I Drove Around The Midwest For A Month. This Is What I Saw.

[@alexmanne]

The last two times I drove across the country and back, I took the backroads and stayed off the interstate. It's slower but its much, much more rewarding. You see so much and you can find hidden gems. All the states people call "boring" are because they drove the interstate.

[@lindaosika7648]

I agree the state highways are less traffic.

[@theabileneranchertar7882]

There in no state that's boring, except Alaska....about 90% of them need mental help

[@alexmanne]

@@theabileneranchertar7882 I've driven through Alaska from Yukon Territory to Anchorage up to Deadhorse and then back down to Washington State from Fairbanks. I didn't think it was boring. But I suppose some people who drive in Alaska a lot would find it boring.

[@aclonecone]

Most people have only been thru Nebraska on I 80. All of them would never know the beauty of the Sandhills and the northwestern corner. One of the prettiest places in America if u ask me!

[@Peter-rp3zs]

Interstates are indisputably safer than non-divided backroads, but I get incredibly bored driving on them. Billboards for the same chain restaurants and big-box stores, and the crushing feeling that, metaphysically, I've gone nowhere at all. About a decade ago I rode my bicycle up from the Florida Keys to Cumberland Maryland, all mostly on backroads. Would love to have the time to take a trip like that again, even if it's in my car.

[@DaveAbad777]

I love America, especially the urban sides that are not typically shown on TVs and movies. You showcase it beautifully and honestly with your videos. I always watch your stuff and I enjoyed this one. It's my dream to visit USA some time, even be a citizen!

[@facediaper09]

Where you from? I may trade my citizenship for yours.😂

[@DaveAbad777]

@@facediaper09 Philippines

[@timmyjimothy6773]

@@facediaper09 do it. dont come back

[@Bufekana]

​@@timmyjimothy6773i think it was a joke ma dude😐

[@fryuppe]

What a window on the world is KZbin - what a window on the world is Nick Johnson. Much appreciation and thanks from Scotland.

[@hushingsilence]

Ex refugee from the Inland Empire, I spent months traveling the midwest last summer too. Between Iowa and Nebraska, I mentioned the land looked pretty, and it was so flat. Guy says to me "Yeah, you can watch your dog run away for two weeks!" 😂🤣 I liked Omaha, and Des Moines areas. People are cool 😁 Oh yeah, the Corn Palace. Stopped there too. 😆

[@peggypasson8794]

Don't let the Midwest fool you we have a lot of people who are not so nice as they seem . 😂

[@greeniejeannie]

There are those but we know who and where they are. Your not likely to be caught flat footed by one. Funny how they generally run in the same family. Look up the records on them, you get dad, sons, even daughters and ex-wives on the county court records.

[@bravobravoh1344]

The Midwest has a little different class of people than the rest of the country, they have always been the friendliest, but it's hard to beat California, even though it has so many problems right now.

[@normalisntcomingback.Jesusis]

​@@bravobravoh1344lol California 😂😂

[@Diesel0807]

Dont be fooled shit people are everywhere Iowa is especially lame

[@bravobravoh1344]

The people in the Midwest are great, definitely the friendliest people in the country live there, it's just the doggone winters...

[@XX-wp8eb]

Sometimes its the silence that adds so much to this

[@alangray9117]

I appreciate this. I'm in higginsville Missouri population 4500 ❤

[@alangray9117]

Fort Dodge is one of Iowas oldest cities too. It started as a calvary outpost.

[@alangray9117]

You drove through the crossroads district of downtown Kansas City Missouri. It is a good place to live ❤

[@robertwynn5844]

This is the land where people are friendly and genuine and generous. I would never live on the west or east coast. High cost of living. Major corruption. Give me small town Nebraska for life!

[@mikedrown2721]

Watch out for the coastal tidal waves

[@EricaL2024]

I’m in rural NC. Prices aren’t high here. Small towns are usually friendlier. We don’t all live in LA or NY. You’re forgetting about the millions of people that aren’t in the cities. Living on a coast, whether east or west doesn’t define a person. There are a lot of generalizations going on.

[@kelly9094]

Less crime, less homeless communes, less used needles all over the ground, less vegans, and less feminists as well

[@leftypaws1131]

This is the land where if you get r*ped you have to keep the baby. Also if you’re mentally ill you can buy an AK 47 and go shoot up a Walmart. Conservative values am I right 😁

[@aaronaragon7838]

Yeah, because y'all look the same. It is a challenge living with different folk on the Coasts, but we're makin' it.

[@JustMirac-m8k]

Something very special about those Mid-Western/ Western sunsets I gotta say!

[@Allnightexplor]

Nick, I had a running conversation last summer with you about the Nebraska I grew up in. So glad you did a new video about the Midwest. You are one guy who "gets us" and I appreciate you sharing it with the world! Since last summer, I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer and the best memories came from men who dad gave second chances to or seeing buildings he build or hearing the story of a man who was injured in a car accident involving one of dad's employees. His son related that my dad visited his dad in the hospital everyday for a month. I am 60 and never had heard that before. So as I look at a Ball pocket watch handed down to dad from grandpa to me, I watch your video with a tear of happiness! Come on back Nick! You are always wrlcome!

