I Drove Through The Worst Parts of Detroit. This Is What I Saw.

Wow! Detroit has some really crazy areas! We begin our journey in Detroit on M102. No, that’s not a radio station. That’s 8 mile road.
We drove down 8 mile road on our way into Detroit. 8 mile road is north of Detroit, about 8 miles north of downtown.
Along the way, we saw many shuttered businesses, and other downtrodden sights.
Of course, 8 mile was made famous by the movie 8 mile, starring Eminem.
8 Mile Road has also always been the physical and cultural dividing line between the wealthier, predominantly white northern suburbs of Detroit and the poorer, predominantly black city.
You can see on this map exactly what I’m referring to. As we drive, heading west, on our left is the black population, where people earn about $30k a year, and on our right is the white population where people earn about $75k a year
Then, we left 8 mile road and hopped onto 75 South to head into Detroit proper..
We got off the 75 South at Grand Avenue and headed west. We read online that an area near Rosa Parks Blvd was particularly bad, so we went there first. As it turned out, this wasn’t even the worst area we would see.
At this point, we were 4 miles from downtown. For perspective you can see on this map where we were. The homes here were in pretty bad shape, but like what we had seen in Flint about two hours earlier, in many of these downtrodded neighborhoods, people were not outside. The streets were just eerily empty.
Did you know Detroit has lost ⅔ of its population?
I’ve been to east Cleveland once. That was really bad.
But in East Cleveland, at least they had houses, not just open spaces.
Detroit has lost 1.2 million people in the last 70 years. Of course, that’s because of the auto industry decline, mostly. That’s pretty common knowledge.
In the neighborhood we were in, rent was about $450 a month for the entire house. You can see why.
Now, we’re going to let this go for a minute or two and then take you to the worst area we saw that morning.
So we left that neighborhood and took Linwood, one of the really bad thoroughfares in Detroit. We wanted to go to the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood, which we read was one of the worst in the city.
Of course, Detroit has issues with crime and poverty. One in three people in Detroit lives in poverty. In 1950, 82% of Detroit was white. Now, it’s 82% black. And, of the top 12 employers in Detroit, all but 2 are government jobs. Meaning there’s not a lot of private enterprise here.
Of course, people talk of a Detroit resurgence. While the downtown area itself is improving and adding jobs, the outlying areas like this haven’t even been touched. And apparently, there are businesses who want to grow in Detroit, but they can’t find people who are either motivated or skilled to take those jobs. So the city is actively trying to recruit skilled people to the city, offering tax breaks and cheap housing.
But progress is progress, and there’s an air of hope and optimism among some Detroit folks. Mostly in areas not close to this.
For perspective here’s a map that shows where we are from downtown. We’re even closer to downtown and it’s really abandoned as we’ll see.
Now this neighborhood wasn’t really dangerous - at least we didn’t see any people lingering and never felt threatened. So whoever actually lives in this neighborhood was either hiding inside, sleeping or not home. Sometimes, you’d see a guy on a bike or a few people on their porch, but that was it.
But it was really interesting to see block after block where you would see large areas where homes were razed, and the city was essentially turning parts of the city back to nature. It’s an...urban prairie. The homes left are mostly gutted or have some sort of fire damage. Some of the alleys looked like hiking trails.
But it isn't scary. That’s because it’s early in the day, we can see, and we’re driving in a car that looks like an undercover cop car. So people are giving us a wide berth.
Now, we’re going to let this video just roll. We have about 15 minutes more of just footage, where we looked at different areas of Detroit - all on the city’s northwest end. For the most part, these areas were run down, but occasionally, as you’ll see there are small areas that aren’t too bad.
SUBSCRIBE to get REGIONAL INFORMATION about where YOU live: bit.ly/2deRUSV
Our goal is to combine recent data, fun videos, and thoughts about local culture into bite-sized snacks of shareable information. We call it bite-sized regional infotainment. We try to paint a picture of what’s happening in a region based on “Friday Night Science” - how’d you argue at a bar. To do that, we gather data from around the web to help determine a wide array of factors about where you live, things like safety, desirability, and culture.
We have another channel, too, which has other cool videos. Subscribe to it too

[@NickJohnson]

Here are all of my videos about Michigan: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yoc2qf-u4opIzKMq1XChGr7

[@adamn5821]

It's a shame. Those huge houses were probably something else in their day.

[@tallybrock391]

So sad. They're so beautiful.

[@reaganwild2809]

Those are not huge houses. Those are rooms rented to most people its not one big home. Plus most of them are used. It just look like there not because of the area its in

[@adamn5821]

@@reaganwild2809 back when those houses were built they would've been single family homes. They most recently probably were split up and rented by multiple families but those multi family dwellings can always converted back. They probably will rot into homes that need to be condemned and knock down. It's a shame regardless of how many people were living in them.

[@shortliner68]

For most of my growing up years, the five of us in my family were crammed into a two bedroom apartment on the westside of Baltimore. I would have loved for us to have been able to afford one of these older individual homes, having a whole house and yard to ourselves. It is a shame...these would have been beautiful neighborhoods back in the day and the houses are no doubt built with much higher quality materials than many of the high priced, disposable homes being built today that burn up quickly if they catch fire.

[@GrzegorzDurda]

@@shortliner68 Absolutely true. Ive sen many of those houses in may cities in the usa from that Era. Absolutely goegeous insides with huga spacious rooms and high ceiling. Many windows and lots of internal light. The materials used last for centuries. Slate roofs and thick walls. Absolute mansions by today's standards. Many people are moving back into them and renovating here in Trenton NJ. Absolute Gems.

[@kelsijodryer6348]

My unpopular opinion: Detroit looks better now than when I lived there 20 years ago when all the dilapidated houses were still standing. The green space is better.

[@iusedtoliveinmymothergary9827]

Downtown it does. Some neighborhoods around downtown have been worked on a bit, but most of them are still shitholes. The city as a whole is just too big to be financed these days.

[@tmo7734]

Many abandoned homes were taken down to prevent drug addicts from using them to hide out. Also, crime was so bad, leveling structures made policing the town easier.

