MISSISSIPPI: Dirt Poor Towns That Don't Seem Poor At All...In Fact, They Look Beautiful

[@Bandgreek]

Joe, I taught in Collins Mississippi for 7 years. Great people who have a lot of pride in their community. I have great memories from that place.and I have been to that Jr. food Mart many times .Collins is a great place to live. And we played Taylorsville all of the time. Thanks for the plug. If you go throught there again , try Main Street Cafe in Collins. Home cooking!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It’s a beautiful small city. I was impressed.

[@glendapalms1686]

talking about poor...when there no Corp there...? like folks need so much money to live ...to survive...Yah ...survive... happy and comfortable... ( now yall try Him )...😊

[@marthakierstead3415]

Beautiful well kept small towns . You can tell the residents take pride in their homes . Thanks Joe and Nic for another great video!

[@hisforheretic1765]

That no trespassing sign kind of explains the low crime rate😂😂😂😂

[@blackdiamond696]

😅😅😅

[@TinkerTailor4303]

Other than misspelling trespassing, it's pretty daunting.

[@DM-lq8hc]

I like it 👍

[@gregormcintosh1902]

Love watching these towns in the US. I'm from Brisbane (Scotland originally) and we love seeing these American towns. You do a good job showing and explaining them and very interesting too. Thank you! Just a thought... On this video you passed a hospital... Have you ever thought of seeing if people like maybe receptionists would talk on camera maybe telling us what it's like to live in their lovely town?

[@barbarathompson7983]

I noticed in all these towns there was no trash on grounds. Clean and nice all around. Way to go Mississippi.

[@umrmech84]

Yep. Just because people are less well off doesn't mean that they don't take pride in what they have. A lot of other areas could take a lesson from them.

[@katherinekibbe4254]

Definitely has trash Hun unfortunately. I live next to prentiss

[@unicornglitterypoop6336]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 You must have not seen the back roads in Mississippi lol 🤣😂 there have trash all over some places hide it will

[@robertmartinez4174]

there's no trash because there's no people 😁

[@Reese8531]

Right rural Mississippi looks better than every other rural state that I’ve seen, and it’s hardly no crime in rural Mississippi and it doesn’t look bad 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@Roy_Oy]

I see so much poverty on this channel and its incredibly concerning, and then you show us a town like this one and it restores some of my hope for this country. It just makes me wonder how these towns can look so beautiful and well maintained, and then the next town can look practically apocalyptic.

[@marywalker2896]

Just because your poor does not mean u have no pride. They have pride in there homes that some probably inherited from the older generation. And they love the look of beauty. My mama once told me just because your poor does not mean u don’t know what water is. It took me as a child to figuare out what she meant. It simply Meant they knew how to take a bath and become presentable. They took pride in there appearance.

[@Denaligirljodie]

I’m from Oregon but my dads brother years ago married a woman from Mize MS which is just north of Taylorsville. I went and visited a few years back and I remember my uncle driving me into Taylorsville and we went to that Piggly Wiggly. It’s weird because I didn’t realize it but when I was watching your video I thought wow that kind of looks familiar, so I decided to look up where my uncle lived and sure enough that is where we went. My uncle has since passed RIP, uncle Paul. His wife is still alive and living in the area. I’ve been to that area of Mississippi twice now. It sure is beautiful there. I still have cousins that live in that general neck of the woods. It’s such a world apart from the Pacific Northwest. My uncle developed a southern accent while he lived down there for most of his life. We always thought it was funny when he would call and have a southern accent being that he’s from Oregon.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Great story! Thanks for the comment, I enjoyed it.