[@NickJohnson]

Aww ok!! ❤️❤️

[@virginiabolt4725]

Excellent Nick love all your videos

[@Allnightexplor]

@SteveTudesco good to know. Nick does a great job with his vlogs.

[@RedneckJoe]

Amazing video. Thanks for sharing. You are living the dream having those trips. I am from brazil, a very crowded and messed up place I strongly despise. I’ve been to America several times. Drove across more than 20 states, specially on the coastal sides. I really wish to visit the interior someday. I love the emptiness, scenery, friendliness and even the ocasional honorable decay of those places. You guys are lucky to live there. Be grateful!

[@jan22150]

But yet there are woke liberals who hate this country. They want to change this country into a social experiment like China or Russia !.

[@Snorky_88]

Well with all the migrants our great president is letting into our country every day, we won't be too different from Brazil soon. Remember just like our great president says. "Diversity is our strength" 😃

[@ecclesrice9789]

The midwest holds most of my memories, from growing up in a small town to retiring in that same small town. John Mellencamp(the song "Small Town") grew up just a few miles west and so many of his songs celebrate life here. I've traveled America and i can't imagine a better place to live and work and raise children. Thanks for the tour!

[@rantsinarobe4099]

I like "Try that in a Small Town" by Jason Aldean better than the Mellencamp song - BETTER MESSAGE LOL

[@Nina-ig2gv]

Watching from Sydney. I love the country towns in the USA. That's where the friendliness and hospitality is. Would love to visit one day!

[@M13x13M]

I was in Missouri and people leave their phones on the table in a restaurant when they go to the bathroom! That phone would be gone in a minute in San Francisco, if there were any restaurants open.

[@0nillevass]

In my area of the rural midwest we also leave our purse at the table and our car unlocked outside, with the keys on the seat. 😂

[@mcap8396]

They’d be gone in St Louis Missouri if you did that…. I actually love St. Louis, just saying, can be said of any real “city.”

[@twobitsandpepper8235]

We leave our purses too lol

[@louisstennes3]

Most people don't know this but Smithfield, the largest pork producer in the USA is a Chinese company.

[@Birdrunner13]

I knew Smithfield is a China Company. They basically feed a lot of Americans everyday, how do they afford to feed us all you can eat China buffets?

[@SFbayArea94121]

The values I look for in “GOOD PEOPLE”, is not trying to go out of your way to force what you think or believe on others and just generally to leave others alone if they’re not causing you or your family hardships or harm. Just let others live their lives while you live yours. It’s just something that so many go out of their way to do in our society especially here in America. I’ve been to 42 other countries and this kind of behavior is more prevalent here than anywhere else I have been.

[@redstickham6394]

Sounds like you're saying "Live and Let Live."

[@danielwatcherofthelord1823]

Wait, are you saying people in America leave eachother alone? Or don't leave eachother alone?

[@SFbayArea94121]

@@danielwatcherofthelord1823the second option. Especially here on the west coast. Everyone has to try to beat some nonsensical ideas many don’t care anything about into others, even to people that can put them to an end especially physically

[@cjcheifer994]

Couldn't agree more.

[@superhussein]

yes but a good christian can also be a child rapist!

[@ciimoon5661]

I was raised in Cedar Rapids. Northeast Iowa was a great place to live and grow up. I still think about going back there. It does make me sad seeing all the huge ag operations. wish is was more small family farms.

[@ingridjenner6946]

Are ya just chilling, in Cedar Rapids?

[@johnforrest3070]

The Midwest is a great place to live if you can handle the winters cause of the low crime.

[@mhsmww]

Just need the right clothes and equipment :) The right attitude to keep grinding and do what you got to helps too :)

[@larryn1929]

That abandoned housing project in Kansas City KS looks like paradise compared to housing projects in NYC!

[@larryn1929]

@@wza223-fo3mc I voted for what? The Projects in NYC have been around since 1934.

[@SicilianStealth]

Abandoned housing projects which are obviously failures are so much better then a project that has life and people living in them.

[@ghostrider_414]

My favorite part of South Dakota is driving through the Badlands

[@joinjen3854]

The Black Hills are also beautiful.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Intetesting content. Small towns & cities are what holds the US together right now. We can't give up the fight against big govt, pharma & rebuild our communities from within.

[@susan5301]

I was born and raised in Omaha, and left it for Bakersfield, CA for 6 months. That was 20 years ago. I was never so glad to get out of a city! Came back to the Midwest and landed in Iowa! The Midwest is a best kept secret! Too bad you weren't here yesterday as Ragbrai began. It's when people from all over the country and sometimes the world ride their bike across Iowa for 7 days. It started here in Sioux City this year and will end up on the east side of the state. Before they begin there ride the participants dip their bike tire in the Missouri river and will dip it in the Mississippi when they finish their ride! Maybe you can see it next year, it's a big party! Thanks for a nice video about the Midwest Nick! ♥

[@Cycology_Major]

RAGBRAI’s the largest bicycle ride event *in the world*!! And it’s been on since the 1970’s 🚴‍♀️🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏼

[@susan5301]

Yes, it has!@@Cycology_Major

[@twobitsandpepper8235]

They need to pick up their trash and poop though.