[@hereforit2347]

It’s be nice to buy a beautiful large home, restore it, and purchase the surrounding empty lots and turn it into a large estate or villa. But it’s the surrounding area that would concern me.

[@durango8882]

I grew up there and I left, no jobs, crime, roads are horrible, cars stolen, robbed. Those aren’t the worst areas🤦🏻‍♂️👏🏻👏🏻

[@chelsea7xhf]

Yea I agree. I have been traveling around during the pandemic, I really feel compare to downtown LA, SF, Seattle, where a lot of homeless camp on the street, Detroit is better in someway. At lease in downtown Detroit,there is not that many homeless.

[@rabs7290]

I’m from Venezuela, and usually the poor hood have houses made with raw materials, but in Detroit you can see there are big houses abandoned or bad preserved, this shows the decadence of the city which once was the heart of the American dream

[@roseycheeks8299]

used to be the automobile capital of the world

[@tinak7235]

Can you drive thru hamtramack ?

[@VertishaftProductions]

i'm half venezuelan, I live in Aruba

[@iusedtoliveinmymothergary9827]

@@tinak7235 You will be fine there.

[@newmenalejandro1362]

@@iusedtoliveinmymothergary9827 some parts are still kinda sketchy especially when you're as white as I am I stick out like a sore thumb haha

[@breatheinpoetry]

It’s such a shame because a lot of those houses are beautiful

[@tyronesharp401]

Thought the same thing

[@davideluciano7761]

Your cute

[@MisterS.]

I'm from Russia, and Detroit looks like home to me. Poor and abandoned.

[@NickJohnson]

What part of Russia?

[@MisterS.]

Nick Johnson pretty much anywhere apart from Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Even other big cities look like trash.

[@x_x5744]

Mister S. Mother Russia!!! ✊

[@johnpeymann2783]

Is that a sales pitch as to why America should adopt Socialism?

[@cnsrd4648]

John Peymann socialism never works

[@soh4rdfrmdetroit]

I've been living in Detroit my whole life and it's a pretty peaceful place except for all the abandoned houses and never walk at night in Detroit

[@reaganwild2809]

I have only lived in detroit you cant even walk in the day especially not where i live

[@tammybrennan9506]

CorruptDemon ~ Greek town , the river walks nice, The bike paths & Eastern Market are great. They need to show more positivity geez

[@tammybrennan9506]

Eco Man ~ u can get most houses for back taxes or a few hundred & idk what time of day this is, mostly people r outside. I’ve never had any problems

[@josephososkie3029]

Small stuff. Roaches, drunk neighbors backing into your car, drunk shooting the streetlight outside your window.

[@dontabaltimore1974]

Abandoned houses are in most major cities now and if the city knocks them down and doesn't replace them with anything you have open space. Oh and by the way Latinos will eventually replace blacks as the largest populations in these places in the next few decades watch

[@valerier4308]

You can still tell that some of those old homes must have been quite beautiful and impressive. Very sad.

[@newleft2254]

It's so amazing how a place is instantly beautified when people leave. Look at the greenery... the wildlife is back. Look at those beautiful houses... I would love to live here if job and security weren't issues. I'm rooting for you, Detroit! Love from, Rojava.

[@NickJohnson]

That's sweet ❤️

[@edwardzamorski3711]

Sparsely populated now nature healing the city to many people ruin everything.

[@AngelTaylorgang809]

Lmaaaaaoooooooo

[@1L6E6VHF]

Take a look at the rural areas of Southwest Wayne County or Monroe County. Plenty of green space.

[@JonathanFritz3757]

Losing population is a hard knock for some cities, but the loss can be a blessing in disguise: When population goes down in some cities, the crime rates fall as well. Traffic jams are less intense, and public transit can be made more efficient. There is more opportunity to make those cities better spaces in the interims between population declines and future increases.

[@mactheslovac8673]

Next time take a ride down there between 11 p.m. and 4 am

[@outbackeddie]

MAC THE SLOVAC If he did that he wouldn’t be able to make these KZbin videos because he would be dead.

[@Dallas_K]

Wait until dark!!!

[@christybrown3716]

MAC THE SLOVAC just come out at dark!!!

[@richochett404]

PERHAPS A VICTIM OF GLOBAL WARMING,LIBERAL POLITITIANS.

[@toordal]

If he did that, you wouldn't see much because it would be so dark.

[@Doty6String]

The abandoned area actually looks beautiful with all the trees and grass

[@oceanbreeze6589]

Funny Lori, the video did not show one broken piece of glass and no trash any where🤔

[@kaitlynrattee495]

Also you never know if there is a body in the overgrowth of the grass or trees

[@naya8073]

Noli Pugh trust me its in there it’s mainly from there homeless drunk ppl living in the homes.

[@detroitdizthepoet313]

@@oceanbreeze6589 O it's there..

[@b.j.banditt2046]

@Lori Hanks I know what u mean; I live on Grayfield (Grand River btwn Shiawassee & Berg; E of Telegraph) & the house that I live in has numerous pieces of broken glass on the property. Also; the property nxt door 2 where I reside has 2 houses on the same property (bizarre; eh?). Nvrthlss, luv the relative peace & quiet of my neighborhood.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

It's really sad. Those homes were craftsman homes in their heyday. They had some nice woodwork in them. I remember seeing them in the 60s when I was a kid before the riots. We would go to Detroit once in a while---had relatives that lived there. We lived in Dearborn Heights until 1970 when we moved to AZ. (Jan Griffiths).

[@creativedream7395]

Can you please explain to me, what happened to Detroit Michigan I heard it was once beautiful what happened?

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

@@creativedream7395 Government closed down the automotive and associated industries. Moved them to other countries like Mexico, and the sales of foreign cars overtook the market. And "white flight"---the movement of white people to the suburbs. No jobs, so the homes and neighborhoods fell into disrepair. There's other reasons too, but I won't touch on them here. (Jan Griffiths).

[@talzotar7580]

@@douglasgriffiths3534 yeah pink people did not want to be around blacks and other minorities because they were an are considered subhuman of a course the government brain washing work all to well in all Hollywood weird movies, portraying all minorities as evil an drug dealers.

