kalamazoo is pretty nice, but I agree that some areas aren't the greatest. That's pretty much true with every city. I haven't been back in a few years though, so I wouldn't mind going back to see what is new there. Thanks for watching!

[@urbandweller9319]

Love Kalamazoo!!!… visited from Atlanta and decided to move there. It’s such a cute quirky town to live in with big city amenities without the headaches of big city living. Love biking the kal-haven trail and kayaking the Kalamazoo river. Plus a big bonus is the Amtrak rail service to other great destinations.

[@scottman895]

That's awesome! Kalamazoo is quite a nice city with plenty to do!

[@robinchapman252]

It was fun seeing Kalamazoo again I don't get out much I live in Scotts which is just a little ways from portage which is a little ways from Kalamazoo. I was born in Bronson hospital and I have lived in Kalamazoo on and off for 65 years and like I said it was cool seeing it again thanks.

[@scottman895]

Very nice! Thanks for watching!

[@petalburphy3710]

Thanks, great video, we are visiting early May from Nova Scotia.

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoy your visit to Kalamazoo!

[@alexlass18]

1:37 people more often call Portage (in Kalamazoo) Celery City. Celery farms were mostly there.

[@BeUnFiltered23]

yep pretty much kalamazoo

[@jordanlambert2247]

Is It Just Me Or Did You Guys Search The Name Of Your City And Also You Can See Me In This Video

[@BlindmanVlad]

Best Gamer I did

[@joshuafranz8766]

I did one hundo percent

[@sarahfrazier1387]

Yes. Yes I did

[@jasonjason7823]

Born at Borgess in 75, moved almost 3 yrs ago down south but I loved Kalamazoo. Great music scene, State theater is amazing and damn do I miss poor Richards omelettes. Mmmhh 😩😂

[@patrickmchale1857]

This is cool place to visit. Lots of stuff to do lime concerts & hockey games at Wings Statium.

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@sportscity823]

Yeah and my Fort Wayne Komets play against the K-Wings so I'm guessing we're rivals #LetsClipSomeWings

[@johnnycisneros6773]

This video might have settled my grad school decision. Well done 👍

[@scottman895]

That's great news! Good luck with your graduate studies! Thanks for watching!

[@travelingspanky6144]

Nice tour of Kalamazoo! I have a friend that lives there that was stationed with me when I was in the Army. I remember the first time he told me where he was from. I thought he was joking, lol. Just a funny name.

[@scottman895]

Thanks! I love a lot of the place names in Michigan as they are quite unique! Although the word "Kalamazoo" is derived from the Algonquin language, it is currently unknown or under debate where the name came from. Thanks for watching!

[@tomasinacovell4293]

Okay, but when are they ever going to be finished the unfinished south side of the The Exchange, it's still bare looking and doesn't match the rest of the building?

[@Crunkowski]

You’re awesome man. I wish you well

[@scottman895]

Thank you very much! You too!

[@GrkG63]

The sculptures were a part of the reflecting pond that was there since the 1800s

[@scottman895]

Neat! That's very cool!

[@sariahrobinson3968]

Wow! Good vid. Last view of the fountain at Bronson park.

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexlass18]

@@scottman895 If you ever come back you should see it in December the decorations are beautiful!!

[@scottman895]

@@alexlass18 That's great to know! Thanks for sharing!

[@Unv4l]

I live in Kalamazoo

[@justhamza6336]

That was the good ol days

[@TheHaleyville62]

This guy is a Great tour guide

[@ogsillyrocc23]

I bought a 1991 Cadillac Deville, and on the back it has Kalamazoo, and the Registration said Ann Arbor, I google the address and it was a very prestine looking neighborhood, they drove to So Cal, 91k great looking good car

[@scottman895]

That sounds awesome!

[@nosiakul434]

Is there bar at Stadium Drive still there? I haven't been to Kalamazoo almost 20 years, but I used to live in Forest Hills.

[@scottman895]

Do you recall the name of the bar? I know Stadium Drive is a major road in the area, and there is probably a lot of them.

[@nosiakul434]

@@scottman895 Wayside West sports bar

[@scottman895]

@@nosiakul434 Thanks! Unfortunately the bar has closed down permanently.

[@nosiakul434]

@@scottman895 It had been opened for likes 50 years

[@scottman895]

@@nosiakul434 That's sad to hear then. I wonder if it closed because of the pandemic?