[@marksmith4582]

Most of us midwesterners are friendly and welcoming. Glad you got to see my area of southeast Iowa and nearby while you traveled here!

[@carolynknighit1395]

Sabathia KS. I had a couple uncles from there. About 5 miles east of there is a little town called Morrill KS. My grandmother lived there population 300. Back in the 70s everything closed up my uncle owned the grocery store. They closed the high school. So everyone had to go to Sabathia. Thanks for sharing.

[@indigenous31617]

Small towns in Nebraska had their drama. Just far fewer issues ended in gunfire. I have lived in Littleton, CO for 22 years. The cold here is far less penetrating than it is in Nebraska... especially the cold in Omaha.

[@chrislong3938]

Yeah, I live in Longmont. When it's cold but sunny, it's t-shirt weather! Nothing like Lake Effect cold which is beyond what humans should live in! I used to love when the Broncos were on MNF and it was snowing like all get out because everyone would say, "There's no way I'd move there!!!" It was the best-kept secret in the world, but somehow it got out and now everyone is moving here!!! Argh...

[@simon-oy6um]

Sort of place where the day starts quietly then nothing happens then it goes quiet again 😊

[@lisasmith1850]

You ever think of starting your own touring company? This stuff is worth seeing. Thanks for sharing Nick. Keep up the great work that you are doing Bro.

[@terrymeinders9825]

Really enjoying your videos, Nick. I grew up in SE IA (on a farm, 4 miles from a town of 147 people), lived in Omaha for 6 months, and have lived back on God's side of the river ;) for 29 years. There are a lot of people who want to travel the world - and more power to them. I just want to explore more of the 500 mile or so radius around me, specifically the Driftless region. Good people around here, and a good place to live, overall. Keep up the good work!

[@wapiti3750]

You live out there in the corn belt where men are men and sheep are nervous! Those sheep have a reverse gear: they back right up to the fence line.

[@JOSEPH.COLEMAN069]

America so beautifull i hope i make it there one day

[@flitetym]

Nick … you are one cool (and brave!) dude!

[@kerrygauffin8018]

We moved from MN to MT. Our new neighbors met us and told some other neighbors’you will love them-they grew up in ND’ - they all threw us a ‘we will miss you’ party when we had to move away. You can’t beat small towns where neighbors are neighbors. They will drop whatever they are doing to help you and vice-versa.

[@rogergroot6641]

Nick.I enjoyed your tour of the midwest,and was just reading last night in one of my pld READERS DIGEST from 1959 of a Drunk who stumbled out of a Bar in Sioux City and flagged down a Greyhound Bus,and when he got on he noticed it was almost full,so as he staggered towards the back,he saw a empty seat next to an old lady,and as he was aitting down,she looked him up & down and said,"Mister,you are going straight to He--.So he got back up and yelled," Hey Driver,"I am on the wrong bus"!

[@NickJohnson]

I loved all the old jokes in readers digest!

[@Cycology_Major]

Also noticed how RD fits on a toilet tank lid w/o slipping off…

[@Silver86777]

great video, never seen the Midwest thank you for posting this!

[@suliajoyward3595]

Nick, hi it's me again. Please come to Lincoln NE on a Husker football gameday. That's an authentic Nebraska experience right there!!

[@stegura83]

Nebraska has been trash for the past decade but they still sell out for every home game!

[@FischerRestoration]

That desolant four way intersection in SD reminded me of that scene in castaway.. Nick you must have five hundred thousand miles on your vehicle by now.

[@NickJohnson]

Rentals haha

[@Cycology_Major]

Castaway’s final scenes ‘in the middle of nowhere’ were in the Texas Panhandle. Talk about Flyover Country 😬

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

The cows were saying Hello to you. They;re not as dumb as people think. Several cows recently ran away from being 'ushered" into slaughter houses. They pushed their way out of the line, ran away, and were found miles away. The 'smart ones' who ran away were sent to animal rescue locations.

[@mtngrl5859]

That's nice to hear. When I heard the crying sheep in the trailer made me sad.

[@michaelb.8953]

@@mtngrl5859 Oddly enough I got the same thing and I'm a huge meat eater. Meat is tasty.

[@Cycology_Major]

@@michaelb.8953 It sure is, and nutritious, satisfying… But damn, the way most are raised (CAFO’s…) These practices need to go.

[@ZZ_The_Boxing_Cat]

I’ve lived in the Midwest, the south and the east coast. NH has tons of snow, but Chicago seemed way colder.

[@ZZ_The_Boxing_Cat]

@@mtngrl5859 Yeah.

[@larrybraverman7997]

I don’t know if I’ve seen all your videos Nick but this one just blew me away.I think you are correct when praising Omaha Nebraska.Blair also impressed me also and real beauty.Since I am 83 I’ve probably done all of my road trips.Wish I had thought about the Midwest.Some scenes were so haunting but so beautiful.Super video.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Larry! 🙏

[@Mr.Howell78k]

​@@NickJohnsonWrap your tongue around that Runza steak sandwich! with cold catsup!

[@lindamarie6574]

I was raised in Brooklyn NY, family then moved to California and glad i left both for the Midwest. I live in South Bend Indiana and i love it here and the people are very nice!