[@soniasg8639]

@@douglasgriffiths3534 That's messed up.

[@shellieperreault6262]

@@douglasgriffiths3534 You mean, the problem with Detroit were and are the idiots who voted for Coleman Young and who keep voting for the current city council...

[@edwardr7577]

This has got to one of the best Detroit video's. I like the way that you clarify the locations on the map and give interesting information. Keep these types of Videos coming please. Very interesting.

[@brendanbressler9807]

Can you please come back and drive through the NICE parts of the city? People who have never been here just assume the entire city is bad and run down, it's not. I've lived in downtown for five years and have seen major improvements and development. Take a drive around downtown, midtown, New Center, Corktown, Eastern Market, and Rivertown. Those are all nice spots. There are still a lot of old historic residential neighborhoods that have beautiful homes. Belle Isle is a beautiful spot with nature and great views of the skyline. Yes I know Detroit has many bad areas and I've driven through a lot of them, but the constant negative outlook on the city gets really old. I've had a lot of guests at the hotel I work at mention how great downtown looks and had no idea the city core had improved so much. The city as a whole has a long way to go, but it's definitely gotten better.

[@mikedtw]

I was just thinking about how close this guy was to the Boston-Edison area with its enormous, grand old homes and tree-lined boulevards. And that's Detroit, a study in extreme contrasts for decades now.

[@indiadelon8771]

Thank you!!!

[@carolferguson19]

You got it 👍 Exactly ‼️

[@theliveingshitpost2316]

Dearborn

[@JohnSmith-ct5jd]

Are there any nice areas of Detroit?

[@mikeysix3]

Lol ... The hood sleeps during the day and is up all night

[@NickJohnson]

yes they were definitely asleep

[@frank-xp6pj]

not in this day & age....drive thru at night & it's the same as the day....very desolate.

[@-SheepDog-]

@@frank-xp6pj You must not be going to the right parts because I've seem more cracked out mfs out fuckin around at 3 am than I ever have during the day

[@oldcigarette7538]

@@-SheepDog- How have you, are you some wacked out taxi driver like Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver?

[@bignagurski7688]

Nampires?

[@joeylewis8615]

Those urban prairies are incredible. It's almost impossible to imagine all of those green spaces had beautiful homes on them in the not so distant past. It would be stunning if video existed and be able to do a then and now montage. The remaining structures are still gorgeous examples of architecture though. I hope Detroit continues to heal.

[@NickJohnson]

We agree!

[@chelsiisonn5870]

This is the most peaceful video ever... I live in metro Detroit, I used to drive through there while it was snowing and listen to calm music like this. One of the best experiences of my life.. lol

[@CeeJay____]

A lot of Detroit neighborhoods give me the "small town blues" vibe. A lot of these places had utterly beautiful homes back in the 50's and 60's, but they've just been left to sit for the past couple decades. It's sad, really.

[@donrutter6765]

Well, Detroit has been democrat government since 1957. Go figure.

[@CeeJay____]

@@donrutter6765 Please shut up.

[@Heroinexoxo]

@@CeeJay____ He isn't wrong though. lmao

[@CeeJay____]

@@Heroinexoxo He's not wrong, but my comment isn't political and I want it to stay that way.

[@RayPointerChannel]

@@donrutter6765 That's not accurate. Detroit had a Republican Mayor, Mariani until 1961 And don't blame Democrats when the prosperous era was under them. But the alleged "riot" of 1967 did a disservice to the reputation of Mayor Kavanah, the Democratic Mayor who was blamed for what was really a staged event promoted by real estate agents and outsider agitators designed to create fear of declining property values and promote real estate sales in Oakland County. In the process the Middle Class left the city and along with them went the tax base. Likewise corporations moved out as well and ceased paying taxes to Detroit . THAT in short is what caused the dramatic decline of the city.

[@howarda4242]

Actually used to be much much worse! The city has been cleaned up substantially. Over 16000 homes and old structures have been torn down in the last 5 years . A long way to go still but a vast improvement nonetheless.

[@marymcguffin9370]

How grand those big house must have been back in the day. I'm sure Detroit was beautiful place when the auto industry provided so many jobs. People did take pride in their home. With out a decent job it's hard to maintain a life a home and all that one use to have. I love the Eastern Market area and other areas of Detriot. There is still alot of good to be said about the city. 😄💕

[@NickJohnson]

Yes Mary!

[@josephagnello9335]

Correct.

[@sdcoinshooter]

60 years ago, I was born in Royal Oak and lived in Clawson until my family moved when I was a teenager. It makes me sad to see this, imagine if that area was safe? The housed would be incredibly valuable with all the open space. Good luck Detroit, I hope you come back better then ever.

[@beckyodom2097]

There's some beautiful older style houses in Detroit.... It's so sad to see it going to ruin

[@aidentomashik935]

Sad to see I wish everyone could see what that place looked like in the 40s and early 50s some of the most beautiful neighborhoods

[@mariocasella4816]

Your videos are absolutely great! Thank You for providing these views of America, the good. bad, ugly, and beautiful. I love the fact that you let the camera do most of the talking while you interject interesting information about the locations. The music is always perfect. Great work !

[@teaeff8898]

I’m appreciative of the people who keep there houses up! Looks good!

[@richardlong3745]

To have seen Detroit when it was the heart of our nations economic and manufacturing core would have been such a awe inspiring thing to witness first hand.

[@theintelligentone8150]

They all turned their backs now money is invested they want to come back!

[@LynMaarouf]

Richard Long I did. Even worked an afternoon shift at GM in my college years. It was an awesome place to grow up. I think the new mayor has things moving in a better direction.

[@ridef0rlife]

@LAFOLLETTER to bad, they are coming back and it will help your economy

[@Tinyfurball]

I read it was getting better. But I don't know. Commifornia is getting there like Michigan.

[@nojopro908]

My grandma moved there in the late fifties it's amazing how beautiful she said it used to be. Where everyone knew each other. You could Chuck her treat without getting ran over by a car. People didn't shoot People. Everybody had jobs and homes actually had value.

