Poverty And Drugs Are Ruining West Virginia's Capital

[@NickJohnson]

Here's the entire Appalachia Road Trip playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yrVA4HLAJ9hgylkyIiI4Az6

[@NSgeg765]

You have a spammer impersonating you in this thread.

[@buildbackbetter6875]

Make me wanna stay away from this region completely. People live there are suffering from economic hardship and drug addiction with no solution to the problems. Lost causes of those lost years, very depressing.

[@torquetrain8963]

Nick, are you going to do a show on Wheeling, WV? I hope so. Perhaps a Wheeling, WV, Weirton, WV, Steubenville, OH, Bellaire,OH area. Keep up the great work. Just a matter of time before you hit 1million subscribers. There is a New Vrindaban Hindu Temple that is not far from Wheeling and Moundsville out in the country a ways. Something kind of unusual in a state like WV.

[@WFH910]

Do some more videos about how "nice" internationally renowned cities like NYC & co, everyone wants to see how big of shitholes those have become. No one outside of US cares about these lesser known villages

[@NSgeg765]

@@WFH910 he has many videos about larger cities. He probably has done more than his share on CA. Some similar and different problems.

[@JamicaYAH]

Charleston West Virginia is my hometown. I'm originally from the West Side. I married my husband who's from Texas. Moved there for several years, then we moved back to West Virginia. My husband has a thriving Tech business here, and we moved out of Charleston, to Teays Valley West Virgina seventeen years ago. West Virginia is what you make it, just like any other place in the world. I really Enjoyed watching some of my old stomping grounds. Thanks for sharing

[@jeremysloanb2426]

Thank you for what you said about WV. Im born and raised here ill die here cause its a great beautiful state. WILD AND WONDERFUL!!! Every state has it problems but for the most part WV as a whole is a great state and has great people who live here. Most will help you if you need help and will speak just to be nice. Im from Amma but grew up in Spencer which is a poor place to live but i grew up on a farn not in a city.

[@davidjanson7982]

LoL

[@BlenkoBaby]

Fellow Teays Valley girl here!!!! I love WV, even with its ugly parts. It’s the people that make it great, and we’re working hard to make it better ❤️

[@BlenkoBaby]

@@jeremysloanb2426 yes sir! I’ve been all across the east coast and I always miss the mountains when I leave. Decided to bring my roots back to where they sprouted in 2022, and it’s been the best decision I could’ve made. I know we’ve got bad things, but so does everywhere else.

[@elkhanmir9099]

I live in the USA for 6 years, I work as a truck driver for 5 years, I traveled 48 states, I saw all this in all states. Every time I see this, I get the feeling that life in this country was in full swing 30-40 years ago, and recently everything has been abandoned and the creators of this country have left. I myself also decided to leave the United States, very beautiful nature, hardworking people, but the system is anti-human. this credit system and endless payments kill everything human in a person, turning people into robots. I feel sorry for the recently arrived immigrants, it will be even more difficult for them than for me, the best thing this system can do is to give illusions.

[@DeeDee-lz8zx]

It is the drugs that destroyed America.

[@Abealg]

May I ask which country are you from, and how does the system there compare to the States?

[@paidsurveys6561]

The colonizers rapped the land sucked it dry now they are the 1 percent they can flee the country when all hell breaks loose . Passed down the richest to their offspring .

[@KtotheL]

It's that we got old and it's time for us to retire and the new people that are supposed to replace us do not want to work and now it's a game and you're seeing the results of that game. ( over time that is...) There's a lot of factors that you have to weigh in here but that's one of the main reasons. (Such as both parents having to work and not having time to raise their children properly etc.. is another) but again it's a lot of decline as a result of lives lived on drugs. Back in the day people lived on drugs That's how they got through the day of work a lot of times. Today drugs are so dangerous you're almost assured death (within a very short time frame) and there is good and bad to this whole story. I feel like once we clean the mess up this time (if)we won't have to deal with it again but I've been wrong before :/ this is a literal health crisis and it's gotten to where it has to be addressed at one point or another whether they want to or not because its endangering everyone in society not just the people that are on the streets doing this stuff. (Risking their lives carelessly) I have followed the current drug crisis for years actually and I watch this take over Puerto Rico before it got here to the mainland. (Tranq) back then there wasn't a lot of coverage of the horror stories which is the reality now. (The sores, amputations etc) I think the only way this will be resolved is if we demand it as a whole. (And we should be now before it gets to the crisis level)

[@jeffwylie5899]

​@@KtotheL I agree with much you said and I'm a Dem from a rural area of another state. The problem is people like to get high, in one form or another. Hopeless people really like to get high for lots of reasons. With addiction, that's a whole different ballgame in many ways.

[@williambush7971]

I grew up in a small town without the drug problem. There just wasn't a lot of future for a new HS grad so I joined the USAF. Spent 56 weeks in tech school which gave me a skill that got me a 6 figure job and a great career.

[@conditionallyunconditional5691]

Thank you for serving your country and making the best of it! I made the same decision myself in '82. It taught me self discipline and opportunity for success. I cant say I make six figure income today. I retired after 24 yrs active duty. After retirement, I completed my college degree using post 911 GI bill. Today I advise our youth to consider enlisting nco or qualify for commissioned officer programs. Congratulations for your life achievements!

[@ZubairAhmed-od2xv]

How many camel jockeys did you kill to further your own career?

[@ZubairAhmed-od2xv]

​@@conditionallyunconditional5691 Yes , thank you for serving the elites to satiate their greed at the expense of brown people the world over .

[@elizabethnilsson1815]

UNTILLTEY WILLFORCE YOU TO GO TO WAR AND DEFEND THE AMERICANS LEADERS PRIVATE INVESTMENTS ALL OVER IN ASIA AND OTER PALCESS... THAN YOUR THANKFULNESS WILLNOT LAST FOR A LONG.

[@joannaazar7396]

Nice. Wishing you the very best 😊

[@willbygosh4887]

Back in the 70's West Virginia had the lowest crime rate in the country before drugs took over.

[@wimvanaerde6249]

Fentanyl I guess?