[@mhsmww]

Glad you like it there. I live southeast of there a little ways.

[@9tube1]

I went to the golden dome 50 years ago and loved SB then. Went back in June for my 50th reunion and miss that town. A great quality of life there.

[@softekguy1]

Great job Nick. What a wonderful snapshot of my midwestern hometown. Thank you . I am a subscriber and "liked" as well.

[@StartGierach]

Nick I absolutely love the series you do. I am currently 60 yrs. old and nearing retirement at the end of 2024. I grew up here in Wisconsin. ( currently Rhinelander ) have lived here most of my life. Resided in Arkansas for 7 yrs. had to leave because of the extremely hot/humid summers. Just discovered "disc golf" in 2021, I wanna get away from the very long, cold winters here so I can be outside playing disc golf just about everyday at least 9-10 months of the year. we only really get May thru September as far as nice comfortable weather here. I love forests and the mountains! I am searching online for some place to go, but refuse to live near a earthquake epicenter. I may just contact you in the coming days/weeks about help finding somewhere to go. I am very blessed to only pay $500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment here in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Looking at rents in the other parts of the country is quite shocking. Thanks for what you do to provide us with such great info. and insight!

[@scottlarmore5038]

Greetings from Janesville WI! Just moved here last year and, so far, I’m finding it pretty nice.

[@facediaper09]

My friend from Nebraska loves disc golf. He claims he's one of the best. Either way he sure looks happy telling us about it so it must be good❤

[@Lifetalk849]

Hey Rhinelander! Wisconsin is pretty awesome (especially the northern part). If you're interested in affordable, cool mountains that do not lie on a fault line, maybe you should consider the Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Ontanogan and Gogeboc Counties, far western part of the UP). Canadian shield granite (shouldn't be any shaking going on there), gorgeous mountains with cool ski areas, hiking /cross country ski trails, super affordable, beautiful Lake Superior shoreline to the North. Awesome Yooper culture (especially the Finns). True North, with mountains included. Part of my heart is still there (sigh). Hope you find what you're looking for!

[@decacards5250]

@@scottlarmore5038 Went to Madison WI from NYC last summer. Madison natives are the nicest people...and this is coming from an AA from the Bronx.

[@davewojcik1854]

Oh my goodness. In Florida 1 bedrooms are 1500 dollars even in Jacksonville! I loved living in Columbia, South Carolina. It's close to mountains, oceans etc.

[@l.ls.8890]

I totally enjoy watching these snipits of midwestern Americana. I have been through all these states on this video but never had the time to visit all these very small towns.

[@DK-sr2wi]

More videos. I love them. Thank you. Portland, San Fran, Kensington etc. Wow, now that I finished the video. The midwest! So nice. I will now visit. Love it. I live in West Palm Beach, Florida so love the water, sun and beach.

[@jabbarmuhammad]

I would love to live in a place like this it like the people here might have some good morals values

[@CalvinMorris-cf8jk]

I did not know there was a place this nice in America.

[@milycome]

These people that you say have so-called good moral values, I bet vote for crooked politicians. Although, maybe the politicians achieve office Not because of the voters, but their DONORS. Yeah, maybe we don't have a Democracy. Only DONORS Count.

[@tobeabear]

❤😊❤😊

[@Lifetalk849]

@@CalvinMorris-cf8jk You've got to see it. It's real! And it's affordable!!!

[@brandaonb4249]

A lot of those small towns have their own problems.... Trust me! If you are an outsider and move into those rural KS Towns it will take time to be "accepted!" Been there done that. You will feel like an outsider for about 5 years no matter what ya do. And if you think they don't have their crooks and assholes and conflicts, you are wrong!

[@kevinkier6790]

Thanks Nick for doin' what you do. I look forward to each video.👍

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Kevin!

[@timmuller1567]

You are the most underrated youtuber ever. It's a sin you don't have millions of followers. I hate traveling but I get to see America thru your channel like noone else can show it.

[@michelecaron]

Nick, you are the best! Each new state tour changes my mind about where to escape NJ. I tell everyone I can about your You Tube channel ❤ God Bless You and your family.

[@BrianMarshak]

Every area shown is cleaner than any major city such as LA, SF, NY, Chicago

[@RitaLady]

Aside from the south side where people throw trash on the ground, Chicago is surprisingly clean.

[@debbiekellison6890]

Took my husband to my home state Indiana. He was impressed how clean and well kept it is. Went to Chicago last time was home. It has cleaned up a lot love the old architectural buildings

[@michelina75]

This whole video was sooooo peaceful to watch. And the supposed "bad" sides of some of those towns, they didn't look nearly as bad as some other towns in other states that you've covered. I wanna try one of those Runza sandwiches! They look yummy! 😋

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Michelle! And yes those Runzas are 😋

[@peggypasson8794]

You can make them to with either frozen rolls or bread .mix hamb cabbage an whatever else you like in a frying pan fry it up drain it let it cool roll it in bread an bake . Some like cheese some like meatball whatever you like .it's very similar .

[@michaelb.8953]

I agree as what he classified as the "bad side of town" didn't really look that bad at all, but just rather a little bit of a house downgrade otherwise I would bet the people there are probably still good decent hard working people.