[@mewuvpichu]

I Love how much grass and trees they have at least c:

[@yvymareena3050]

Are you crazy!!!!!! The grass and trees trying to stay alive, they struggle!!!!!!!!😰

[@Vgp-rp4iu]

Oh yea the thugs like it too. Good place for them to hide their murder victims

[@baniksagar]

i thought i am the only one finding this city beautiful

[@l.a.crenshaw5952]

thats what i like about detroit ,nature is taking over, so romantic

[@earlr9381]

@@l.a.crenshaw5952 I'm sure the land looked better before the first building was constructed. What goes up must come down. Time changes everything and we mortals witness just a small glimpse within our lifetime.

[@FullyCharged22]

Ah, East Cleveland. We warn travelers that it's like a warzone. It's not recommended to go if you value your life.

[@mycklaflonscamping1398]

Tell me more

[@soniasg8639]

Please tell us some stories. Did you or someone you know had a bad experience?

[@FullyCharged22]

I've driven through east Cleveland. People roll through stop signs, I've had kids chuck rocks at cars, entire streets are abandoned. Anthony Sowell prowled the streets of east Cleveland without fear, even when the woman escaped and screamed, no one called the cops. Gunshots are common, as is gang violence.

[@ripped181]

@@FullyCharged22 I've lived on east 99. For 14 years. It's not as bad as you're making it out to be. Especially during the day. Def not a warzone.

[@nepta00]

This is your first video I have seen. As someone born in the early 80s I appreciate Mappy so much. Reminds me of videos I watched growing up. How delightful.

[@dorisbilley8991]

It’s sad they look like they would have been such nice neighbourhoods back in the day.

[@marybrown7203]

@Frank B Parker It is all by design, and not limited to one political party. Part of the master design, was /is to keep you believing as you do.

[@yvymareena3050]

Juste take out black people and U will see !!!!!!!! 😅

[@Kodeb8]

They were! Detroit used to be a great city back when all the big American car brands were running properly! Unfortunately, after the 1973 oil crisis, people started buying the more fuel friendly Japanese cars and American car brands had to fire a lot of people and close down a lot of factories. This is one of the main reasons why Detroit fell so hard.

[@silloweet]

@Frank B Parker New York isn't run by blacks, what's your excuse for that?

[@sandraculter869]

They WERE nice back in the day. Car industry left, drugs, murders, AIDS, the welfare system all played a part.

[@brianbrantley8821]

DAMN, IT'S LIKE A FREAKIN' GHOST TOWN.

[@essem5143]

Just wait til’ the shooters wake up in the noon

[@anthonyc4138]

@@essem5143 lol

[@itsnats8007]

It wont if U VIST

[@gigi-bs3ie]

Wait until the rest of the US is like this, that will be really sad, I hope that new president will truly give us that extra $1,000 a month, maybe that will help some.

[@steveshears890]

Brian Brantley why?

[@ugmagir2641]

nature is starting to take over it's unfortunate but also cool and captivating in a weird way. I hope for the best for this place.

[@endrankluvsda4loko172]

This was really interesting. Thank you.

[@marktwain380]

Can you imagine getting lost in the dark around here?

[@zap2960]

Dead.

[@acjayc]

Rest in peace 🙏. No one is helping you for Jack. They'll most likely Rob you, if you're Unlucky enough...dead.

[@olekthefgmo9335]

I'd sleep in a bush and hide there until early morning like 7AM then at least try to get someone to help me find my way out... no way I'd ask for help at night

[@sadiewood8539]

current mission- *survive*

[@gabrielledennis549]

I did once. I got lost at 10pm during a bus trip. It doesn’t help that I’m a small, 5’0” young woman. I found my way back in one piece, believe it or not. Thank God for cellphones 🙏.

[@kenking9114]

Land returning to nature. Yards in desperate need of mowing. Trees suffering amateurish pruning. Unsubstantiated rumors of wild dog packs. Ominous music playing in the video. Oh the horrors! I never knew that Detroit was this nice.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

The dog pack thing is not unsubstantiated. They are a huge problem. I've seen video of those packs roaming the streets like they do in India, Russia and the Middle East. Only difference is the street dogs of other countries are all feral looking mutts. The street packs in Detroit are pit bulls and pit types.

[@marybrown7203]

These homes were so big, I can't imagine the cost of maintenance. Especially as jobs left the area. The City has been working hard to get rid of the evacuated homes, leaving greenspace, albeit poorly mainttained. I'm guessing there are areas worse than this. And other areas where community gardens are plentiful, in the now available land.

[@michaelclayton3114]

@@DoubleDogDare54 - It is something .They somehow decide who is the leader .So this massive collection of dogs wander around like cattle .Except they sometimes run .They will stay clear of the chestnuts - because those hurt that sponge surface under there feet . Don't know if those trees are still around - been 1996 since I was there for my mother's funeral .

[@zephsmith3499]

@@marybrown7203 Thanks for mentioning that, it's good to hear; watching the video I was thinking "wow, there's lots of space for community gardens...".

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

@@michaelclayton3114 The dogs will revert back to pack mentality. They are descended from wolves, after all. Their behavior naturally would be similar. They are no longer a domesticated animal. (Jan Griffiths).

[@AnObservantTraveller74]

Great video!

[@KennyMoe7mile]

Do the best parts next. Detroit has some beautiful areas too

[@NickJohnson]

I should but is that interesting?

[@KennyMoe7mile]

@@NickJohnson good point. I'm a huge fan of your channel and also a resident of Detroit. It just intrigues me how my city has this awful reputation(I know statistics) and it's really not that bad. In any event much success to you and the channel

[@cbow5582]

Ken Moe I agree

[@daniellebush6123]

Right

[@RealBron03]

Nick Johnson yes. If you do the bad, why not the good unless you wanna focus on the bad

[@riccogee]

Nick the shooters don't wake up til arnott 12 noon. So mornings are typically slow.

[@NickJohnson]

I know that's why went when I did Raynell. Do you like it there?