[@sitdowndogbreath]

Fentanyl wasn't around back then and only has an anesthetic under lock and key in the OR supply room

[@jasonmccallop6605]

Thats because they were all related 😅

[@jasonmccallop6605]

@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 welp...you just about nailed that

[@AlphaFlight]

Your wrong. The drugs were there. It was only a matter of time

[@BAHSAV9000]

I went to West Virginia for the first time back in October and I was actually blown away- the drive throughout the state was very scenic, the people were incredible, all the food was really good and felt homemade and the beer was really good, plus everything was really cheap

[@aldoushuxleysghost]

I'm a West Virginian. Most things here are cheap. Rent's cheap, but wages are still pretty low. It kinda cancels out, but I'll take it over life in the larger cities

[@jon-marc]

@@aldoushuxleysghost I'm from logan county

[@aldoushuxleysghost]

@@jon-marc Boone county here. Madison

[@patrickmcdade7353]

Monroe County

[@davidryan834]

Upshur

[@donaldavery4667]

Your compassion is just heartwarming.

[@ThurstonWatt]

my thoughts exactly

[@charliedillon1400]

If you just went there and filmed in June, people would say it's beautiful. The winter makes Appalachia look bleak, even on a sunny day.

[@thedelacruz]

Winter makes anyplace look bleak and gloomy.

[@sitdowndogbreath]

Even Boston looks like Moscow in the winter time

[@buckshot6481]

That place Never looks beautiful. My neighbors are from Charleston and say it's been a chit show since the 90's.

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

@@buckshot6481 Charleston is nothing like Morgantown, and is about 3 hours or more away.

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

@time travel Dude that was the biggest fraud in music history. Denver spent all of about 5 minutes in WV, and half the stuff in the song doesn’t apply to most of the state. He should have sung about the Ohio or Mon river, not Shenandoah which only flows through a tiny sliver of the state.

[@gregleavitt1255]

If you have to ask "Why?", the answer's $$ with very few exceptions. No industry, no jobs, no revenue, no people. Same story with most of the cities and towns out here, coast to coast. Ya gotta feel for Buck, he's been on that languishing decline of a rusty roller coaster ride for the vital years of his lifetime. Damn. Great vid!

[@goodday126]

There are a lot of countries where members of the local government would be facing jail for allowing conditions like this.

[@mE-zx7pt]

Really?

[@jc19766]

Informative video. If you want to see another declining Appalachian city, visit Johnstown, PA. In fact, there are plenty of former coal mining communities and depressed steel towns all over western Pennsylvania with the drug problems too.

[@Sammydx1]

The Chiefs !

[@izzimichaels2892]

wv and az are at the top of the addiction list. every state has a drug problem, theirs are just more severe

[@mcgervey]

Oh don't worry, he'll apparently come anywhere and try to kick you when you're down by painting you in the worst light possible.

[@petemiksich5760]

I was shocked at how there are no people around. That drive through the downtown with all those big buildings.......and NO cars......and NO people.

[@bluerfoot]

Went through in the height of the pandemic in 2020 and noted that but figured it was just the pandemic. Sadly it is mostly like that all the time it looks like.

[@skinsnation4404]

You should see Detroit

[@toddellis3323]

All the people are gone and never coming back. Charleston has been abandoned, couldn't tell it could ya!!!

[@maddiejohnson4688]

I hope this doesn't sound like an ad but Nick helped me find a realtor and I was very happy with her!! She is great! I really appreciated his help.

[@NickJohnson]

Maddie! Let's catch up! Email me NickJohnsonNC18@gmail

[@tammykeener3014]

West Virginia is one of the most beautiful states there is. The people are helpful and kind, they help everyone! I was born in Greenbrier county, small area called Leslie, grandparents lived up on a hill made from coal slack! Most my time was in Hines, just a stop on the road! I live in Michigan, but I’d move back to WV in a flash!!!

[@brianmoore1648]

Hi Nick, I just moved after retirement from Trenton NJ to Spencer WV . People ask why? I answer "people are people,no matter where you go,so why not have a lesser amount of people to pull you down'.

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

exactly. I got sick of people, so I moved out of a big city and moved to WV

[@samanthab1923]

I could see it. Trenton is no bargain. Enjoy retirement

[@davidryan834]

Not too far from Spencer myself

[@devl1820]

I grew up in spencer. Everyone I went to school with that stayed got strung out on drugs.

[@davidjanson7982]

Are you kidding ? You now live there !? Good luck with that !

[@wolfmannews]

The city looks so clean, haven't been there in many years but I have family that lives in West Virginia and one day I will try to go back and visit, it is truly a beautiful state.

[@ryan0348]

Sarcasm?

[@wolfmannews]

@@ryan0348 I said the state is beautiful what man has done to the city and living conditions is another story.

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

You are right, my fiancée graduated from WVU in the early 2000s and she says it looks a lot better now than it did back then. And a lot of new construction.

[@tinabanks5237]