[@maryannanderson2213]

Your astonishment at finding low crime in a town with high poverty shows how brainwashed we are to believe that poor people must become thieves. I was raised in poverty. About the only "luxury" we had was electricity. We had no running water so no indoor plumbing. We had no television and no telephone. We had meat only rarely because we couldn't afford it. We ate plenty of vegetables because we lived in the country and we had a huge garden. We not only had lots of fresh vegetables in the summer but because our mother canned as much as she could get her hands on, we also had lots of vegetables all winter. Our clothes were either handmade by our mother or came from second-hand shops. The term "Thrift Shop" had not yet been invented. I went to my Junior Prom wearing my best Sunday dress because the thought of purchasing a fancy dress to wear only one time was not something that could be considered. I say this to show that we were clearly living in poverty. HOWEVER, the punishment would have been severe if mom and dad had learned that we stole something. We were never taught that because we were poor it would be acceptable for us to just steal what we needed. We either found a way to purchase it or we did without. PERIOD. BTW, this also showed that just as crime and poverty are not synonymous, neither is FILTH and poverty. Just because you're poor does not mean you have to live like a pig. Poor people do not have to live in squalor because it doesn't cost all that much to keep your house clean and to refrain from putting an old refrigerator or broken-down couch on your front porch and to not park derelict cars in the front yard or have old tires decorating the backyard. It appears that the people in this little town in Mississippi were raised to have a few morals even though they live in poverty. They also have apparently been taught that being poor doesn't mean they have to live in a nasty house surrounded by a junkyard for a lawn. My hat's off to them.

[@ryancoody7069]

It would be funny if crime here is low because the population is too old to do that shanagans anymore.

[@kristilewis3411]

The numbers are accurate if calculated by its own population and compared across years. Rural area statistics should not be compared nationally. But for these communities compared to neighboring metropolitan areas it’s low. In all areas across the Mississippi Pinebelt, if you are good to people-they are good to you; and if you mind your business and let people know “I got protection”-you can live a good life!

[@justoguillermomontoya3821]

Crime isn’t linked with poverty it’s linked with demographics.

[@amberpowell2609]

Poverty absolutely have an effect on crime rates and Ms towns prove it but if you have a strong enough community or a community that helps their neighbor calls out bs instead of turning a blind eye you can defeat it.

[@calvinhargett4760]

Love, your videos. Shows, the Good, the Bad, and ugly. Of the U.S.A. being retired, I would like travel the U.S.A. It’s still on my bucket list. Safe travels.

[@catholiccrusader5328]

Regarding Prentiss just because a town may be poor and uneducated necessarily means its people are scum. Maybe that town has a real sense of community.

[@Lalunabreeze]

I sure don’t feel that way. Wish I could move there.

[@JanesDough855]

I like seeing folks taking care of their yards. One doesn't have to be rich to cut their lawn.

[@johnlea8519]

Really enjoying your road trips, nice to see blue skies as it's grey and soggy here in England, the Creole Chicken looked delicious.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It was.

[@MrTopgun5150]

That’s awesome!! My dads side of the family is from Taylorsville and Collins. We were in Taylorsville Oct 14th. Going to pass this along to them. I would be cool to run into y’all sometime as I am a trucker. Keep up the great work!!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@kevinhoock9742]

Collins takes pride in their town and it shows !!!!

[@tomr6406]

Joe, I see you're heading south again and there's something I wanted to suggest in case you two kids head back to the New Orleans area. Three places you will love to eat at. 1) Pontchartrain PoBoys, Mandeville, fresh seafood , huge portions, 2)Bears PoBoys, Covington, best roast beef poboy sandwich anywhere, & 3)Rocky & Carlos, Chalmette, old New Orleans eats for the everyman. Nicole may like them, but you will absolutely love them. Large portions, high quality, reasonable prices of New Orleans finest eats.

[@analog_memories]

Bears is the best!!

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

Over in Slidell Pecks puts out Poboys that are ridiculously delicious. Make sure you go there on an empty stomach though.

[@recklessricksridingadventu3603]

Made you change your mind on my state,life is good and quiet here.Native of California but lived here for 48 years and going.

[@jr2no160]

Alright, you got the Chicken and RC. What about the Moon Pie? RC & a Moon Pie, a childhood favorite 😊

[@andrewphassos6363]

Mississippi definitely has some untapped potential on the gulf shores it’s just a shame that most of the land there either seems abandoned or unused for beach

[@feleciawallace8420]

Potential weather disasters...