[@sitdowndogbreath]

@@NickJohnson I bet you he does maybe he's part of the shooting pack

[@chairmanmeow3693]

I was thinking everyone was at work

[@sitdowndogbreath]

@@chairmanmeow3693 you're a funny guy

[@chairmanmeow3693]

@@sitdowndogbreath Just trying to keep it real.........................funny

[@l.thegirl2581]

I worked downtown until about 2010. When I left, there were empty 10 or 20 story buildings. A big residential or maybe hotel building down the street from the hospital where I worked was abandoned. There were still rags of filthy curtains blowing in the wind in some of the upper story broken windows. It reminds me of New Orleans after Katrina. I guess I'm used to the empty spaces now. It was worse when the decrepit buildings were there. The woodwork inside some of the old buildings is astounding. Early 1900s craftsmanship.

[@l.thegirl2581]

@@donjon5704 you're right re downtown. And midtown. The area around Wayne State to me is kind of unrecognizable. It used to be so much more decrepit! The old houses around 2nd are spiffed up, the mud lot where you could park for classes and walk thru the hood is gone (I think). It's a completely different vibe.

[@cyndid6605]

@@donjon5704 I was last downtown in 2017 and I was shocked when I watched a video tour of what it looks like now. If covid didn't slow it down it would be even further. It really looks great.

[@who7056]

Love your channel. This is one of the first I heard with background music. GLAD YOU GOT RID OF IT. I like your new ones WITHOUT the music much better! We want to hear you! ❤️

[@rosabrown3141]

So sad to see those two story homes empty !!!!!

[@NickJohnson]

I know

[@lisabolo26]

Yeah, NJ's got 4 of the poorest cities in U.S., with almost no hype! The discussion needs to switch from urban blighting to the truth abt U.S. poverty.

[@sevensurvival]

Now I want You to drive through the beautiful neighborhoods of Detroit, and film that.

[@NickJohnson]

where should i go? do you know the areas Ivan?

[@michaelclayton3114]

They never show the better areas only the bad - grew up there I i have never seen such beautiful places like they have on average .

[@lowbll1]

What would that be, a 2 minute video?

[@michaelclayton3114]

@@lowbll1 WRONG !

[@khalilt6508]

Nick Johnson Palmer woods and the 8 mile Southfield area

[@juliemccrea5481]

Those maps are really helpful. My big complaint about other videos is that I can't tell exactly where the driver is located at any point in the video. Good job for adding the map feature.

[@socialworkersanonymous]

This type of videos get me kind of emotional! I spent many years from my childhood in Ferndale (across 8 mile) my whole family is from Detroit. We used to go to visit family all over the city (well the west side)spent much of my time at Adams Butzel rec center and at Hartford Memorial ❤️ It didn’t look like this during my time there (90’s) went back in 2014 and it looked so abandoned 😞 so much of my family’s history is in this city. I will always have a special place in my heart for Detroit ❤️

[@NickJohnson]

😞

[@michaeldillon9080]

Some of those old Brown Stone Buildings had to be Beautiful back in the day

[@NickJohnson]

i know! so sad. now theyre ruined forever.

[@hannahnummer8407]

Nick Johnson can’t say forever! Slowly but surly the city is making its way back up, and many of these homes are being restored

[@AlvinSeville1]

Here's a tidbit of info. for Mappy. Detroit is the only place in the continental United States that Canada actually is crossed going south! That's right! To get from Detroit to Windsor, Ontario, you actually go south.

[@NickJohnson]

I saw that!

[@BrandonMaceira-go1gs]

It's funny as hell being I'm ftom California and I was up there

[@thefozzybear]

As a Canadian I knew that.

[@corin164]

Big flippen deal.

[@michaelg6641]

Ya, and its pretty funky over there too, but amazing view of D. city without actually being there!

[@diegoolivarez1]

I think it's weird how these poor areas are huge brick homes. It's obvious that these areas weren't always bad.

[@richardpichan6916]

Most were beautiful inside...plaster with coped ceilings, lost of hardwood flooring and nice molding. A lot of the sears houses were pretty ornate

[@barackollama6568]

I just dont think some of the neighborhoods have been tou hed or "updated" in song time. That's why some of the houses look dated

[@justinmeyer3364]

This channel is A+

[@michaelhegyan7464]

Great video guys, it really breaks my heart to see what has happened to this once great city. My Grandparents once had a very thriving grocery business on W. Jefferson, from the 1920's through 1969. They closed it up after the 67' riots made the area too dangerous. People forget with diminished tax base and a ciry larger than Philadelphia ( Country's 6th largest ) Detroit, unfortunately will remain a continuous city of plight and poverty.

[@JohnDaker_singer]

My hometown, Middleburg, Florida, makes Detroit look like the Hamptons. It's so bad that the nicest restaurant is Popeye's. The richest guy in town actually paid cash for his chrome rims.

[@NickJohnson]

How much are chrome rims?

[@JohnDaker_singer]

@@NickJohnson These are some pretty sweet rims, Nick. Must be at least $150.

[@JohnDaker_singer]

@@bextar6365 Because I fit in.

[@AlvinSeville1]

@@AuroraBoarder1 It's between Northburgh and Southburgh, FL.

[@NickJohnson]

Haha @john daker I saw a guy in Danville Illinois with the shittiest 2004 sedan with suicide doors on it. And he went in to the gas station to get swisher sweets and left both doors up when he went inside. He thought he was so pimpin

[@albqdeboz]

As a born and raised Detroiter who is really proud of how Detroit is fighting to turn things around and I am impressed by the changes I have seen in the last decade

[@the13corinne]

I enjoy these videos love the music by the way , Who is it from ! ?

[@mrgreen8887]

I'm happy to see so many people say good things about Detroit. Every city has it's good and bad area's but every city didn't start off with the first AUTOMOBILE ! Detroit was an economic beast from 1900 until the 1970's and them big o abandoned houses were really baby mansions back then. Great Videos thank you 👍

[@joebartolo5535]

Detroit looks heavenly compared to Camden NJ. Only time u drive there is when you are going from Philly to Jersey or going to the aquarium at day time

[@liamdoes8580]

@Truth Reigns Forever em....

