Montgomery, Alabama | What Happened To This Place?

Montgomery, AL has some REALLY rundown and poverty stricken areas. It's also high in crime so it can be a really dangerous place to be, depending on where you are. The center of the Civil Rights movement, this place has a lot of history to it. The city has been improving some of the areas as time goes by and has made progress but today I'm going to drive through some of the worst and most dangerous parts of Montgomery, Alabama. Let's check it out!

[@oo7oo767]

I ride through these streets everyday going to work and heading home but, watching this made me realize that I normalized this scenery as being okay. It's not okay at all!

[@hoodsnhollers]

You’re not alone on that, I did it for most of my life thinking it’s normal

[@cindybibb6174]

It's not ok the city allow owners to pay taxes buy they don't do code enforcement.

[@vdubskiee5356]

@@cindybibb6174 LOL code enforcement? who are you citing? the banks? city hall? these are mostly abandoned properties so???

[@Mr_Nonsenssee]

I have been living in Montgomery, Alabama for my entire life I lived in both the middle/rich and ghetto areas and it isn't terrible. I have grownup fine it all really depends WHERE in this city you live but the worst part is that Montgomery is so boring

[@KennyErwin]

I lived there for almost 3 years and A lot of people and businesses shifted to the East Side of Montgomery. It's a shame That the decay in those areas is starting to creep outward. Thank you for the video!

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks for watching!

[@brendayoungblood9484]

Montgomery like most cities have good and bad parts.

[@205inoucme]

That’s absolutely right☑️

[@56cadd]

Really ?

[@dominique0115]

Exactly, we still have a lot of great thriving neighborhoods and businesses.

[@jamesmcinnis208]

It do?

[@coffeeadams6769]

You and billion others have said that. We know!

[@sharonfuller4303]

I've lived here over 40 years. With a city as large as this there are bound to be parts where people don't take care of their properties. Someone owns the property and the owner should be taking care of it.

[@kfoster3616]

indeed

[@living-wellon-less5669]

What a dump, still better than Detroit though!

[@louiserawle8999]

Why can't these places be fixed up and made liveable for the homeless of America.

[@tonyburzio4107]

Because those who would do the fixing were the ones who created and grow the problem for their own professional advancement?

[@gavinrayne7922]

They can be. Feel free to start making the initial investment. When others see the progress you're making, they'll jump on board.

[@205inoucme]

@@tonyburzio4107 I moved to Montgomery 3 years ago for my job. I see a lot of questions in this comment section, your response proves you have the true answer and you understand the dilemma… 🎯

[@jomama5186]

I see lots of potential!

[@josephj.6478]

Downtown Montgomery is doing a lot better now too, used to look all like that.

[@ladesigner8764]

Agree! Restore those old houses! Unless the crime is bad and not a safe place to live?

[@ronaldshumaker6256]

I grew up in montgomery. Believe me back in that time,the late 50s and 60s it was a nice place. We all know what happened!

[@cheryllcarter3072]

It's sad to see all the abandoned houses and that beautiful church... Glad I came upon your videos from watching another Vlogger that does the same as u ...but yours show ALOT more good and bad parts ....TY

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thank you so much for watching and for the kind compliment!

[@dennislyles9920]

When people don't have any respect and don't try to take care of things it will end broken.

[@cdee75]

It comes down to employments if the main source of income leaves so does the neighborhood.

[@rosanelson1373]

My hometown in Marion, Alabama looks like a Ghost town also. When I go through it now it makes me want to cry because I still remember it as a town full of life back in the day.

[@jamesthefisherman1060]

It seems like many upper midwest and deep south cities have returned to nature

[@vickisawyer7405]

The saddest parts of these videos are the abandoned churches. That cemetery didn't look so peaceful either. That one mansion on the hill - I would've loved to get inside and explore...and yes, if only walls could talk! Thank you!

[@beingbravewithmonica]

I haven't seen Apartments with Clothes lines since I was a kid and I'm 42 now, Wow!!!!

[@MrDEWaters]

Something is wrong when places like the Northgate apartments are allowed to decay to the point where they are a public nuisance. The governmental authorities need to have them bulldozed. They are beyond the point where they can be restored or renovated. As for the run-down historical houses, it would be nice if someone could come in and restore them, but the reality is that it won't happen. Economic distress is not pleasant but at least the physical remnants can be removed. I visited the city recently and saw that the downtown district is attractive and seems to be on an upswing.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Northgate as of typing this, is for sale for a cool 150,000 dollars.