[@indianaslim4971]

Hurricane Katrina wiped out Gulfport/ Biloxi and hasn't been completely rebuilt yet.

[@dorislacaze8475]

Most people in the south live within their means, and take pride in their homes an property, they’re good honest hard working people. Im from Louisiana close to the areas you visited when in the oakdale area just north of it about an hour from there,

[@annabay5734]

I’m a transplant and still adjusting but I appreciate your coverage of Mississippi. Enjoyed all the videos🥰

[@artsmart]

Living within your means, bingo! Nice town, low crime and I'll bet the folks are large on southern hospitality. Great video thx.

[@davidhewitt7315]

Poverty doesn't mean bad yardwork. I knew someone in Moultrie who mowed his yard with a handheld lawn cutter. No gas.

[@Agent627]

Man, these towns are blowing my mind. Clean AF. Nice, quiet. No commercialization. No traffic. No sirens. It’s almost surreal. I feel like it’s almost like a Twilight Zone episode or something and I am waiting for the twist at the end. It’s like I’ve always said. Even if you are poor or lower income you don’t have to be a messy pig. You can take pride in your place and community and keep it clean. Cleanliness is good. In today’s troubled times those places look like paradise. “Calgon take me away…” Hahaha.

[@dineoutdeliveries]

Nothing to do but watch a clock tik

[@alexandralovesgoats3360]

I love the neoclassical courthouse in Prentiss. Collins looks very nice. Lovely landscapes and homes. Good to see the cats. Your chicken looked great! Off to check out Areavibes! Thank you for a great video. Looking forward to your list and next video.

[@cecoya]

Pretty great little towns. Thanks for sharing and you have a great day with safe travels

[@dopeMike_]

Cool tour missed out on visiting M I crooked letter when I was back home.

[@AlldatJazz-rw9wy]

You guys are my amsr, or however that goes, for when I want to calm my mind. Keep doing what you. 🙏

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Wow, thank you

[@AlldatJazz-rw9wy]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip thank you for being a blessing. Godspeed.

[@benrodgers8567]

That RC brings back memories growing up in Kosciusko MS

[@thealexandrasupertramp]

Canadian here, I THOUGHT PIGGLY WIGGLY WAS JUST A TV THING!!!

[@marksnyder8022]

Did you have to "throw names" in Prentiss? When I made a shun-piking visit to Prentiss, my Mississippian friend thought I acted rashly and would be accosted by locals wanting to know my business. I never was. Your comment on the houses being nice tells the lie about Mississippi: it's supposed to be universally terrible. In truth, the Delta is bad, Jackson is a mess, and the rest is nice. The poverty levels are based on national standards. In many states, the people in those houses would be homeless. When you say "Does this town look poor to you?" You hit the nail on the head. Lots of Mississippi is like that. Cheapest housing in the country. And hospitals open in small towns. And cat friendly. 😉

[@IDontSuckAtLifeakaJanis3975]

They keep the windows shiny and clean even on the building that's falling apart. That's nice.

[@captncrunch2696]

Mississippi is a kept secret how nice it really is, your pulling back the curtain on us xD

[@trevr10]

Just started watching and as you had gas prices at the start, today in my part of the UK unleaded is the equivalent of $7.14 per US gallon.

[@fredgardner2870]

Sad stuff

[@usbankusa]

Thanks for sharing. Nice towns for retirements.

[@DZCamaro-kz2vd]

Just because you're low income or considered "poor", doesn't mean you don't have pride in your home or city! It cost very little to keep your lawn mowed and green and the garbage cleaned up.

[@Slick2462]

Joe, you are right! It is a very good day for cat sightings and firehouses. I like it alot.

[@jonathanlee5185]

👍Opening shot: the long road sparse of traffic, the sideways (not overhead) tree-canopy of wide branches, and the brilliant, still light from a windless & cloudless high sky -- all remind me of a William Faulkner novel. Classic. 👍 Skills from when you goofied with amatuer movie-making, Joe??