[@carmenmonoxide7459]

You ain't never lied! The Aquarium is the ONLY reason to venture into Camden, NJ.

[@sorcerer666]

Yes I agree. Very similar, except Camden has people walking around

[@NickJohnson]

People go to Camden to look at starfish?

[@averyy2217]

Trust me, he didn't even touch the worst parts

[@Dd-uj9tl]

i like mapy . nice vid great work you did ....

[@22483johnnie]

I would have loved to see Detroit at its peak. I can't imagine how awesome it would have been

[@bakerinthehouse5346]

The old houses are so beautiful. Detroit is going through a rebirth, thankfully.

[@mikaelwojciechowski7281]

Yeah, I was just about to say the same thing :)

[@Dallas_K]

Just like the rebirth in the 80s, and the rebirth in the 90s. I had enough in the 2000s and moved to Florida.

[@michaelclayton3114]

A lot of areas have had some improvement - even new houses in areas , they don't show on here . Only same old video they borrowed from others .

[@honestytoafault]

no it's not...... or if it does it will be taken over by muslims

[@beverlydavid581]

I noticed that about the houses. So many beautiful old homes in that city now in ruins. I would love to see them refurbish. They don't build them like this anymore.

[@NickJohnson]

Please subscribe to my new channel here: kzbin.info/door/aaUXch8Wm42KSdYh6p8ffA I'll be doing almost all new content on this new channel, Planet Snacks. If you love my channel, you'll love the new one more. Promise :)

[@jjdaman2149]

Nick Johnson I used to live there until my cuz got killed

[@CRFord-gm5me]

Thought about subscribing until I read your comments..

[@MrGlume]

Why this s *** music ?

[@debbiem9218]

Just subscribed! So sad to see all these empty and desolate areas of Detroit, it's hard to believe that it was once one of the best states in the U.S. I had neighbours up here in Canada who moved to Detroit in the 1940. He went to work for the Detroit Free Press. When all the riots broke out they returned to Winnipeg. They had so many great things to say about Detroit in its heyday. We used to get the Detroit News up here on our televisions with a subscription, but they took the station away as they said the news was to violent. Not sure what they meant by that as Winnipeg is one of the highest crime cities in Canada. At one time it was the highest even above Vancouver and Toronto. Thanks for showing this video.

[@jodyrewa688]

The residential architecture is so charming. I enjoy learning about Detroit 😀

[@melaniev8181]

Theres really noting to be afraid of ... except for the liquor stores at night

[@niy3511]

Melanie V right 😂

[@Aaron48219]

Pretty much this. Unless you're from the suburbs and shouldn't be here. The criminals can smell suburbanite fear a mile away and will attack like those packs of feral dogs.

[@Aaron48219]

@Amy D You never seen the giant rats downtown, have you?

[@Aaron48219]

@Amy D freaking rats the size of a 10lb Chihuahua ....lmfao! Haven't lived in the D until you've seen a rat the size of a cat.

[@Aaron48219]

@J Moore and along the west side along telegraph. Brightmoor becomes a warzone once the warm weather comes. I'm looking to move, because my kids can't play out front without worry of speeding cars, shootouts, or finding fkng syringes by the sidewalk. Ive had both a bullet come through my house (was actually on ch 2 and 4) and the syringes found. This neighborhood was so nice 20 years ago. Then the city said cops and firefighters don't have to live within city limits.

[@sweetds1]

I spent 3 weeks in Detroit with my friend who was born and raised there. I noticed the families didn’t come outside until just before dark. During the day it seemed abandoned but after dark it came to life. Thanks for the tour and good info.

[@NickJohnson]

People tried to say they were at church at 11am I feel like they were asleep

[@chrisadams416]

Black people don’t get up until 5:00 pm

[@gloriahanes6490]

Back in 1975, many of these homes were sold for a nominal price with the new owners given five (5) years to renovate and restore. The problem, the City of Detroit never checked back to see if the new owners were doing the repairs and restorations. Many owners were just holding onto the property for the land value. Thus, after twenty (20) years, the City of Detroit took back these homes and buildings because the owners did not honor the contract. Too late many of these homes and buildings had caved in roofs or the roofs were completely gone nothing to save and fast forward to 2020.

[@cyndid6605]

When I was working there (early 2000s) they were auctioning off houses dirt cheap, like less than 1K for many of them.

[@natalie5865]

I’m so happy that some parts of Detroit are slowly making a comeback

[@davecombs5457]

Thank You Nick for going where most would never dare to. Very sad. Makes me think of how terrible my hometown of Middletown,Ohio is. Moved out of Middletown 7 years ago. Very similar to Detroit.....but on a smaller scale. Love your videos.

[@NickJohnson]

Thanks Dave ❤️. It wasnt even that bad. I hope you like my complete reversal from this next week;)

[@myfeetmyjoy]

Right, looks silimar to the neighborhoods where I stayed for 2 years in Ohio. But I didn't feel terrible while I was there 😂😂😂😂, should I ??

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

Lots of neglected homes, but not a single decrepit car. If anything the cars I see are all recent types.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

People have their priorities. I'll bet those neglected homes all have big screen TVs and the residents all have the latest iPhones so they can complete their drug deals in a timely manner.

[@50zcarsman]

I noted that, too. No pimpmobiles, now, just working-class commuting cars/Nipponboxes, in in none too bad shape at that. Also note: virtually no burned-out or stripped vehicles -- guess the city cleared them away. There's been a winnowing -- the roaches have been deprived of cover by the demolition program, leaving only homeowners and tenants with decent cars.

[@robertshea4652]

I saw quite a few K-cars roaming around or on the side in this video. Also if you go on street view you can find a couple Chevy Caprice Classics still around lol

[@jamesons6770]

Motor City Baby!

[@1L6E6VHF]

@@DoubleDogDare54 Big screen TVs? LOL. Big screen TVs have been extremely inexpensive the last five years. One week's food for a man and his wife is more expensive than a big screen TV.

[@endrankluvsda4loko172]

I love the music playing during this video!