You can think the previous Mayor There in Charleston WV That's right! Good Ole Dollar Danny They call him. I'd be talking about FMR. Mayor Danny Jones that is!🙄😔 He absolutely destroyed The city of Charleston wv #1 he let the city road's and sidewalks Go didn't do anything to fix em! #2 he let the drug epidemic in the city Go to where it spiraled outta control On his watch An there were needles everywhere All over the side's of streets laying! #3 he ended a huge city event that the City had put on for 30 to 40 yrs Every year an drew in crowds from All over the state of WV and From other states an Yes sometimes from other countries they came from Far and wide to get to enjoy this huge City event that happened every year in the city of Charleston wv an yes! IAM talking about the (Charleston sternwheel regatta)😜 Because of politics Danny ended the Regatta and replaced it with Festivall Claiming at the time in 2005 The economy was in a stalemate and Couldn't resume the regatta but we All In Charleston know now that was a lie! From Danny not to mention he sit on The regatta board some board member! But think God! New Mayor Amy shuler Goodwin brought back The Charleston sternwheel regatta 😜 🙏🙏🙏🙏 But yeah he ended that on his watch An tourism died in Charleston WV after he ended the regatta an he wondered Why tourism died in Charleston Because the very thing that brought tourism in the regatta was ended on his watch which took away the revenue To come into the city of Charleston wv That's why the tourism died in Charleston on his watch But Amy Goodwin our Mayor in Charleston now has been the State tourism director in the past before becoming Mayor so she knows A thing or two about driving tourism in She did the right thing in bringing back The regatta over the objection of Her predecessor Danny Jones An that's just to name a few of the Destructive things Danny Jones Did as Mayor To the city shameful Don't let em lie on here to ya From down that way that's just Danny's flunkys Ask the real folks in Charleston They'll tell you He got 4 terms and didn't do shit 🤣 Amy has been a good Mayor For Charleston wv She's had some bumps but Hopefully she'll work out praying 🙏✝️ I don't agree with everything she's done But she's done pretty good so far She could step IT up on improvements To the city fur sure! But! I think she's done a fair enough Job As Mayor Anything beats Danny Jones Fur sure!👌 Dollar Danny My friend use to be a Life long resident in Charleston WV and he lives In another part of WV now But he's told me the stories Definitely! He said FMR. Mayors of Charleston wv Kent Hall Chuck Gardner and Jay Goldman As Charleston wv MAYOR'S in the past Wasn't so bad pretty good MAYOR'S Those 3 were he remembers em lived down there under them An they keep the regatta going under them too unlike Danny Glad Amy brought it back as Mayor Though he told me But Danny Jones put it in such a Bad state a mess the city of Charleston WV to where New Mayor Amy Goodwin was left with A huge! Mess!!! And Danny treated the homeless down there like shit when he was the mayor Put the city police up to harass the Homeless which was rude An they were homeless no home I know they can't just sleep everywhere But if they can't get in the shelter they Gotta sleep somewhere so they tried To find little cubby holes in between buildings and the Mayor which was Danny Jones at that time would send the police in an harass em an run em off an they said they were walking around like A zombie the homeless in Charleston at that time it wasn't all from drugs It was because they couldn't lay their Head down an get a little bit of rest Cause they were always on the go having to keep moving from one place to another cause they couldn't get no rest cause they were being harassed and ran off by the police and Danny Jones At that time so it wasn't all drugs it Was sleep deprived So yeah! That's what my buddy from down there in Charleston WV told me about Danny Jones and Charleston wv The city and all Just pray for Charleston wv the city An Mayor Goodwin This is all true by the way! ✝️🙏👍👍☺️

[@wolfmannews]

@Birdman I simply said the State is beautiful and never said anything about living there.

[@RoadTripsWithYogi1968]

New subscriber here. It's tragic and sad how these towns and cities seem to be forgotten, left to decline. I enjoy your channel, the good, the bad & the ugly. Thanks for sharing.👍

[@NickJohnson]

Yogi!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@whynotbekind1957]

he has tunnel vision and only sees what he wants to see to make a video…not very educated…people think all of wv is like the fee places he showed…its not…and now you are making people who have never been here think this is what the while state looks like

[@yelizaveta1278]

Nick , I've been subscribed for a couple of years now . I'm so proud of how you/your channel has grown and flourished . Yay for Nick and Mappy!

[@NickJohnson]

Mappy says WHATS UP Lisa!!!

[@NickJohnson]

Lisa!!

[@yelizaveta1278]

@@NickJohnson Mappy!!! ♥️

[@yelizaveta1278]

@@NickJohnson Nick J.!!! ❣️👏

[@yelizaveta1278]

Heck ,

[@hankhalbert6542]

Frankly, the rich got richer. Grew up there, but left at age 23. The town is full of both MDs, Dentists and Lawyers, due to it being the center of Government and Healthcare for the state. Nothing else much there, and definitely few places to make a decent living. Still visit occasionally, but find it sad to see a once thriving small city so run down. Great place for travelers to stay overnight though. Try visiting the State Capitol Complex, and be sure that cruise the Kanawha Blvd, the 1400 and 1500 blocks of Virginia Street. We will “visit home” again soon for the obligatory family cemetery visits and such, eat at Gino’s Pizza, as well as Tudor’s Biscuit World, a tradition for many of us ex-pats. Charleston was once a vibrant small city, with all of the dynamics you would find in larger cities. Great place to have grown up indeed. “Almost” Heaven, but not quite heavenly these days. Nicholas, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph and Pendleton Counties in West Virginia are beautiful places to vacation. Enjoy.

[@kevinkelly1656]

Those are the best counties for sure. Many of us miss Tudors and Gino's. Maybe people might move back after retirement. Damn a Tudors down south would do great.

[@NickJohnson]

Someone open more Tudors'''

[@skinsnation4404]

That John Denver song is so damn good!

[@fwilliamcony28]

I had the same feeling the last time I visited Wheeling which had over 50,000 people at one time but is down to around 25,000 residents today.

[@paulamieczkowski2152]

Wouldn’t live anywhere else. These old hills still hug me and keep us safe. When the steel mills and coal mines were given to other countries it took our jobs.

[@corywalker9498]

Excuses

[@izzimichaels2892]

@@corywalker9498 facts

[@AlphaFlight]

That's old mindset. The place is all used up buddy. It ain't no kind of good

[@DottonTuffin]

Education is key. We can tell you guys didn't want to do that with the same excuses. You guys should have been running faster a long time ago.

[@shirleykurburski6021]

I understand about the jobs being sent overseas ,my dad worked in Lexington NC at a Textile I think it was Erlanger's> but they went to china along with furniture companies

[@jt6217]

Nick, I do thank you for doing this that you are doing. What a really full look of an area you give. Both good and bad. I am trying to decide where to next move. You do help I am sure many people. Please do keep up this great wirk that you are doing.

[@algernoncalydon3430]

When LBJ declared war on poverty people didn't think this is what he meant to do. Thanks Joe, Chuck and Mitch for carrying for LBJ.

[@tjsutphin9855]

War on “blank” means they aren’t gonna fix it, just make it worse

[@Scott-ly2nk]

One of the good things lbj did

[@johnnymidas5879]

POLITICIANS DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE,.. THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT SERVING THEIR CORPORATE DONOR MASTERS. .. EMPTY PROMISES ARE FOR THE DECIEVED. 🤮

[@allsmilz7234]

​@@Scott-ly2nk LBJ super corrupt embarrassment of USA

[@roystroble3354]

LBJ said I'll have those people voting Democrat for the next 200 years, also behind JFK death

[@xwrtk]

Almost all of my Charleston friends left WV besides one who somehow got a job with her law degree. Most of them grew up poor too and relied on the promise WV scholarship. In the past, money kept going towards high school football even seasons where they did bad so residents complained. Years ago, a new football field was made with money donated while students were in need of basic school necessities. There is constant violence at the local schools.