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Probably, lol. 😀

[@NativeNYer]

Great video! eye opener also on these towns. The chicken lunch looked great. Can I b so bold 2 ask how much that was cuz ya got a lot of food in there! Ty 4 taking us thru these towns. Hi 2 Nicole! Stay safe guys

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Around $8, RC included. 👍🙂

[@misterzero8667]

Have you ever visited high altitude towns in colorado ,fairplay,alma,leadville also some parts of oregon ,like senneca ,butns ,stanley ,crater lake

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

In the works. 😀👍

[@colinhamilton156]

Seems like good people there, love the way they have the American flags along the streets in town, so patriotic and making the best of what they have.

[@onthespotwithtaalibah983]

Thanks Joe. Hi Nicole. 😊

[@siphomogale779]

Sending love to everyone who watches this post

[@thatcanadianchick7589]

I love how you always get side tracked by a simple, little cat, lol !!!

[@ColleenJohnson-qo4uh]

Would love to move to Collins wonder if they rent house's there? Live off 4 thousands a month what a dream town

[@PreppingAngel]

I'd love you to tour Carthage, Gordonsville , Celina, Gainesboro, Cookeville, Livingston, All in Tennessee.

[@alanklein6910]

I love to watch your videos. It would be nice to find out about medical care in these towns. Now, about crime stats. I wonder if a city or town that has a low crime rate permits concealed carry. If so that may explain low crime rates. BTW, the sound on your videos is poor. In your car volume is very low and then suddenly picks up. Keep up the good work from a fellow Texan.

[@diannasmudshop8611]

Collins even has a water park. Many businesses moved out on the highway

[@gatorgogo2742]

Prentiss is gorgeous! I'd choose safety over high crime any day! love the sign on the store! The kitty looks like mine. 😻 Boy! your lunch looked good! Collins looks like a great place to live too! I've been considering the SE corner of Mississippi lately. It's nice too and the cost of living is very reasonable. Thanks for the tour.

[@leilasutton8233]

I live in the next county over from Prentiss. There are murders there that don't make the stats. We all just howled with laughter at the idea Jeff Davis County is safe.

[@kdk5331]

I remember the old Piggly Wiggly. It burned down. So that Piggly Wiggly is in the last 20 years. I still say it's "new." When I lived and went to school in Prentiss the crime rate was different. Shoot outs in town, robberies and so on. Now they don't have a public school and the population has shrunk, due to the poverty level you spoke of. But don't be fooled, it's not the quaint little town you think it is. Jefferson Davis county has a high drug problem.

[@irahandwerker8557]

looks like southcentral ga here great video thank you

[@daviddecelles8714]

The old stereotypes no longer apply. The numbers notwithstanding, these towns are populated by people who live comfortable, daily middle class lifestyles. They might prefer keeping it quiet.

[@Lonnie.Macs.Garage]

Man I love these vids! I graduated from French Camp Miss. Just up the Natchez Trace. Sure hope you made up there! That would be a hoot.

[@lavenianapier917]

Collins has a water park! It recently had a zoo but they shut it down.

[@hankprice2557]

Take Hwy 35 from 49 north of Hattiesburg up to Kosciusko. You will be surprised. Mize, Raleigh, Forest, Carthage, Mt Olive, Walnut Grove, Kosciusko. Just saying.

[@hankprice2557]

Breakfast at Vowell’s Market(Forest) Ummm truest Mississippi breakfast

[@mariesheppard3750]

Wow is right A+ town for sure, nice homes and yards sad about the down town,

[@TinkerTailor4303]

Is the fried chicken what put Collins on your Best Small Towns list?! Man, that did look good!😋😋

[@johnpollard4158]

The only downside to all those towns is that they are right in tornado alley. They've been hit by some EF4 twisters. Oh, JR is Junior Food Mart.

[@jennbasil]

I could use that top 10 list sooner rather than later, my friend ❤

[@screenapple1660]

Houses is really big too. Much bigger than NYC expensive housing.