[@Auny111]

Oh Detroit, I have an undying love for your history and music/art culture that still lingers today. The old industrial area is pretty insane to check out too - there are even art events held in these buildings. What looks like an old abandoned warehouse could be an underground art show or concert. There's so much this city once offered and still does even in it's injured state- it will make it's come back 🙏

[@irenekhanoba8305]

No

[@timebandito4278]

I'm halfway through, and for the most part, it doesn't look all that bad. Some of those houses are really really nice, in fact. I live in So Cal, and a lot of those houses would go for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Pomona has architecture like this, on very scenic streets, and those houses sell for a lot....up to the millions. This is crazy!! The only thing is that many of those houses are spread so far apart -- why is that? Who owns the land? The scenery is beautiful. I live in a concrete jungle so I can really appreciate that.

[@demartin975]

I wish someone would start a project to just move them all together inside the city limits and maybe have a green belt circling a smaller but urban new Detroit.

[@DontcallmeaCuck]

You serious lol ? There were houses that got torn down In between those other homes

[@dolly6323]

God, I wish that you will help Detroit Michigan to overcome it's problem's with poverty and high crime. Lord God, please lift the curse off of this state. Amen,

[@NickJohnson]

God knows it's on his list 😉

[@anthonygilmore5969]

God has solved this problem ions ago at calvary. Jesus's blood comes with an economic forever long stimulis package. The body of Christ can overnite reform Detroit if it believed that the Lord had to work through them to do it. But the folks have no belief in the Lords economic covenant.

[@marianazinsou7539]

So sad. Beautiful place with lots of potential. This is about government and politics that clearly shows that don’t care about people of Detroit. Hello , is anybody that cares ? God loves all of us but, he will not do the job for us. Do something about it and God will multiply!!!!

[@jellybelly111]

I'm only praying that this city will become prosperous (or at least close to it) like it once was

[@toaster7817]

this city is doomed, it's not worth praying for

[@YourHomeTorontoRealEstate]

This is really my favourite Channel! Thanks for your nice Videos, it is very enlightening, Waiting for your latest update. Debell Lane Parkette

[@silversurfer5475]

Thank you, sir. You are an urban archaeologist to be respected.

[@NickJohnson]

Urban!

[@lindawalker812]

This can happen anywhere USA when work disappears and resources are redirected to more affluent areas.

[@donrutter6765]

Or when democrats run your city since 1957 and Bill Clinton signs NAFTA and TPP.

[@michaelclayton3114]

I am from Detroit - currently living in SW .One thing I try to do is get a balance of complaints coming in about how black people destroy cites .I see people on other web pages complaining about how parts of California are bad - especially the problems in San Fran bay area and other areas there .With greed out of control and Real Estate exploding - the homeless is at a climax .People with professional salaries still ending up losing there properties , with rent out of control .And homeless people living in the streets like an epidemic .People living on top of each other and using restroom in the streets right in front of cameras .With real estate at a premium - it will get worse . Property owners are unregulated . People treat monthly rent as a bid process . Average rent is 4 - 5 thousand monthly . Towns south west of LA are trying to fight with planners in that county for land which is there land by right .This problem will roll slowly across the Western States and across US .

[@kennethwalton6]

Bout to happen in Minnesota LA and New York!!

[@marblesthecat3861]

This happens when Communists start running things

[@azmisunshine]

💯 true

[@maryreynolds8568]

It's good to see that they have cleared out the old dilapidated houses. The remaining homes surrounded by all the fields look stately.

[@filippodomenicoquarta8315]

You should organize tours..... I live in Italy now but I was born a raised in windsor until 13..... I would love to come back and see these things and also see the beautiful things!!!! You should add some soft detroit tecno music it would be to cool. Great video good work!!!!

[@NickJohnson]

if i did a tour would you pay for it?

[@filippodomenicoquarta8315]

@@NickJohnson good morning Nick, i could offer you lunch at a typical motown restaurant if they exist and pay for some gas.... If it's an earning business or income for you it would be right to pay otherwise we can have friendly day out..... I don't know it up to you.....

[@user-gs2hg8km1y]

Nice video. Detroit looks like an interesting city.

[@NickJohnson]

Everyplace is interesting

[@dougarnold7955]

Wow. Never imagined that's what it would look like there. Thanks. I'm trying to imagine what this looked like in 1950...it's like ghosts of another time.

[@mizfrenchtwist]

wowser......I remember when detroit , was a happenin' place.............you can still see the bones , of what was once really nice homes............sad............great share...............

[@kmasse81]

It is a nice place. Would be nice if he had driven through the thriving hoods and downtown area.

[@theintelligentone8150]

Yes

[@kmasse81]

@Klaus Van Heusen Never been there, I take it.

[@kmasse81]

@Klaus Van Heusen www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/travel/detroit-michigan-downtown.amp.html

[@mizfrenchtwist]

@Klaus Van Heusen .........SUCKER........HOPE YOU GET TO BE OLD............

[@diegodelapuente1665]

Thanks for making “Mappie”

[@xfuriousapex]

I've left the same comment on other Detroit videos, but . . . I grew up in rural Ohio. As a child I often saw flocks of pheasants. I had not seen a pheasant in decades until I visited the ghettos of Detroit. It was so weird to see these beautiful birds all over an urban wasteland.