[@pariahstat2683]

So are you single Michelle?

[@dimitarmargaritov]

This sounds like a mid-sized city or even town here in Eastern Europe rather than somewhere in the US.

[@III............]

​@@pariahstat2683 ​ Pariah Stat This ain't a dating site.

[@sitdowndogbreath]

​@@pariahstat2683 if you think disabled p**** is easy to get think again there is a lot of drauma associated with that And maybe the path of least resistance but you still going to get shocked at the end

[@xwrtk]

@@dimitarmargaritov 48k population so not quite based on population alone.

[@ripperduck]

Had an ex that was doing a medical residency in Huntington, WV. That was back in 2000. We traveled to Charleston to meet some people, and the state was gorgeous. But, it was before the explosion of dope took over the state. Huntington and Charleston were both fading blue collar/middle class cities, and it's very sad what's occurred. My ex couldn't take it anymore, and left Marshall University School of Medicine, and headed back to CA. It was simply too hard after things started to fall apart...

[@wvhillgal]

There is money moving back there, people don't realous what famous people are around. There is a mass exodus from CA to WV, people wanting some peace and quiet and get off the grid. I would pick it any day over CA

[@status-xk8kr]

California has cities that are much worse than Charleston filled with out of control crime, homeless, drug addicts, etc. Welfare payments are fairly high for now but that will change.

[@wburgess1]

Thanks!

[@b.schott5506]

you found the Empy Glass ... mission accomplished, an excellent bar/venue, have spent many nights there and seen so much great music! stumble down the block to Red Carper Lounge too, classic dive.

[@Robin-qq1ry]

I was born and raised in Charleston. I am so sad when I go back.

[@WhispersFromTheDark]

Whomever that Woman was that was on stage singing, she has a incredible voice. She should get out of there and find a stage somewhere to showcase her talent. Perhaps in Austin, Texas... there's a lot of talent scouts down there. But she was really good! I'd buy one of her CD's if she had one.

[@NickJohnson]

I tried to interview her but she ghosted 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Solopraneur]

@@NickJohnson, she had to go meet her dealer at that McDonald’s on Washington Street.

[@themandarb]

Truthfully the best part about Charleston is that you can drive 15 minutes in any direction and see some beautiful country. It's cheap to live there (I worked in Huntington for 13 years) and Huntington/Charleston has some amenities that make them seem larger than they are. If you can live outside of the drugged out areas and you have a remote job, you can probably do pretty well for yourself. I have friends who make less than 25k a year and can afford to buy homes and cars. The area just west of Charleston in the Teays Valley or Scotts Depot area has some very nice areas to live. In the end though, it is still in WV and unless something changes, there's not going to be much left in a few decades.

[@diangelo6686]

Is it dangerous there?

[@surreal3900]

@@diangelo6686 yes the rural areas hate outsiders. especially if you aren't white.

[@kthstefani]

My mom was from Frazier's Bottom born there in 1925. She couldn't wait to leave. She left in 1944, but her mother stayed down there. I visited Teays Valley around 2005. It looked pretty nice back then. If I were to move down to WV, I might consider that area.

[@mcgervey]

@@diangelo6686 No, it isn't, and this troll cruised the worst areas he could find to suit his narrative. I could make a similar video in just about EVERY state capital. Some of the footage isn't even in Charleston.

[@diangelo6686]

@@mcgervey are the white mamas there hillbilly or clean?

[@invisiblewounds]

You have the best sense of humor, very dry very dark ...keep up the great content no one can touch your narration!!!

[@unitedstatesofpostamerica7559]

I’m from this region, probably pretty good thing I’m not there anymore, but sad that it’s in such a state.

[@guitartheeasywayllc582]

I am from the Northern Part of WV- and practiced Guitar all day long and moved to Sanibel Island Fl- From Wheeling WV - and took a job transfer

[@unitedstatesofpostamerica7559]

@@guitartheeasywayllc582 That's interesting I've noticed good musicians tend to come out this area, I think because there's not much else to do than play music.

[@leannlaplante3643]

This video or others like it will not discourage me from visiting West Virginia. I live a mountainous state. Their mountains and communities look beautiful. Can't wait to see it all for myself. God bless the people of West Virginia.

[@meedwards5]

Heart breaking. It wasn't always like this.

[@rvk8991]

The hillbillies have ruined Appalachia for the rest of us.

[@guitartheeasywayllc582]

It used to be beautiful-so sad

[@amarissimus29]

They just haven't distributed enough clean needles. You wait. Good times right around the corner.

[@eyestoenvy]

Good stuff as always, Nick. That guy you interviewed in this one was a great pic, very informative and easygoing.

[@garyweber6413]

lived in West Virginia most of my life ,the state sucks,lot of good people but the state is too friendly to dirty industry .they are slowly destroying the place ,coal mines ,chemical complexes,now fracking(flare offs) and pipe lines each an environmental disaster .i love the forests and terrain.when the coal mine goes under you house and messes everything up you really see who gets treated better.

[@DeanDewnuffun]

"The blight attracts crime" no, the vibrancy and theft and assault and rape and robbery and drugs created the blight.

[@NickJohnson]

It's a cycle both ways

[@mscmtc]

The mountains you see in the background around Charleston are (mostly) owned by large corporations. Notice there are no buildings or highways on these hills. They are not for sale. What that means is that Charleston can not expand outside of its present area. When I graduated from college near Charleston I was told "if you want a job, leave."

[@troysnyder3634]

Thanks for this Video, @Nick Johnson!

[@MrYallaboi25]

Jefferson, Berkely and Mineral Counties are the booming counties in WV.. all in the Panhandle.

[@theonefreeman5284]

What is the Panhandle.please.?