[@clintshelley1511]

@@hoodsnhollers it'll cost a million to haul it off

[@kathrynnard8059]

20 + years ago the project people moved in my respectful nice neighborhood because our city tore down their rundown neighborhood because of their destructive way of life. The city thought if they moved in our neighborhoods they'd do better but the opposite happened and now half the city is destroyed. Drugs, gangs, disrespectful lifestyle etc. You have to change within not around you to be improved. Thank goodness we have a new chief of police Daryl Albert that works with our city council and things are improving. My neighborhood is improving and it's alot like it was when I moved in 34 years ago.

[@HumbleMeek]

Which neighborhood do you own?

[@almamoore8446]

Its hard to believe how run down and dead it is here. My Grandaddy was from here. They came to Fl. in a horse and wagon many years ago.

[@timothyhight9588]

I was born there. Left 40 years ago No regrets.

[@JoJo-oc2zp]

It is really sad that someone can truthfully say, with actual proof to back up statement ofno regrets for leaving your home town. Our cities should have not disintegrate because the city depends on one source of employment. I hope that you have at least one good memory to keep and let the rest go. Wishing you future happiness wherever life takes you.

[@adimereseiniNRRavouvou76]

It is a lovely place just need to be all bulldozed and put new ideas into it make it economically viable again. Like it is USA Land of Plenty. Meaning plenty ideas plenty resources plenty races mixed races and plenty civilised people who went through high class education systems for centuries decades generations.

[@ladesigner8764]

Based on this video, I can see why. What a depressing, sad place.

[@remileon7]

@Dawn King yes I currently live here and the crime is out of control!

[@janicemilton7431]

It’s not the city Montgomery it’s a beautiful city it’s the peoples living in the city and the peoples who running the city and let not forget about the main source the peoples who’s Robbing the city and the peoples who put taxpayers money in certain area of the city all of this is what’s killing the city of Montgomery,just look at the video it tell all

[@justtracy7175]

Neighborhoods like these are found all across America. What are the cities officials doing with all this property that can be transformed into housing for the poor & disabled veterans. These is what greed leads to

[@DarlingNikki2]

Exactly what I was wondering! Those abandoned apartments and homes could be demolished (possibly some even gutted and remolded depending on the infrastructure) and affordable housing for veterans, disabled persons, and those who simply need a safety net could be built. It looks as though the city has the money to maintain garbage collection as it was surprisingly clean, even the abandoned areas. So a budget should be set aside for housing and for more businesses to come back and stimulate the sense of community...

[@samanthacostido7823]

i moved here this year in aug. needless to say im already back up in washington. moving down to alabama was such a reality shock and i couldnt adjust to life down there. southern hospitality lasts for about 5 minutes ...

[@sandramurdock8383]

So sorry Samantha. You were definitely in the wrong city. Most of the South is a lovely place to live. Sorry you had a bad experience.

[@EB-bl6cc]

The south is mostly great you just chose one of the worst cities lol, gotta do your homework. It would be like one of us moving to Portland with all the craziness there and determining that all the pacific NW is bad.

[@lorettakelley2146]

I lived in Alabama for 2 years, in between Montgomery and Troy. I couldn't wait to get back to Indiana. Too hot for me!

[@theresasalazar5822]

Some of those houses are nice! Could be rebuilt. How sad it’s a mortuary of homes

[@littlebrookreader949]

A reasonably short time ago, Montgomery was Very different. Shocking.

[@Mrsunny649]

I moved back to Montgomery upon retiring from the navy 10 years ago. Recently a bug entered into my head telling me it may be time to move elsewhere.

[@scottcamp7385]

This is called poor leadership....

[@reneerichburg8023]

THAT'S A DAMN SHAME🥺😟😥 WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING 😱

[@byrdieyeah6990]

Do what

[@thejudgmentalcat]

How the municipality treated that cemetery is criminal

[@kfoster3616]

There is a burial tax if buried in Montgomery. The money is to be used for upkeep. In fact, people from the air force base have helped clean up and de-weed the cemeteries as well as other :volunteer" clean ups.

[@downsouth2158]

It’s my understanding that cemeteries are privately owned. It’s not the cities job to maintain them.