[@robertvillaneda3828]

Much better but those places look so boring and depressing can’t believe it Thanks again Nick

[@NickJohnson]

Thanks I like doing these but feel I need to really see the worst worst places to justify them

[@manfredmann2766]

Nick Johnson Some Of The most dangerous parts of NYC are the eastern parts of Brooklyn. When I was a kid growing up in the metro NY area, I was amazed with how expansive the projects were near the Belt Parkway, but then again NYC as a whole was more dangerous. My grandmother lived in Coney Island back in the seventies to the early eighties and there were projects within a quarter of a mile from her apartment. Coney Island might be ok now overall, but further east is more crime ridden. In fact, Brownsville made national news last month, which is further out. If you are venturing out to or researching crime ridden areas, then I know of the following: Bridgeport, CT, East Hartford, CT, and Newburgh, NY. Bridgeport is bizarre in the sense that it is adjacent to some of the most wealthiest towns in the USA. In other words, you can drive 5 miles away from some of the worst sections and be within a slew of multimillion dollar houses. Another area I found interesting was Newark, NJ and Plainfield, NJ when I lived back east in northern NJ. Both of those towns had multiple sketchy areas, with the former being worse. Not sure if that still stands as much today as it did years ago. However, both cities are very close to places like Short Hills, Summit, Warren etc., which all have houses in excess of 1000000. Back in the early 90s, I vividly recall driving down South Orange Avenue en route to Newark and seeing huge Tudor houses in South Orange literally minutes away from urban decay once I entered the city limits of Newark. However, the aforementioned cities in both Connecticut and New Jersey were a far cry from the Eastern part of Brooklyn (i.e., Brownsville and East NY)

[@krisc2535]

Would love to visit Detroit, even the "bad parts". I live somewhere that's pretty run down and has a lot of problems, but then there are parts that are beautiful, spacious and green - it's all home, the good and the bad. That's where there are decent people who still have a sense of community and don't look down their noses at other people. Much love from the UK 🇬🇧

[@ardowongsoidjojo]

Thank you Mr Johnson,,,,,,ironicly it is a sad story your videos anyway give me some kind of entertainment....thank you

[@V.D.22]

I have to admit, the nature looks stunning in the abandoned areas. Just like my village in Transylvania, eastern Europe.

[@cward1954]

Seeing all of those old houses reminds me of Huntington, WV. 100 year old houses that look like they haven't been maintained in years.

[@icccoldstorageproducts]

Looks much cleaner than Gary Indiana

[@christopherlampkin3063]

He showed the tamed parts of Detroit.

[@AnthonyGhandour]

The calming music is so funny 😂

[@firstnamelastname7688]

I like Detroit. The best tacos iv ever had in my life came from a gas station on Michigan Avenue and Livernoise.

[@NickJohnson]

Yum!!!

[@Sub4AWillToLive]

@@NickJohnson visit livernois lmao

[@cindytepper8878]

You should try Camden or North Philly it makes that look like a paradise

[@blue2tang]

As I watched I imagined what it must have looked like 70 years ago. Not only would there be tidy houses on every lot, but there would have been children playing everywhere. The families that built and lived in Detroit had no idea they would have to upend their lives and flee the city in the coming decades. Clearly, populations aren't interchangeable.

[@MonicaM444]

You didn’t show downtown Detroit. It’s beautiful. Not all of Detroit is downtrodden. It needs big business to come in and offer jobs and hope to people. Same with Saginaw, where I’m from. Breaks my heart to see some of the really downtrodden areas. People need jobs. Where are these politicians that offer empty promises most of the time? Michigan has a lot to offer! We just need to be given the chance again.

[@bak-mariterry9143]

If you didn't let your Governor and the Democrat party cheat the best President this nation has had in over 40 years , it would have come back like you have never seen before. JAO BAI DIN WILL NEVER BE MY PRESIDENT * !

[@barbwright2845]

It’s good to see so many home removed and cleaned up

[@spiegel3269]

Imagine being a landlord and trying to collect the rent in some of those areas.

[@johnbroughton3401]

We used to love to go to Detroit until the '67 riots. After that, we found other places to go.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

We did too---had family there. They moved to Dearborn after the riots. Then we never went back because we had no reason to. Moved to AZ in 1970. (Jan Griffiths).

[@lynnpethick578]

Just left a Detroit game when those broke out, i was 10...

[@2002warlord]

I live outside of the city of Detroit I love Driving through these neighbourhoods imagining how beautiful these houses looked When they were new

[@LivvyAlexW]

The houses there are so pretty! You can only imagine how beautiful it would have been in its hey day

[@roadmaster720]

a damn shame for detroit these days. i think the city started dying in the 1967 riots and never recovered from that.

[@lubesiron-cslfarmsllc2751]

Truth. My Grandparents moved to Detroit in 1955 from east Tennessee. They said you could be out and about at night and be safe. They moved to Ferndale in 1959. But yes what you said about the race riots is what a lot of us think was the catalyst that began the demise of Detroit. Then Coleman Young as mayor really put a good screwing to the city, the Auto Industry leaving really hurt it too.

[@artaxerxes2363]

Detroit is full of lazy good for nothing people

[@MELLWALT5000]

@@artaxerxes2363 Mack and alter

[@monember2722]

They say that was the cause in many cities in the 60s. More black and angry behavior.

[@marybrown7203]

@@artaxerxes2363 I assume you live there , right?

[@raymondparsley7442]

The shadows of a once prosperous city... One can only... try to imagine the hopelessness felt by those who remain.

[@NickJohnson]

i think they kinda embrace it in a way.

[@jillspangler5139]

Yes, just as Cali residents should do. You love your state,your cities? Stay and fix them!!!

[@raymondparsley7442]

@@jillspangler5139 Can't disagree with that.... Even so, one needs the tools and skills to do the fixing... This is where you, I... and everyone comes in, by putting our money where our mouth is.... Furthermore, who and where are the politicians, local and federal, these folks voted for.

[@RayPointerChannel]

@@raymondparsley7442 part of the trouble as I understand is who owns a lot of the properties. WIth so many rentals owned by people who don't live in the city, you don't have the sense of city pride you had when the owners were actual home owners who lived in the neighborhoods.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

@@RayPointerChannel That's what needs to happen again---people actually need to OWN the homes. They take pride in something that belongs to them, and will keep it maintained. If it belongs to someone else, why should they care? That's really what's wrong with our whole country---too many rentals. I own my home, and I'm always doing some kind of improvement. Makes the house better, and I feel good having done it. (Jan Griffiths).

[@ACGreyhound04]

A lot of those areas can’t even be classified as “urban” anymore, since they look like just fields bisected by a street grid. They might as well be farms, gardens, or forest areas.

[@JoePhillips1983]

I seen a documentary and it said the dream a long time ago was to make Detroit bigger and better than New York City but sad it didn't turn out that way.