[@thetruth1635]

@@theonefreeman5284 Jefferson & Berkeley , 45 minutes from DC & Dulles airport . Harper Ferry , WV is located in the eastern panhandle .

[@fwilliamcony28]

@@theonefreeman5284 WV has a Northern Panhandle and an Eastern Panhandle. If you look at a map of the state, it resembles a pork chop. lol

[@grajalesmint]

I live in Berkeley county on the eastern panhandle. I love living here . I love the state of West Virginia . As far as the drug problem , that happens even in the wealthiest towns .

[@brettweary8491]

Great Video Nick and First Class Commentary

[@OMGpandemic]

Buck seemed like a nice person. I was sad when you said he told you most of his regulars have died.

[@DottonTuffin]

When you don't update your business with the times, it's destined to go under. You can never stay the same with business. Buck stayed the same and now look at his place.

[@Heyymynameisjbells]

back in college i volunteered down in Kentucky one year and then wv the next year. It is beautiful countryside but sad to see the poverty and lack of education and resources. I was considering moving to KY and WV and buying a home, because LA is getting crazy, but it looks like Appalachia is having a rough time too. thanks for sharing this.

[@Heyymynameisjbells]

@@meedwards5 You’re dumb you must be from that area. I mention both Kentucky and West Virginia. Those are two separate states the last time that I checked.

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

There's a lot more to KY than the eastern part of it. Lexington, Louisville, the Northern Kentucky metro area, Bowling Green are all large cities with tons to offer people.

[@wymple09]

Number 1 is the lack of education. Most of today's industry & business requires more of that than you'll find in places where the gov't doesn't give enough of a sh*t about poor people to see that they can get an education. The huge middle class explosion after WW2 was because of the G.I. bill that sent people to school that otherwise had little chance at higher education. Lessons forgotten are lessons never learned.

[@paulherbert5548]

@@jeremiahallyn4603 Been through Lexington a few times on trips between South Carolina and Chicago. Looks very nice.

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

If you want to buy a home, West Virginia is a great place to do it, because you can buy a LOT more house for the same amount of $. Cost of living is low.

[@higgs923]

I spent a few weeks in Huntington, WVA, on business several years ago. One of the ironic jokes they told was, "What's West Virginia's largest export?'' Answer: "College graduates." Fine people down there. They deserve better than they get.

[@eryndaennabushong4734]

Visit Appalachia Virginia. There is nothing sadder than driving through that tiny town and seeing what total reliance on coal can do to any community. It's just down the road from Big Stone Gap, Virginia

[@kevinkelly1656]

WOW I'm glad I left. It's worse than I remember. And I have only been gone a little over a year. Had to work in that hell hole Charleston. The only good thing about that town is the capitol building. It's a beautiful building. And the empty glass is cool too. Putnam county is close by and way nicer. Teays valley and Hurricane especially. The sky is still gray mostly, but at least it's clean. The houses are way too expensive there though. People are wrong about there's work there if you want it though. Jobs don't pay very well. Only options are truck driver, CNA or dollar store and fast food. And of course Walmart.

[@josephcostanzo4968]

I bought a home near Charleston a little over a year ago. These factories you are referring to that people don't want to work at are all overnight jobs. Working in a coal mine? You will never see your family. Jobs out here pay pitiful rates and utilities are sky high. Not everybody has a drug problem. There are clean people struggling as well

[@bigfoot8203]

it all started back in the 70s when the teenager started trying drugs for the first time and it's been downhill every since. Most parents are on drugs now and it just keep getting worse every generation. it will not take another country to destroy America because were going to do it to our self

[@CT-uv8os]

Grew up in the Northern panhandle in the 70s. I can second that.

[@turtleanton6539]

Faxx but china will help 4 sure😊

[@fwilliamcony28]

@@CT-uv8os I did too and it's so depressing to see how Weirton and Wheeling have changed and deteriorated. I still have relatives who live in Weirton Heights near the hospital. On occasion, I still check football scores for Weir, Madonna, Brooke and Wheeling Park. lol

[@mikeenfinger5985]

Wow, thanks for your work to enlighten us. I had no idea but, Now I see. Thanks

[@halowarrior917]

As a West Virginian, I'm amazed you didn't get shot in Charleston. Take an hour trip up US-35 N/W if you're a fan of the Mothman. Big fan of your channel! Glad you're showing more of my home state

[@NickJohnson]

Mothman like the scary thing? Email me if you know where it is! Sounds fun! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail

[@halowarrior917]

@@NickJohnson well there's the museum and statue in my hometown of Point Pleasant, WV. The alleged sighting back in the 50s or 60s was by a man named Tom Ury. I believe an interview of him is somewhere on KZbin. If I can find it, I'll link it here for anyone who wants to see.

[@CosmicWhovian]

I live in Charleston. I'm in kanawha city. Thank you for shinning a light on us. This place needs to figure its self out.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok 😢

[@ericpowell4350]

This is what happens when you don't adapt in the right way AND/OR fast enough.

[@Boc3phu5]

Hey Nick thank you for your work pretty cool insight into all these places. My insight into these dilapidated towns is that these properties are empty and there are people wanting to purchase these buildings that have some issues but the prices are Way too high to the point where it's just not worth it to even negotiate the price. These properties are like being hogged by a old money that want to make a Gigantic profit out of it. It rubs me the wrong way when I drive into a city and I see empty buildings that can clearly be sold but they're not to just sit there for no reason.

[@2celestialchix]

This is something I said recently about the town I grew up in! They've recently demolished some older buildings and people are celebrating the fact.....but completely ignoring the fact that the same outfit doing the demo is the reason they sat empty for 10+ yrs! They wanted entirely too much for rent and would never come down on their prices! On top of that, they never did any upkeep so the buildings deteriorated quickly! I will not applaud anyone that is money hungry like that.

[@kevinkelly1656]

House need to be lived in otherwise they go down fast. Just like a car needs to be driven. This houses are owned by people who inherited them usually. Or they own them and think they are worth far more than what they really are. Seen it a lot. Just dreamers holding out for some outlandish price. And the Years go by. Before you know it it's 10 years. Then they are worth even less. Almost always the owners die off and they eventually get torn down. The ones out in the country without a city council those houses disintegrate back into the ground. And the woods grow up around them.