[@sisterSarah364]

Mr. Joe you love cats, I do too🤗👍🏾🌱🍀🌿⚘️

[@that_camo_bronco_guy]

you should check out parsons, kansas, lotta abandoned homes, seems like a dying town, stayed there for a week, really close to Picher, OK too, so that would be a good stop on a trip in my opinion.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I have visited Parsons, as well as Picher! :) The video is on the channel here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3rcmatsrblgiZo

[@proteus404]

Whenever I see these videos I hope you have with you emergency supplies(food,water, spare tire/jack, battery jumper, etc) last thing I would want is to get stuck in some of these places.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I do! :)

[@lyndacrymes6070]

Hello! 😊 because you were in a Southern part of Mississippi, I would love to see New Hebron! Very close to where you were.

[@jerroldmcley4347]

My niece moved to ocolana miss will get through there

[@earnest1212]

thats because you are seing what we call old money, they make little but thing is most already have tons of money, but for some reason they dont spend it on the building in town they spend it on there houses cars cleaning and farms, and the sign they are not joking my sister lived there , funny thing is you dont see the people but they see you and know you are there , you are what they call a outsider so you want see lots of people.

[@birdsofprey3312]

Hello, I recently became a subscriber and have enjoyed your journey across the country, kind of makes me jealous as I would love to do what you’re doing. Anyways I check out a early video of a tour of Austin, you mentioned you bring your own TV because of subscriptions do you still do this? There are options when it comes to this.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We carry a Roku around with us. It works well. 👍

[@mikefenton7491]

It's called pride in what we have

[@annettebrunette1402]

Found your channel yesterday and enjoying discovering the small towns ... I think it’d be interesting if you’d find the historic Masonic Temples - see how close they are to the courthouses ... heard in one of your videos you like Kit Carson - he was a Mason (in case you didn’t know)

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Interesting!

[@WASKAKERD]

HI SIR JOE CAN YOU TELL ALL THE WEATHER FOR YOUR NEXT VIDEO WATCHING FROM PHILIPPINES❣❣❣

[@dopeMike_]

The clouds is crying and dee sun es tampo!

[@normanreed572]

As for the crime rate: They probably have a no-nonsense chief of police or sheriff and it all ties in to the sign you showed on the building about trespassing being met with gun fire. Our country would be way better off if all the people operated like that.

[@Lalunabreeze]

Low income. Most have to be on public assistance. How else would anyone be able to make it. I love the towns. Seriously, I’m amazed. Dang, that chicken box looks goooood..

[@virgilkennedy6692]

Those houses probably belong to employees of the Hospital.

[@Oldmaninthestream]

Great video Joe this one is a real sales pitch to get myself out of California.

[@TheAsif5182]

i think we must have a house to spend holidays or vacatiom there to taste the life way back from cities and lights ,i love to live there as villagers lives their live's and urban area ,but rural areas are bit out of choice though .

[@danielsmith2447]

Rolls are called biscuits in the south

[@georgekelly9797]

Great video as usual joe. I liked the chicken food review on the great chicken. Joe, can you show your video equipment, it does a good job and what do you use for editing? Thanks.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I use a DJI Pocket 2 camera, and I edit with Avid Media Composer. 😀 That said, I do have the new DJI Pocket 3 on the way. It’ll have even better imagery than the 2.

[@deehoward2351]

Nice video. You stated that it wasn't what you expected to see in some of the towns. In many small towns in the south, the sides are separated by the railroad tracks. You were on the "good" side of town. A few miles in another direction, you would have seen the poor side.

[@GrnXnham]

I know what you mean but during his video, when driving through Collins, he commented that "the entire town was like this."

[@deloiscallaway9442]

Right On Joe Creole Fried Chicken and a RC Soda Amen Brother

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right on!! 👍😀

[@AlanMedina314]

I live in a city with over 30k people and yet our fire station is smaller and less equipped than a town with over 2000 people.

[@JJJBRICE]

We wont tell Lady Spoda about your early lunch Creole Fried Chicken from the gas station . It will be our secret . A three cat day !

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Right!

[@0000Duke0000]

They may be poor but they're culturally homogeneous and seem to cherish traditional values like respect for yourself, your town, your neighbor and fear of God.