[@anyb5020]

Kalamazoo is fun!!!!

[@scottman895]

Totally!

[@candyland613]

Love your video coming to visit soon,I have never been to Michigan.I'm from southern Indiana.Is weed Recreational there or just medical

[@scottman895]

Michigan is definitely a great state to visit. Michigan passed a proposal back in November 2018 legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes for ages 21 and older. Before that, it was available for medicinal purposes only.

[@BACKPACKINGBRITS]

Woah didn't realise it had such stunning scenery hope all is well on your travels.

[@mikesawyer4707]

My home town, Kalamazoo.

[@shivaagarwal4093]

Mike Sawyer How's the city like? I'll be joining WMU this year and would love to explore the city.

[@mikebrown1741]

My home town too!

[@clintonzantjer8396]

Im from kzoo some the things you said I didn't snt even know lol

[@BeUnFiltered23]

the other bronson got name after titus cuz that where moved after getting kicked out!! i believe bronson was never there till titus went there and pretty much built that city or village too!!!

[@eklevareci3693]

Great Video ! 👍

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@danatiocolasanti8381]

Also let me correct this guy. There was two founders of the city. That's why one side of the city's roads fallow the river in the lay out of them and the other half is designed in grid pattern with the roads. To different minds felt the roads should be laid out in two different ways.

[@scottman895]

Thank you for the correction! I'm not sure how I didn't see that when I was looking up information about Kalamazoo. That is rather interesting however!

[@richardchoy4834]

Nice video, when is the best to visit Kalamazoo ?

[@scottman895]

Thanks! Kalamazoo is usually nice most of the year although the winters are prone for a lot of lake effect snow. I was very lucky when I went back in January as it was unusually warm.

[@kango_kemp7508]

May or june best time

[@Boomer-cf2br]

Never...lol

[@tonicook6003]

Portage is known as the celery city.

[@BeUnFiltered23]

for sure summer all those downtown activities are awesome and we got wings!!!!

[@pablop9849]

I am visiting this weekend. Great video!

[@scottman895]

Awesome! I hope you have a great time! Thanks for watching!

[@heavensstars4025]

Very nice video!😇

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@christopherhodshire6058]

Did you know downtown Kalamazoo streets and sidewalks are all heated Scott? No need to plow snow. 1st in the country

[@scottman895]

That's awesome! More cities should invest in that technology!

[@christopherhodshire6058]

True but Holland city, Michigan downtown has 60 miles of heated streets and sidewalks and plan to make more

[@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia]

Scottman895 Travel Scott I am a urban planner , social scientist and an expert on cool cities initiatives. Come back to Kalamazoo in May or June and meet with me and make a new video since the downtown landscape changed a lot since your last visit

[@jkuri89]

My city! Beer city ;)

[@scottman895]

Kalamazoo is quite awesome!

[@MichiganUSASingaporeSEAsia]

Home to the doctoral ranked research university “Western Michigan University” and the private but notable liberal arts college and the oldest in our state, “Kalamazoo College” . Both are as unique as the city of Kalamazoo

[@kurukblackflame]

Good vid :)

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@ericmccord1601]

Been there a few times love it plus its a growing city, just stay away from the northend and Southend and u should be strait.

[@BeUnFiltered23]

growing fast look at gull road and even stadium and west main almost new westnedge

[@mbembamaba3999]

so nice

[@scottman895]

Thanks for watching!

[@antony5430]

I have got a girl in kalamazoo.🎶🎵🎼🎺🥁

[@EchadLevShtim]

At the starting clip is the most dangerous crosswalk. You may die if you walk to the courthouse.

[@sariahrobinson3968]

Several youth and senior citizen groups unite yearly, to groom and maintain DR. M.L.KING PARK.

[@scottman895]

That is really awesome!

[@BeUnFiltered23]

my fam goes down there once a month to hand out food pick up trash and etc also preach good ole mlk

[@sammybubba176]

you missed the great floods where folks were jetskiing and kayaking down down town. still a great little town.

[@scottman895]

Really? I had no idea about that happening! How long ago was the city flooded?

[@sammybubba176]

@@scottman895 - february 2018

[@scottman895]

Thanks! I had no idea that happened!

[@sammybubba176]

@@scottman895 - i found one of the jetskiing videos on youtube. there are others on facebook but i don't know how to link. the youtube search is:kttZ5dOo6AA

[@scottman895]

Thanks for sharing!