[@wattsusdecorate5637]

Great video. The Northside of Montgomery!!! Im still in Montgomery Alabama. Moved from that side of town to the Eastside.😍🙌🙏

[@MrDEWaters]

The south side is not good either. Not many good parts are left apparently.

[@partlycloudy9443]

I have lived here over 40 years. The eastside is much nicer, I live near Bell road. I dont go to the westside or downtown much anymore. The shops around Eastchase are very nice.

[@bjkearns2]

I live about an hour from Montgomery in the Auburn/Opelika area. Montgomery is nose diving; if it wasn’t for being the state capital and having Maxwell Airbase as a city it would be hard to believe but even worse off. Because of the nose dive, Maxwell is/has considered shutting down.

[@chrism.7166]

Yeah, I'm just north of Wetumpka and besides Dr. appointments, I avoid montgomery like the plague.

[@siberiancajun]

Even as a southerner, I enjoyed being stationed in Wyoming more than montgomery. As soon as I jumped across the river to prattville, my life improved drastically.

[@benashton3691]

Maxwell's not going to be shutting down.

[@MrJwk1982]

Not sure where you are but there are very nice places of Montgomery.

[@lmsendit9531]

It was no hurricanes or tornadoes that went through any of these places it is the crime and poverty in the area that drove the neighborhoods to this now if you go to East Side Montgomery that is where everything is booming and all the new is being built but you can buy these houses for nearly nothing if you want to do the investment and fix them up feel free they tried to sell them everyday

[@StreetTalktv850]

Where do you go to buy them?

[@clintshelley1511]

@@StreetTalktv850 search local realty office

[@partlycloudy9443]

I have lived in montgomery for over 40 years. Its a shame all the big southern style homes around downtown are just decaying away. But everything is moving to the eastside of town. What was filmed here is mostly on the westside or near the old downtown. Not all of Montgomery looks like this.

[@marmaladeslife6619]

It’s strange how the cemetery has no gates around it? Maybe that’s why there’s been so much vandalism there

[@MrDEWaters]

Persons who would vandalize a cemetery are the lowest type of scum. I don't think a fence would deter them.

[@marlonparcon1921]

So sad I can imagine what the place was use to be. Why did it happen? Even the cemetery looks like the deads are forgotten

[@s5adventures]

I can't decide which is my favorite part...the cemetery or the apartments that are half missing! I'd love to explore inside the buildings!

[@MrDEWaters]

I have no desire to explore any of this. It's a depressing situation and it doesn't pique my curiosity. If that's what you want to do, then go ahead.

[@vdubskiee5356]

@@MrDEWaters sooo basically your looking in to living there?

[@Truckngirl]

I love your quiet observation of these places. It brought back this memory: I was trucking in 2011 and loaded 42k lbs of king crab in PA worth over $500k. It delivered to the Piggly Wiggly distribution center in Montgomery. I had to park overnight on the street waiting for my 5am appt., a frightening situation. The guard (who knew what my freight was) could see me, but they've been known to be in collusion with thieves. I didn't sleep a wink for fear of being jacked. From the looks of it, not much has changed.

[@AmericanPatriot-bp7cu]

Good story.

[@ddavis9729]

Piggly Wiggly invented the shopping cart!

[@Bigg-Edd352]

Bro you just filmed my old house there… you had to be on virgina Ave in the dead end! I stayed in the house on ur right where that car is sitting at!😊

[@ladesigner8764]

Way too many towns have died in this country. What a hellscape. Traveling in Europe, this place seems like a lost cause. Yes, there are exceptions in Europe, but they actually have very old towns that haven’t died.

[@downsouth2158]

Well, I’ve lived in Montgomery for 45 years and most of the people who lived in these abandoned buildings, when they were newer, now live in neighborhoods and they brought their junk cars and trash with them.

[@laoamericanlady]

Looks a lot like ghost town in most parts

[@ja60564]

Дела тут видимо давно уже неважно идут. Дома то из 50 -60 годов. Более современных построек нет. Видимо тогда уже небыло перспективы в новых постройках, люди с 70 -80 потихоньку начали разъезжатся.

[@indepedientereydecopasterr9980]

Qual é seu pais

[@nucktabayoyon1619]

This makes me sad. Famous Cities which once were full of life just wasting away in parts. Not from here, but it looks like any town USA from the past that I remember. Homes very similar for the 40,50,60’s. Very green area.