[@2celestialchix]

@emersonshiff8132 I honestly can't say, but the town I grew up in is actually an independent city, so nothing would surprise me. Also, the group that owns the building that was torn down is also a local realtor. They own half of the real estate in that town and several more throughout the neighboring counties. They have student housing that is rented out constantly too. I only see it as greed.

[@flea4061]

I stayed in Charleston a few days like years ago. I had a pretty good time. I must have been on the nice side of town cause I don't remember anything like this.

[@rs5570]

He deliberately showed only the very worst parts of the city.

[@wvhillgal]

He was on the west side where they closed the old section 8 housing when they built new, and so many closed up or run down houses over there. the Family Dollar filmed is in the worst crime area there

[@brendatuck6871]

​@@wvhillgalI agree. Because I lived right around the corner from there. But I sure do miss it there.

[@Mountainrock70]

When you said there’s a very clean 8x8 area downtown I figured you meant feet lol

[@NickJohnson]

No it's not too bad a place downtown!

[@starphase1623]

$16, 000 for a House . Four beds and 2 bath's. Sounds like a deal . 😳😊

[@1971Vit]

Thanks for visiting my state. Did you travel to our old time millionaire city Bramwell? The good and rich days are gone for most parts of WV after the coal mining industry lost its position. We still have our beautiful New River and some tourist attractions like ATV trails or Comicon. There were big hopes when they started to build Summit Bechtel Reserve for scouts near Beckley. But in real life it didn’t produce a noticeable effect on the locals. WV has a wonderful nature and very poor, unhealthy people. So sad.

[@mathiasmichael4486]

@@HeatherDawn-f3f can will be friends

[@katiebee24601]

5:16 the guy randomly belting “Ophelia” by the Lumineers and then stopping was so fking hilarious to me for some reason 😂😂

[@NickJohnson]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rosemariedice3092]

WVa. Great areas for white water rafting. We as a family had a camper on a camp site at Big Bear lake just east of Morgantown that was absolutely heaven. Also the beautiful cheat lake just east of Morgantown. WVa has a lot of positives! I love the people of WVa for for the MOST part! There are some beautiful little towns too. I had many years of wonderful vacations there! It was about a 5 hour drive from where I live, I’d travel there as often as I could for long four day weekends, and 1-2 week trips 4-6 times a year! Beautiful country! Absolutely loved it ✌️ Rosey 🇺🇸

[@russellmcelveny1014]

It's a pity to see so many empty houses that still have good bones going to waste instead of being bought as fixxer uppers and turned into some nice first time buyer family homes.

[@kevinkelly1656]

Yeah those homes weren't empty.

[@eriq54321]

So many good paying jobs left

[@Vaniity_Velvet]

Them aint empty Mi Amigo. Some of them are Trap Houses and some of them are just very, very badly maintained. Suffice to say there probably aint a lick of copper left in the ones that actually are abandoned, assuming there are no squatters you'd probably need a hazmat team to clean them out because of the dirty needles and human waste everywhere.

[@ChatBloom]

The empty houses could be used to built affordable housing for the homeless and renters. Renters should just steal these vacant homes instead living in the landlords house. The government should pay landlords reparations and let the renters stay in these houses!!

[@Vaniity_Velvet]

@@ChatBloom If you saw the inside of these houses, you wouldn't want to live in them

[@tyronetb3]

New sub. I found you from me watching a random video on Slab City and I eventually fell in the rabbit whole of these type of tour of the city vids and I came across one of your "Poorest City" vids or something. Then KZbin did it's thing and youve been poppin up on my page. I've only subbed to you and 2 other ppl, lol.

[@erietube]

I travel a good bit to the Hatfield McCoy ATV trails in southern WV. Have not yet seen a reason to stop in Charleston yet. QW just pass thru and hang out tin the towns of Gilbert, Man , and Matewan. One suggestion for getting folks to stop and visit the city. Ensure that there are safe parking areas for trucks with trailers since most folks are hauling at least one valuable ATV or SXS on a trailer.

[@NickJohnson]

Good idea!

[@YoucancallmeMarcie]

I had hoped you’d come to Parkersburg! One hour from Charleston!

[@salty_flightdeck_cpo]

Capital of West Virginia, CHARLESTON: West Virginia's Capital Is In A Bad Place Right Now. Capital of Louisiana, BATON ROUGE: Hold my Beer.

[@tyronetb3]

Thank you for the content! I like when you're able to talk to someone like the archivist that know about their city and y'all can have good conversation and insight.

[@larryn1929]

Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Life is old there. Older than the trees. Younger than the mountains growing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home. To the place I belong West Virginia, mountain momma. Take me home, country roads. John Denver

[@fwilliamcony28]

Love that new Ford Motors commercial that uses Country Roads in its background. Great PR for WV.

[@cris-br7xj]

According to Guinness book of world records Charleston has the longest block in the world. A little town west of Charleston is a place called cross lanes which is the largest unincorporated city in the world. We also have the longest bridge in the US I think and I was a kid when town center mall was being built which has filed for bankruptcy twice so far. Capitol market at the end of capital st which used to be a train station. It's basically a farmers market. The oldest building is on the river at the end of capital st.

[@Smurfyis730]

My great great grandma lived in Charleston, she lived to be 104. Her house was beautiful on the corner. She said she didn’t want to leave me the house because of the neighborhood being so bad and said the house had too many problems. My purse was stolen out of my car while visiting her. My grandfather had a house on the lanes. I remember the railroad tracks being forever long. I love the sound of trains especially at night idk why I love that sound so much, maybe memories of spending summers in WVA.

[@majordolbyscat]

Buck’s Place being left deserted because “most of the regulars have died off” reminded me of when I worked on cruise ships and our home port was Whittier, Alaska… there was a bar there called The Anchor, I remember Bev, the then owner showing me a book of remembrance of all those who once drank there but who had since past on. That bar was pretty much empty till a cruise ship was in port. I feel for Buck. And Ginger Wixx playing at The Empty Glass to that one bar headbanger thought kind of you to mention her name in this video (certain to now reach a wider audience than performing there;) Love this series. All the best from the UK.