[@bluelava4282]

Q? Any restaurants? It’s the afternoon right? 68,000.00 🏡 for a home…. Awesome

[@brendaking7352]

Please do Parma, MO.

[@Gen.WhiteHonky]

mississippi has some of the biggest estates ive ever seen

[@corinamoser423]

Poor doesn't mean your homes and yards have to be dirty and full of junk and trash!

[@RogueAOV]

I do wonder with all those nice neighborhoods how much of it is passed down homes that are taken care of. If you do not have a mortgage or rent to pay for then a fairly low paycheck will go a lot further as i assume the property taxes in such a "poor neighborhood" will not be too bad. I would also assume with so much poverty government assistance pulls a ton of the weight keeping things going.

[@waysmomo2267]

Please don’t think this post is being disrespectful. You are in communities that work the system. The median age is so young because they choose to not work and have babies. Most of the houses have nice cars in the yard, if there is a nicer house next to a run down house they are claiming head of house on each if they have a man. Each person in the house gets 11,000 including the children. They get free healthcare,EBT cards, and the use of food banks and most churches give them clothes and they sign up for all their Christmas free through the Salvation Army. I personally know a lady that will let other people use her EBT card, if you spend $100 you give her $50 cash. Like I said, they are working the system.🤷🏼‍♀️

[@carolkokx9638]

Where is your proof that they get given that much money

[@wossamatteru]

It does make one wonder how a family makes it on less than 30k a year and is living in a house. You don't see many multi-family units in the towns. You also don't see much industry. So how do they generate income? Government jobs or government subsidies?

[@feleciawallace8420]

I believe you're 100% correct, many folks that live in those houses, small towns especially Southern towns, are on welfare government assistant section 8 vouchers.

[@SERBIAZ]

@@carolkokx9638common sense

[@carolkokx9638]

The thing is you can say anything on here

[@siphomogale779]

I love this rural towns poverty is not a reason for doing crime

[@randygyulay5114]

What day of the week did you visit?

[@balancedfordaylight1]

It seems to me that the gov does not adjust for cost of living when they come with poverty figures, also loving the cat sightings.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You’re right. The US Census has a “Supplemental Poverty Measure” which does take cost of living into account. As soon as I figure out how to access it I will begin using it in my videos.

[@DeBeard]

Riches n Poors, popularized.

[@rocky6965]

10:21 Hold up 😮

[@teresap268]

A lot of good information.

[@KevYo55]

I think you may be mistaken about living well on little money..i think what you were seeing was OLD MONEY in those particular spots...ijs

[@sharonatl]

Poverty In who’s opinion the government? According to them, I live below the poverty level, I can’t afford to buy a new car but so what ! my 2008 Toyota is still running, I can’t afford to do a lot of traveling, but so what I’m content where I am I have a good community good fellowship, I have most of all a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. and that’s the most important thing because it guarantees my future is wonderful for eternity… Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to The Father except through me.John 14:6

[@Daniel-ow2io]

You are the man. Well said. Growing up in the 50's, people did not have the wants that they do today.

[@DZCamaro-kz2vd]

GREAT COMMENT! I agree 100%! It cost nothing to be saved!

[@jessesmith8578]

Lol lame

[@ImionsaeXwb77]

$3.37 Damn, we're at $2.74

[@68hitnmiss76]

What is the industry for the towns you go through? Where’s everyone work….

[@stevenherrold5955]

i notice a lot of towns that you visit have lost a lot of their population im wondering where did these people go and WHY do so many people insist on living in new york if someone offered me free cost of living plus a million $$$ a year to live in N Y i would SAY NO THANK YOU !!!! and some people would take it i like my middle size town not to big not to small quiet but not dead as a doornail TOWN . TO THE READER i live in topeka kansas if you never been hear you don't know what your missing EVERY TOWN HAS the poor section but we DO NOT HAVE A SLUM SECTION OF THE CITY

[@PJPHARM]

I think the data is off. Maybe alot of income not reported if they have a lot of retired citizens there who have family money or huge pensions living in these cities.