[@brianhudson7822]

Montgomery has become the Detroit of the South. I'm glad I got the hell out of there when I did.

[@CaslubpeesYaj224]

Wow! So many abandoned buildings! What's going on here?

[@1M005E1]

1:24 the projects. Id say after the hurricanes coming thru destroyed all these homes. Nice video's but would love back stories on each town.

[@s.d.5418]

Nah, some of those projects were shut down and the tenants were relocated to newly built apartment complexes and some already established neighborhoods.

[@yagirlt-racy2571]

Not from the hurricanes. We don't get much from them here. They did build new housing that most of those former occupants moved to, like the other comment says.

[@gabrielpaulsmom]

That is in sane the United States of America, riches country in the world and this is what are cities look like.

[@deborahtye6494]

Why did somebody not keep these up there are so many homeless

[@thespecialguy]

I ❤️ Alabama, it's beautiful. can any one help me to come here please.🤔

[@MistyMorningMangoes]

This is not the Montgomery I grew up in. Thank God I got out, but I still have family i visit several times each year and it seems to get worse and worse. It’s actually one of the biggest dumps I’ve ever seen. Instead of the Gump it should be the dump 😔

[@adabsurdum5905]

I have explored those Grove Street apartments a lot. They are pretty cool, but spooky at night

[@kimberlyholley]

How ironic! "Like" count is at 334 (Montgomery's area code). Thanks for sharing

[@Gummiedshark]

As someone who lives in this town. Sadly wr just dont have the money to fix anything.

[@melonyfoster7078]

Used to live there! Bad government for years! Hope taken away from people leads to what you see!

[@cassandradale3546]

It has been poor leadership...to be the capital of Alabama. This just didn't happened yesterday or today...years of poor leadership. I love Montgomery...I just wish the leadership get contractors to build homes on those properties...Hope that people appreciate the homes and take care of them. It only comes from the heart ♥

[@chrisjordan6693]

I remember being about 9 or 10 years old and governor Wallace gave his inauguration speech in Montgomery not to far from where I lived

[@dalet9207]

Regulations for many of these seemingly nice apartments made it too costly to redo…asbestos one of the worst. The people would have to move out for major renovations and never came back. Interstates and other roads made changes to all sorts of regulations for building.

[@laine7577]

I used to live in Montgomery, you didn't go to Eastern boulevard or Chantilly. They are building three brand new prisons worth millions of dollars. So like another comment said all cities have good and bad areas

[@retailexplorationwithdanny8070]

Montgomery really isn’t that bad, it just has a lot of bad areas.

[@karenreichenbaugh856]

So sad to see.

[@laretdenton9768]

Amazing video thank you.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@michaelsteele4587]

The one difference in the abandoned structures I noticed in this city compared to those found in other cities is the fact these ones are all mostly boarded up tight or simply fenced off. Most of them still have the glass in the windows too despite obviously being abandoned for quite some time. Most places, these are left open to the elements and vandals or they're just a burned pile of rubble.

[@louiserawle8999]

What is a shotgun house ??

[@josephjohnson448]

It's pretty much a one bedroom house with a bathroom, sometimes no bedroom. The narrow appearance on the outside gives the "shotgun" look. Hope that helps

[@ralphwilloughby915]

A house that is one room wide. Rooms go front to back. Long and narrow, like a shotgun.

[@louiserawle8999]

@@josephjohnson448 thank you.

[@tjtrucking1467]

Shotgun houses are those slinder straight houses if you open the front and back door at the same time it's like looking down the barrel of a shotgun. You see straight thru.

[@cutegirlswin5578]

Where did all the people go?

[@ednafruchey7386]

Is the homeless out of hand there like it is in California? Do you get ran off if you try to homestead one of them empty house? Leaky roof is better than no roof.

[@nancyp1568]

You have nerve buddy. My daughter works for the state in the capitol complex and even she won't go across the street for lunch alone. Selma and points west are just as bad. Be careful.

[@hoodsnhollers]

I have Selma posted up as well on the channel, thanks for watching!

[@Kanezilla66]

I saw neighborhoods like this before Gary,Detroit, Chicago I could probably guess what happened.