[@tinglestingles]

Interesting perspective on the Midwest - views not seen here in Europe. We usually only see California, Florida or New York. Very sad to see so many empty towns, derelict properties and closed stores.

[@dragonfly9209]

Indeed...Europeans usually just see parts of 3 states out of 50. The touristy areas--and what we see in movies---and all 3 are not anything like the rest of the country. It's been said that the "US is like a sandwich--the best part is in the middle".

[@MegaBait1616]

California n NYC is Nothing like the rest of the US.... Florida is a beautiful state to live in..... Not the other 2 states..... be well.

[@avernvrey7422]

Rural America is dying. Just like rural Japan...

[@MegaBait1616]

@@avernvrey7422 , Not in rural NC....Booming.... Good government n hard working people.... $ 3,000.00 signing bonus for just warehouse work.... New trucks n car everywhere..

[@MegaBait1616]

@@wza223-fo3mc , Believe Me or Not the state of Florida ranks in the middle for humidity.... Look it up.. but yes it's Sunny and Hot in the Summer.. be well and Keep America Great..

[@kristins8906]

I’d like to make a note that Johnson county Kansas, which is right next-door is a very nice place to live. Very clean. Also, the downtown shown in Kansas City Kansas is not a representation of the Kansas City metropolitan area in which our downtown is actually in Kansas City, Missouri.

[@RobertBreedon-c3b]

My wife is from Plattsmouth Ne I love her home town. I love fly over country you can have the big cities and all their problems me I love the laid back small town life I grew up in Toronto Canada a city of over 2 million I worked in public transit I was never so happy to retire and move away from there. Highway 34 through Iowa is a really cool route to travel takes you through a ton of smaller off the beaten path towns. I see you did end up on HYW 34 as Red Oak is on that highway.

[@xXNP4CNuclearXx]

Nice to see a farm where the livestock isnt living on top of itself and wallowing in their own leavings. Too many nasty factory farms out there.

[@kenhofer8063]

Nothing nasty about them

[@Vaxxedhole]

Factory farms arose from population spikes.

[@dianaf6333]

​@kenhofer8063 why don't you go live in one then

[@xXNP4CNuclearXx]

@kenhofer8063 nothing nasty about animals dying right next to others and their feces? That turns into the food we eat? And them beating their animals to death and boiling them alive? Sounds pretty nasty to me.

[@Quebecoisegal]

Totally agree.

[@rogerburn5132]

Nick absolutely Brilliant program. Such Brilliant information about evry place on your video BIG. THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK 👍👍👍👍

[@caymuscairns6845]

I will say you visited the Great Plains (Corn belt) portion of the Midwest. I think many would agree there is a stark cultural and economic difference when visiting the Great Lakes (Rust belt) portion of the Midwest.

[@hm12460]

Thank you for your effort's here Nick. You hit a home run here.

[@threewheeler624]

Thank you for a good video. It is good to see the baseball games. Have a great weekend.

[@Kiamichi-Okie]

Dairy cows are very habitual animals , on a farm 2 you have to pastures far pasture and the near pasture, the far pasture is where the cows go after their morning milking ( the same person needs to milk all the time, because if you don't you will have poop everywhere) watching the cows, they will start at 7 and by the time they get to the 4 it is time to go get milked, and they will form a line to the dairy.After the evemnig milking and feeding they go to the near pasture, so they will be ready to milk in the morning. If you are in the North the pastures are covered in snow and ice, the cows stay in the barnyard. Now you can become a Dairy farmer all you need is at least a 1/2 a section of land if not a whole section for beans, corn,, oats which you mix in with feed, and you will need at least 50 cows plus 1 bull to break even for dairy.

[@QuizHeavenTriviawithJonas]

I have been to 42 states as of this post, however I’ve won’t been given enough chances to visit most the Midwest, I have been to Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska out of the 6 highlighted here. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Nebraska overall has been the most friendliest state I’ve visited of all across this country. When I mentioned visiting, I didn’t just visit the big cities like most people do but I’ve been to Lincoln, Ogalalla, Grand Island, North Platte, and Omaha. Big shoutout to anyone from Nebraska on here btw, you guys are beyond awesome!

[@bendeleted9155]

I'm glad you are doing this. I've been through the midwest and saw how the towns are basically functional ghost towns but there are still good people around even though most left. It's sad to see evidence of what had been, abandoned buildings or lots where farmhouses were scraped off of the earth after the conglomerate bought the family farm etc. Most people never travel these roads to even see it. Most of my family came from farming and so i got to see it operational as a kid. Younger folks had no opportunity to see it other than a shell of its former glory that fed and built America.

[@peggypasson8794]

It's very sad 😭 really it is . Like you I saw it functional when I was very young . An you are right the young moves away for better opportunities. Many have relocated it's very sad

[@briangreen430]

I'd rather live in a functional ghost town than a crime infested city! In CA those boarded up buildings would be filled full of drugged out homeless people and dangerous!