[@andreychernov2762]

Hallo,weather is bad?

[@scottman895]

It was not too bad that day although Kalamazoo can be very cold and snowy in the winter.

[@TheAshtonNorman]

You know what's funny, every town in Michigan has a Michigan avenue

[@scottman895]

I haven't noticed that to be honest, but I'll have to be on the lookout in each Michigan city or town I visit now!

[@maggiedoja]

Mmm ya know, not many states or cities have that.

[@lorenenoe4472]

Just found your channel, used to live in Kzoo and miss it! A friendly suggestion, please don't talk from the center of the shot, you block so many views, less selfie time please, when you turn your head we cannot hear you. Good luck with these tips. Thanks.

[@scottman895]

Thank you very much for the suggestions! Although I have made changes to my vlogging style since this video, these are very good pointers. I need to be more careful even today when I turn my head and I still speak. In the newer videos, I've been making sure that if I am in the camera trying to show something, I also try to show the subject in full. It's a work in progress. Thank you for the comment, and thanks for watching!

[@robbiehernandez8019]

I live in Kalamazoo for 6months out the year the other 6 I live in LA...I like both. LA gives you the high life of living in a big city while Kalamazoo is a great small city.

[@scottman895]

That is really cool that you get to experience both types of lifestyles! Big cities and small cities both have their different perks!

[@sjtalksandlife]

Robbie Hernandez thats my goal is to live in both places..what do you do for work?

[@danatiocolasanti8381]

Ah Kzoo, come on vacation and leave on probation. Jk great city and lived there a good part of life. Lots to do but it does have some rough spots. Like any city in MI it was hit hard with the unemployment and lack of work.

[@scottman895]

I can agree as I know someone who used to live there. Some areas are quite nice where other areas are not so much.

[@wallflower4212]

I live there and it's weird cause I know where he is standing lol

[@churchRedvsBlue]

It's haunted but don't bring it to your place and just don't say anything about the ghost and also don't make it actrack to your home beware of the ghosts

[@karmaniwilliams1420]

I live there

[@user-c1uyz]

Kalamazoo is a great recognizable name lol

[@scottman895]

It certainly is, lol!

[@amberjones4293]

I also live in kalamazoo

[@kango_kemp7508]

Aye i live in kalamazoo

[@maddisonjay5698]

I live here.. not too fond of it anymore. A very high crime rate.

[@thomaskeene9697]

I live in Dowagiac, Michigan

[@dannythesongissocooleverli4340]

I live in Kalamazoo👍👍👍🖕💋

[@modestpublican1617]

Shitty place

[@shivaagarwal4093]

How's the city like? I'll be joining WMU this year and would love to explore the city.

[@rubymakena6134]

I live here

[@annaschreiner4975]

Too bad they took the foundation out!

[@hyper_blake465]

I live in Coloma

[@moonlite7658]

I was born here but now im not there

[@nurlatifahmohdnor8939]

Kha = Arabic alphabet. Good for your throat. My mother teaches the kids until her false teeth come out on Qur'an! She is a fierce teacher at home. Moderate in school. Trained. Her father is fiercer. My grandfather.

[@DoA_lilc]

269 🥶

[@trevalrollins4407]

I live in Kalamazoo.boring town

[@nikolaleomitic2272]

I got a gal in kalamazoo

[@gavinstockton4351]

I live in kalamazoo

[@bekslater5827]

i live there

[@shivaagarwal4093]

Bek Slater how's the city? I'll join WMU this year and would love to explore the city.

[@alexlass18]

@@shivaagarwal4093 I’m sure you’ve lived here for a while now but If you haven’t been, Crow’s Nest is a great breakfast place if you have extra money. But if you want something to do for free there are a lot of good walking spots nearby. I love to walk in the Celery Flats of Portage.

[@shivaagarwal4093]

@@alexlass18 So I moved to Kzoo in 2019 and I love this area. It is small and quiet just like my city back in India. It is very close to Chicago and has some nice Indian stores and restaurants. I like WMU campus, Downtown, West Main street, Kzoo Farmers market. I would be exploring Celery Flats now. Thanks or the reply!

[@husseindarwiche9560]

i live there

[@shivaagarwal4093]

Hussein Darwiche How's the city like? I'll be joining WMU this year and would love to explore the city.