[@NickJohnson]

The headbanger loved Ginger.

[@majordolbyscat]

@@NickJohnson Rock on Nick

[@monmixer]

I was working in Charleston at Blues Festival they were trying to get rolling about 10 years. It was not down town but close and we stayed in the Holiday Inn that is on the main street that runs by the river that she is speaking off and right across from the amphitheater down there that is on the river. We checked in after we got every thing set up on a Friday. It was probably about 8 in the evening when we wrapped up system testing and were ready for the acts in the after noon the nest day. There was a festival of some sort going on that street and a band playing on that river stage. I smelled all that festival food and when I got in my room I took a shower and got dressed and intended to go get me steak or sausage sandwich or maybe a real corndog and when I walked out the door everything was gone. I was only in there for 45 minutes. The entire festival was gone. Must have been all food trucks and done at 9. I have never seen a part disappear so fast in my life. I walked all over down town and couldn't find a decent place to eat so myself and the other engineer that came down just started walking because we were hungry and this was a frigin Friday night. Finally we found a Denny's and back then Friday was all you can eat crab legs so we hit it just 20 minutes before they locked the door. they lest us eat until we were done. thank You Denny's employees in Charleston 10 years ago one Friday night for letting two starving sound guys eat.

[@bmw328i8]

Hey Nick! Me and my girlfriend went down there last year to buy a puppy, we saw a drug deal right in front of us at a gas station ⛽️ 😂 super grimy and sketch! And I live in Henry county VA! So I know grimy and sketch 😂

[@richardmorris7063]

Remember when you used to go downtown & see a few drunks & hobos? Boy those were the days ,,lol

[@NickJohnson]

What did you name your PUPPY???? 🐶 🐕

[@bmw328i8]

@@NickJohnson we named her zoey! 😂 🤷🏼‍♂️ 😂 meth and coke didn’t seem to fit as well 😂

[@forevermetalartm.winegart]

Hay Nick next time you're in n.west az. Check out Meadview. It'd a town with about 1200/1500. It's nickname Is Meadview one way in one way out. Where the Grand canyon ends and Lake Mead begins . I've been here 20 years pretty cool place. Love your channel.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Mike!

[@larryn1929]

That person bent over at The Empty Glass is probably a heroin person. Look up Kensington Ave in Philadelphia and you can find a lot of people doing the same pose.

[@dannyjomacowan6409]

Not herion its fentinyol.. herion dont do that unless you have done alot of it i mean alot . And we dont have real good herion no more its all benzo dope !!! This is a fact 💯

[@prescottlange]

I'm only 30 seconds in and had to stop the vid- Nick, what happened to that little doggy on the side of the road??

[@NickJohnson]

He's ok!

[@LukeN3]

Well.. I’d still choose that city over many other cities where you’re allowed to just pick up items in a store n walk out

[@NickJohnson]

I know!

[@dionysus1016]

So what's wrong with being High; having your spirits uplifted. Please explain.

[@cassiemontgomery45]

As an addict with almost 8 years clean, I am more than happy to tell you. I had a pretty good life. I worked as a licensed practical nurse, my husband worked for the federal government,and our house was almost paid for. I went through a period where I was upset that I couldn't become pregnant despite all of the fertility meds and procedures, and I decided to turn to prescription opiates to "uplift my spirits ". I was functional for awhile, but then I began to prioritize the drugs over everything. I doctor-shopped, I stole, and I was also drinking alcohol on top of all of that. I lost everything eventually and I didn't care for awhile. I lost my nursing license, my husband, my home, my dignity, and many family and friends. It all came to a head in 2015 when I stole some of my terminally ill father's pain medicine. He was dying of pancreatic cancer, and it's a horrifically painful one. I'm just thankful that I didn't leave him without. I should have gone straight to jail. After my criminal lifestyle was exposed, I decided to clean my act up because I didn't want to be a monster and I certainly didn't want to end up in prison. It has taken me nearly a decade to rebuild my life, and I am truly grateful. I am one of the lucky ones. Most do not make it out. That's what is wrong with "uplifting one's spirits ". If you look into the abyss,the abyss looks back at you.

[@brianfuller757]

I'm in Charleston frequently and drugs are a huge problem. That said, pay a visit to Trenton NJ if you want to see a really depressing state capital. 😕

[@marcelmoulin3335]

Thank you for your films. Watching from the Netherlands, I wonder if there are many "pleasant, attractive" cities and towns in the United States? There is so much pitiful poverty. We Dutch do not see that in our country.

[@CT-uv8os]

After 70 years of the American people paying for your defense I guess you would have nice cities wouldnt you? By the way how much do you think Royal DUTCH Shell played a hand in messing up East Palestine Ohio considering how much they own stock in Black Rock and Vanguard? Or the Cracker busting plant YOUR ROYAL FAMILY built on the Ohio River. And we won't talk about the Chevron /Donbas mess. As if you care....

[@joiamed8544]

There must be some

[@ccjones813]

Born an raised & will die a Mountaineer! Yes we have a lot of issues here but we a ton of positive things going for us! Besides our natural beautiful outdoors our people are by far the truest more caring kind hearted giving friendly souls you’ll ever meet!

[@Solopraneur]

I have to agree. I grew up in Charleston, but now I live in Cincinnati. I can tell you from my experience that the “drug problem” in Charleston is really kind of tame compared to what I have witnessed here. I know about 10 years ago Huntington had that a few days where they had a batch of bad stuff come through in like several dozen people overdosed back to back, but other than that I don’t hear the kind of mind-boggling numbers coming out of that area. I think Charleston is amazing,and I haven’t ruled out coming back there at some point.

[@RandomBoxingGuy]

It’s funny, when you ask people in a small town “So, why the kids here on drugs?”…. The answer is always, “Well, there’s just not much to do here… so they get on drugs.” BUT, by that logic… there shouldn’t be much drug use in large cities, right? 🤯

[@poorpluto94]

Do you know if you have to be a remote worker for the offer or can you do it if you work in a high need field like healthcare ? Trying to go somewhere with a lower cost of living and am curious

[@neilcorby6259]

I'm always astounded with these videos of the amount of poverty in one of the wealthiest nations on earth. Masses of ghettos where townships have failed to reinvent themselves after industries have collapsed.