[@trolleysparks3941]

Remembering all of Nebraska had a 'real west' vibe. Would not accuse a Nebraskan or Kansas native of being midwest ~ may hurt someones feelings. Contending the Midwest begins near Zanesville Ohio and ends someplace west of Kansas City, Ka. From there west is where 'the real west' begins. (as I recall) Super video, Thanks.

[@TheHamburgler123]

The 100th meridian is commonly used as the point where the west begins, marking the boundary between the semi-arid western plains and the more humid eastern continental plains.

[@kaimln]

@@TheHamburgler123 Thanks, I learned a new fact today!

[@trolleysparks3941]

​@@TheHamburgler123 Driving east long ago, remember seeing it. The west ended, the midwest began. Or did I just feel it? That was just before reaching K.C.Ka.

[@kimberlyphillipssmith7956]

I love your channel Nick. America really has great places!

[@VikingSpirit1989-cf7je]

The Midwest sure looks very interesting! In fact, the Midwest and the South are the regions that interest me the most in the US. I am definitely not a big fan of big cities, so I could surely live in a small town in the Midwest like Nebraska, Kansas or Iowa 😃

[@t.g.remixed]

After you live in a small town all of your life, the all look exactly the same

[@Tom37323]

You introduced us to the Todd family farm the last time you were in Iowa. I wanted to thank you for a very pleasant new channel to watch.

[@NickJohnson]

They're super!!

[@barbaramosley8123]

Thank You So Much Nick Johnson! Very interesting Views💯‼️👀 PEACE 🙌

[@RonaldoMinowa]

That’s blessed, this is the real American Style !!! 🙏🇺🇸🇧🇷

[@Rom3_29]

These road trip clips are really nice. Thank you.

[@TheHamburgler123]

Great video as always, Nick. You should consider doing a tour of Cape Cod, MA when/if you decide to return to New England to film again. You could easily combo Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in that trip, too. It's a unique, old colonial part of the country with lots of charm, history and beautiful beaches. Feel free to reach out if you need any information on where to go, both the best it has to offer as well as the lacklustre and not-so-great. I was born and raised there and know the area like the back of my hand.

[@larkatmic]

Have family in East Dennis. If I could do weather I’d move there in a heartbeat!

[@TheHamburgler123]

@@larkatmic I hear you. May/June to about November/December is generally excellent weather. It's those winter and early spring months that really start to take a toll on you. The ocean insulates the peninsula from the extreme cold swings that the interior experiences but the wind and gloominess really start to wear on you by March or so. Growing up it was much more seasonal in regards to the population and businesses staying open all year long. I've since moved away but my friends tell me, following the migrations brought on by Covid, that there are a lot more people that live there year-round and more businesses stay open after the tourism season ends. It used to often be quite depressing in the winter when many of the businesses were closed and there weren't many people around, especially for young people. It was always a place that you could return to and not much had changed. Now it seems like the pace of change is increasing.

[@larkatmic]

@@TheHamburgler123 Im born and raised in Los Angeles. Burbank now. Believe me. The change here is happening as well and at a most accelerated pace. Its not the same place it was even 15 years ago. I guess the saying ‘You can never go back home’ rings truer the older I get. I’m 60 now and feel like I’m living on a different planet at times 😂 Newcomers have no idea what they missed. My folks retired from here to the cape back in the late 80s. A large part of the family (fathers side) lives there. They loved it but the long winters were getting old. After 15 years they decided to return and be closer to us kids and the sun. They live in Rancho Mirage now. I still visit often and long for wanting to retire there myself. My cousins all say I wouldn’t make it thru the first winter 😂 And I’m sure they are right. I’m just not cut out for the cold and gray and hunkering down for the winter. I don’t know how people get through it. When it’s cloudy and cold more than a few days here I’m not myself. I’m bummed the whole time waiting for the sun to appear so I can go outside, garden or run. 😂 Anyhow. I wish you well👍

[@marypennington6519]

Charm expensive live there

[@andymac900]

Beautiful friendly people, clean streets, fun activities, well maintained houses and lawns, no homelessness, no garbage all over or needles, no foul language, happy kids playing free and safe.....and not a black person in sight

[@edwardsbarbara25]

What?

[@andymac900]

@@edwardsbarbara25 my comments say it all, once the black youths arrive, the place goes to hell

[@crunchybobjones]

Reminds me of when i was a kid, Didn't have all the interstates back then, Had to take the old 2 lanes to Texas and back.. was a lot of fun.

[@FallacyAsPraxis]

What an awesome road trip! You certainly are living the life. I've spent years traveling around the country as a locum and never got out to see much because I was always working. I'm planning to move out of southeast Florida and was wondering where would be a good area to move to. This video really got me interested in the Midwest. I love the farms, wide open plains, storms, and all the nothingness. Totally my scene. No tweekers, twerkers, or poop filled streets with tents and homeless. Even the hoods look good.

[@peggypasson8794]

The thing I think about mid west living is we know we are all just trying to make a living an we know others have issues to .we are genuinely nice most of us 💗 . We take a minute to chat at the store restaurant or whatever . Some will say who was that I'll say I don't know lol but we had a great greeting

[@leonardpearlman4017]

I never thought that the phrase "poop-filled streets" would come into a conversation about where to live.... WELL! Welcome to The FUTURE! I have thought of this kind of move myself, but it's a big country and as you say, I never really have got around much. Long ago in this mood I visited Wheeling WV, in the company of a guy who was from there. It was a good possibility, kind of economically desolate but still functioning, still trying. I later realized there were many such places and never did move! There are many many more places that are too far gone! Too empty, everything is closed. A LOT of America is like this! Nick here might be our only hope! I'd like to pay him just to talk about it, really.