[@IamTheTravelTycoon]

I see a whole lotta potential 🎉‼️

[@marktuyet]

Crime

[@josephhartwell6214]

Makes Elmira new York look like Disneyland

[@stormsandweather2713]

I lived on south jackson street from 2018 until 2021. Looks like you had just turned the corner at the beginning it's so sad that there's soany buidlings and homes just falling apart.

[@allenschmitz9644]

No jobs poor.

[@DraculaBoi001]

Wow that's very Sad to see and know about it like this looks like they film 🎥 walking dead and then they wonder why there's a lot of homeless people in the streets because the Government and landlords don't care of fixing up those House 🏠 and the city 🏙️

[@Yzabeaux1]

If you freeze frame at 4:57 point, you will see some kind of ghost standing on left side of screen 2nd floor. CREEPY!🤯🤯🤯

[@ckzf1842]

Why has everyone left ??

[@allenschmitz9644]

No jobs.

[@brendaz9222]

The folks keep moving out or east of town. Crime is bad.

[@s.d.5418]

@@allenschmitz9644 There are jobs lots of jobs here. He's hitting pockets in some of the worst areas.

[@dalet9207]

New highways, like around the country, have directed traffic and therefore businesses move too. People move to smaller……but rapidly growing……cities around Montgomery proper.

[@knowone6214]

RUNNN FORREST RUNN....LOL

[@mikeluc9916]

It Look old like maybe Katrina did it

[@205inoucme]

AKA Montgomery, AL City Government

[@yagirlt-racy2571]

Its not from any hurricane. We don't get much other than some rain and a little wind from any of them.

[@jonzaremba]

"Amazin'!!! --- What duh?!? -- What a mess!" - Jesse Lee Peterson

[@laurasmith1127]

This is in just one area like most if American cities. When business close and move this is what happens.

[@debmar5771]

What does the sign say at :35?

[@dominique0115]

It’s a biblical scripture.

[@deborahmacdonald9319]

Hola, what a contrast!

[@blackieandfamily1722]

😦😦WOW,WHAT A PLACE,BEAUTIFUL AND HAUNTING,I VE READ SOME GHOST STORIES FROM TIS PARTICULAR PLACE IN MONTGOMERY FROM THE DISTANT PAST

[@josephhartwell6214]

You should not be allowed to leave condemned buildings like that standing it's bad for the environment

[@robertgarrett1593]

The must be warm because it's freezing up north make wish I was down there

[@Bigg-Edd352]

Go on the west side in Ridgecrest! Collinwood Ave… some homes ain’t there anymore… I use to stay in Ridgecrest too

[@ronaldrobinson4443]

Me to im from capri street 👌👌👌👍👍 the good ol days

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Some really nice abandoned homes there. I think the cemetery is the oddest one I've ever seen. Interesting video.

[@ernestclary6035]

Looks like half of America- all our jobs moved out rather than pay decent wages.

[@markmentoor8639]

Im from south africa. Why are this place abandoned

[@josephj.6478]

Either the apartments simply had no tenants, and some of these homes I'm guessing that residents moved out when the neighborhood went into decline.☹

[@yagirlt-racy2571]

They built new projects for the occupants and left those buildings to rot

[@cdee75]

No jobs

[@Ms.JenJor]

Montgomery where dreams come true😂

[@robingreene8167]

Sad.

[@nygrl6102]

Go drive around Fort Deposit, Al. That place has become a wreck

[@LG4L3443]

Take a trip through KC!

[@hoodsnhollers]

I can definitely do that!

[@jtsmith-zh1ur]

Did you happen to ride past the governor’s house hotel. Really sad

[@samsaadeh3622]

My brother love it he still there

[@kickapootrackers7255]

Thanks for the look around.

[@hoodsnhollers]

Thanks for watching!

[@vickisawyer7405]

Was it the green sign laying on the ground?

[@byrdieyeah6990]

Trying to save to move. honestly montgomery just is not it anymore

[@brendac9386]

Too bad there are no jobs in this town.

[@Туристизмирамертвых]

America after the zombie attack? 🤪

[@JWG2014]

17:35 - Narrow Lane Villa - My friends lived there. Grew up in 90's there was great.. not so much anymore. HIGH.. VERY HIGH crime area

[@tripplec9889]

Maybe I'm the only one but it doesn't seem that bad. Loads of potential, maybe it's the visionary in me. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@RAGEdredd]

That's home