[@Houseof900]

Born, raised, and educated in West Virginia, and while it is true that many leave after school, it is equally true that many have stayed and have created good lives for themselves and their families. There are pockets of poverty in every place in the world and while we have our share, it is fair to say that there is much opportunity here as well. The cost of living is low here, there are many recreational opportunities, and the people are kind and generous. Overall I wouldn't trade West Virginia for any other place in the US!

[@cassiemontgomery45]

My grandparents were from Hinton, WV. I've only ever been through Charleston, and that was because we were on the way to FL. I grew up in Ohio. I've lived in Idaho for 20 years and my fiance and I are looking to retire elsewhere. I wouldn't mind WV. Idaho is becoming too expensive. Even in the small towns.

[@coderlicious6565]

Does it get humid in W.V. ?

[@TyeRansom]

Yes

[@sunking45]

It looks like it has a lot of potential. Once the drug addicts start to die off, families could start to move in and upgrade the place a lot.

[@flying0possum]

The locals can't afford to pay rent anymore because these people from places like New Jersey are coming in everywhere

[@RobRVA]

Drug abuse is often passed down, when kids grow up in that as normal.

[@ciromolina3684]

What do you think of morgantown WV? Could you do a youtube video about the college towns in the Southern States? I have learned about the country by watching your unboxing videos.

[@martinwebb4556]

I visited WV last May on a 3 week road trip that took me from NY to TX. I stayed in Charleston for 2 nights and really wish I had longer. New River Gorge was amazing, but just driving through the mountains was stunning. I ventured into the back roads abit down South of Charleston and saw what I expected to see but I don't have a bad word to say about the place. I will definitely be back. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@wvhillgal]

You go through again go to the Alleghany Asylum, then over to Moundsville Prison. Some of the most stunning scenery is from east central WV up to Romney, and it looks so much cleaner

[@jdavis8610]

Awesome episode Nick.

[@jaysonbrennen95]

I travel a lot for work and was lucky enough to have had a project with the State of WV that lasted for several years. It brought me there many times and I have to say that it is one of my favorite states. The landscape is stunning, everywhere. I used to stay at that Sheraton that you’re filming from!!

[@NickJohnson]

The Sheraton is cool!

[@joannaazar7396]

Thanks for sharing! Watching from: NewJersey ❤

[@UnwrittenSpade]

Haha the mappy pepperoni roll callback made me actually laugh out loud

[@NickJohnson]

He thought we forgot about it

[@sknowman1424]

I grew up in Logan County and have lived and worked in the Charleston area for the last 38 years and I can't wait to put this place behind me in a couple years.

[@seansean681]

Where are you heading?

[@mr.naughtypants7069]

Why?

[@sknowman1424]

@@mr.naughtypants7069 Tired of 30 years of constant construction on I-64. And I am tired of the weather too hot and too wet.

[@mr.naughtypants7069]

@@sknowman1424 Don't move to Florida, It's the same.

[@sknowman1424]

@@mr.naughtypants7069 No plans at all of moving anywhere further south. I love Maine and Vermont, I will figure it out when I retire in about 6 months.

[@ThaiThom]

Someone told me Charleston, WV is a nice town. I didn't believe it. Now I know I was right.

[@meedwards5]

They may have been referring to Charles Town, WV, which is about 5 hrs north east of Charleston

[@zachcrouch168]

Hey I used to live in the house at 3:23!

[@overtimedemo4399]

Looks like a cool little neighborhood!

[@Perfectly-Imperfect]

Yes it really hurt our state when we lost most the coal mining jobs. West Virginia is a beautiful place. We depend a lot on tourism. Here in the southern coal fields the Hatfield-McCoy ATV trails bring in a lot of people from all over the world. Several famous people.

[@richardmorris7063]

Nice country when you get out of the city.

[@Perfectly-Imperfect]

@@richardmorris7063 Yes it is.

[@jeffrobodine8579]

China will buy up the property for it's coal resources just like they plan to do with Ohio for it's natural gas resources. They just need the property devalued enough first.

[@Perfectly-Imperfect]

@@jeffrobodine8579I wouldn’t put China past anything.

[@corywalker9498]

Learn new trades. Is it hard. Excuses

[@tkbell1975]

Love your videos! I’m wondering if you’ve ever watched “The Wild & Wonderful White’s of West Virginia “? It’s a trip!! That’s just about all I knew about WV until watching your stuff. I’m from coastal NC. Currently live just a little further inland in Havelock NC. It’s a military town. Not my favorite place to be , but it’s cheaper than Morehead City or Atlantic Beach , where I moved to in ‘92 at 17 yrs old. Grew up in Roper/ Plymouth area of NC. Nothing to do as a kid there but get into trouble!! Keep doing what you’re doing!! It’s great! Your commentary is everything!

[@joewelnack3283]

Thanks for your video Nick. Few people know this but the NAFTA agreement killed a lot of small and midsized manufacturers.

[@silvercash64]

What a terrific episode ! You always seem to put everything together perfectly and the result is obvious . This is one of my favorite !

[@j.bean8672]

My family moved from western NY to WV. I work in South Charleston. There is untapped potential for transportation companies & many other businesses. Charleston is the half way point for many travelers. Michigan, Illinois, the Carolina’s, Florida, Virginia… We are in the middle! So much potential for entrepreneurs!!! If you have an idea & some cash, this is the place to try it out. It’s lacking things to do for sure! Anything for entertainment for kids would be a hit. It’s unfortunate that it’s a poor state & so many people don’t want to get a job & many that have a job don’t actually work in that job. The pay is very low in Charleston. It’s a capital city for goodness sake! I see job ads for $16-$18 an hour & they want you to have a bachelors degree. It’s just very poor.

[@NickJohnson]

I agree! It is located in a great place!

[@masonbrown7977]

Morgantown and the eastern panhandle are the only thriving parts of the state. The Northern panhandle is even bad surprisingly with it only being a 30-60 mins from downtown Pittsburgh

[@pikijuiyii777]

That place can look the way it looks and i won't mind, but the crimes are what i can't.

[@brettweary8491]

Thank you for Sharing the Truth Nick