[@pureluck8767]

Don’t go there it’s a boring shit hole. Come to California where we actually have culture. We have invented everything here in California.

[@mcap8396]

Trust me, plenty of tweakers in the Midwest as well.

[@peggypasson8794]

@@mcap8396 I'm don't think any place is immune .it's a very sad situation

[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire Midwest road trip playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yreUhBrJwFhC9LeCYh1TvBL And if you need help finding a place to move, I do consulting. I can help you pick where to move and get you a real estate agent, too. Email me! [e-mail]

[@davemoore4273]

Im in Iowa im trying to find the place in stranton with the blue guy gun sign, san you help me locate the house on a map please, and thank you

[@natejennings5884]

My brother's lived in Wichita for a few years now. We were born there (1975 & 1977) but hadn't lived there since I was 2 years old. I likes it and has etched out a nice niche for himself as a woodworking contractor.

[@seananderson5450]

Good job on capturing the MidWest ,Nick👍

[@maryflaherty7096]

Just found this. Am a member of Mid/West!

[@hayeslincoln3111]

Nick Is your dad's name Charles.

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE123]

Good morning Nick, good to see, Thanks for the video 😊

[@Gamesso1slOo0l]

I love touring the US via Nicks videos. Touring much of the US in theory has always sounded good to me, in practice, well I know its not something I would likely do since my life style is a little too comfortable, so Nicks videos are the next best thing. Just wanted to say thanks Nick, and you have shown me a few places that I will likely check out at some point.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok! Glad to help! ❤️❤️

[@zuzanazuscinova5209]

That's exactly how I feel!

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

5:29 that little jail is actually considered part of Verdel village, and its population is like 46 people or so ? yeah, super tiny incorporated town, sad to see these places largely abandoned, its fun to try and imagine and picture what these places were like when they were thriving is't it ?

[@garyharnish2395]

Driving across the country I found some of the best sunsets were in the Midwest. Other that the southwest.

[@sookietrueblood-gp4sd]

Travel is good and yours Nick doesn't appear to ever get boring 😊you always have such a positive attitude wherever and whatever comes your way and that I admire

[@natebullock6555]

If you're around that area you should check out theMid-South sometimes Evansville Indiana Henderson Kentucky Clarksville Tennessee/ft Campbell KY💪

[@lindsayb7811]

I grew up in the the sh*t show that is Southern California. This footage makes me feel like I’m in a Reese Witherspoon rom-com with a tall pitcher of sweet tea.

[@TheSwissChalet]

This is nowhere near "the South"

[@Cycology_Major]

@@TheSwissChalet Yeah, it’s a little different from Sweet Home Alabama. More like Field of Dreams, Breaking Away, Hoosiers (a lot of sports films lol)

[@nensig8243]

I think Minnesota needs more coverage than just a little corner near SD, or should do a whole Great Lakes/ Upper Midwest series, it’s the North Star of the Midwest

[@NickJohnson]

I know

[@8lacksheep300]

Michigan is better

[@ArnonOphir36]

Wonderful photos, it's been a long time since we've seen such quality.

[@stevesly285]

Although some of the smaller Mid-West towns are run down and victims of urban decay I was quite suprised to see little if any graffitti, even in out of the way alleys and decommissioned multi storied buildings.

[@Undercoverbrotherfromanother]

Camp Ripley MN, FT Leonardwood MO, FT McCoy WS, FT Riley KS & Camp Atterbury IN --- I saw all of these wonderful states in the Army Reserves and you captured the essence of the small town life. Jason Alden could write a country song about this laid back, look after eachother, slow paced 'merican way of life!! Mappy is an OG Pimp!!

[@southerngal7899]

Wow, made me want to move to Nebraska.

[@manfredmann2766]

I thought the same thing and actually did it. Lived near Omaha and Lincoln, but much closer to Omaha. Lived there from 1994 to 2011, and more than likely, if you were not born there, you will always be looked at as an outsider. Things went well for me for the most part, but I eagerly took an opportunity in the western US, and happily looked at it from the rear view mirror from the car. Thought my conservative values would fit well in a place like that, but I was totally wrong. The area I live is much better and the people are nicer overall. Omaha is, for the most part safe, but that is where it ends.

[@southerngal7899]

@@manfredmann2766 Glad you found a nice place to live. I always wanted to do the nomad life and go to AZ but getting too old now. Tc 🙏

[@RADIUMGLASS]

I hope these areas always stay like this. I used to fly to these areas when I worked at the airline and it was nice to get a break from the rest of the country. I'm a realtor now but I do miss flying.

[@mwilson1964]

Thank you for your videos, I started watching them for comic relief but now, as I'm wondering where I'll retire when I leave the hellhole of California, I really appreciate the "everyman" views (and humor). You're saving me a lot of flying and driving too!

[@retroryan838]

If you haven’t already, you should do a road trip through my home state of Wisconsin. We have a lot more than people think. We don’t just have farmland, we have beautiful bluffs, hills, forests cities, and more. I’d really recommend visiting Wisconsin to anyone who sees this comment.

[@slamar8712]

Would you say Madison WI and Grand Rapids MI can rival Des Moines and Omaha? WI and MI have more natural beauty vs Iowa and Nebraska.

[@CaptainPaddys]

Just bought a place, love Wisconsin. A little scared about work but risking it all for time and happiness.

[@georgevan3102]

There is some gr8 fishing around Niobrara

[@napalm_lipbalm86]

PEOPLE go to drive-in out in rural Kansas too in the summertime. There is one right outside of Paola between Paola and Osawatomie, it is so fun!!

[@Playback007able]

23:09 looks like you are traveling on US route 20, East of Sioux City. We were traveling on this highway at the same time as you guys…July of 2022, only we were heading West. Agreed…traveling the backroads is how one can see the country. I-80 through Iowa, especially between Des Moines and Omaha, is akin to the New York Thruway, I-90, bumper to bumper, 80MPH and Iowa Highway Patrol speed traps around every bend…

[@shirleylake7738]

Nicely done video on the Midwest Nick I enjoyed your presentation.

[@jamessparks2691]

A sad truth of all these communities, WalMart has been the downfall to them all. They should have been stopped in thier tracks long ago. Now they're shutting down stores that will inconvenience the population again. Driving even farther to a WalMart store. Your video was very good though. A great memory concerning Keokuk, Iowa though. I can see my grandmother with her apron, in her small kitchen, in N Central Missouri. Cooking another scrumptious meal on her wood cook stove, listening to a radio show, Kitchen Klatter out of Keokuk, Iowa.

[@leonardpearlman4017]

@@19overlookR WHAT? People who can't read will NOT become programmers! Sorry. I think being FULLY literate is required for some technical work at a MINIMUM! The last few years I've been working with Engineering students in a "shop" setting, I often say that "they COULD read, if they wanted to"! Cranky old man says: "the people who couldn't use slide-rules can't use calculators, either! People who won't read won't watch the thirty KZbin videos you assigned, either!". Might as WELL blame the victims, that's what everyone else is doing!

[@spicycopper2436]

In 2020, Walmart reported $5.1 billion in net income for the third quarter of 2020, while McDonald's raked in $1.7 billion. In 2020, Walmart and McDonald's are among the top employers of beneficiaries of federal aid programs like Medicaid and food stamps, according to a study by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office

[@staralioflundnv]

@@spicycopper2436 It' s hard for the smaII business owner/operator to compete with the gigantic chain stores. The pattern I've been witness to is that the IocaI neighborhood smaII businesses cIose, then the chain stores come in, buiId, open up, and operate for a few years (show a financiaI profit/Ioss cycIe) ...then cIose --- Ieaving a shopping desert with NO IocaI shops or stores as a recourse to cover for that Ioss. COUNTY, CITY, and TOWN PIanning Comissioners shouId be heId accountbIe and IiabIe for this poor deveIopment, pIanning, and use of the community's prime Iand.

[@spicycopper2436]

@@staralioflundnv I agree with you. Congress should go after Walmart and others like them to pay their employees enough to live on instead of using taxpayer funded programs. Note: The salary of the CEO of Walmart is $1,272,000 per year. Doug McMillon is the current CEO of Walmart.

[@pureluck8767]

Blame the Republican greed they have caused all of this. They have destroyed America.

[@dcamnc1]

I've lived in the southeast my whole life. I'd love to move to the west/midwest one day. Love it out there.

[@robertshanks3674]

I forgot what it was like to see normal families having normal fun

[@btetschner]

A+ video! Cool Midwest video collection! You covered a lot of territory! lol

[@palmtreeguy4706]

Looks peaceful. Too bad those areas have such bad weather. I might consider it.

[@julesmarwell8023]

this reminds me of an Australian outback town. Thanks for loading Cheers

[@obryan240]

Looks so much more peaceful than here in Seattle.

[@dalesaylors9251]

It’s gotta be.

[@oldmategio]

Some of the most kind and sweet people I've ever met were from the heartland. True laid back fellas

[@Unibot47]

In Arizona, Nebraska is one state I've always considered going to. Don't know anyone there though and the winters are a bit of a deterrent but every time I've been through it's just felt nice. Originally from new england and lived in Utah so I can handle harsh winters, but yes have always been drawn to it.

[@williamstamper5395]

Thanks for touring my home town St. Joseph, Mo, it is sad to see what is happening, but thank you very much.

[@BillKing3456]

The South Dakota highway intersection in the middle of nowhere reminded me of Tom Hanks in Texas in Cast Away. A lot of your shots remind me of the director Richard Linklater. And your compilation brought back to mind your videos on Keokuk and St. Joseph, 2 cities that need some work. The governors of the Midwest want to thank you for saying ‘The Midwest, I’m tellin’ you.’ And the mayors of Omaha and Des Moines want to know which u like best cuz they both seem to be your faves.

[@NickJohnson]

Omaha