I Drove Through Lafayette, Indiana. This Is What I Saw.

In today’s video, I headed northwest from central Illinois across corn and bean fields into western Indiana to the city of Lafayette. The region had been snowed on a few days prior, but today was rare winter day when it was clear, with temps in the mid 40s.
It was Saturday December 21st, 2019 at 10 am.
The greater Lafayette area is a somewhat charming region. It's separated by two sides, Lafayette, on the east and West Lafayette in the west. The two communities are separated by the Wabash River. The entire region is anchored by Purdue university in West Lafayette. That's where we'll start, and then we'll drive through campus, over the Wabash River and into downtown Lafayette.
We’ll pick things up on West State Street in West Lafayette, which goes through the heart of the Purdue campus. We’ll take State Street east through campus and into the part of town where most of West Lafayette’s retail and entertainment is located. AKA the bar scene.
I spent a number of years living here, and grew to really like the place. It’s a charming place, Lafayette is, filled with friendly people where you make new friends quite easily. A lot of people are involved in the community, and crime and the cost of living are actually not all that bad. The only downside to living here, really, is the lack of things to do OUTSIDE of the greater Tippecanoe County area. For some real fun, you have to drive an hour southeast to Indianapolis, which isn’t really all that exciting, or two hours north to Chicago.
The area off in the distance at the bottom of the hill near the Wabash River is practically brand new. It’s full of fancy new apartments for Purdue students.
We’re now making our way towards downtown Lafayette. To the left is a region called Wabash Landing. It’s also full of new retail and restaurants.
And I accidentally took the roundabout twice.
We’re now crossing over the Wabash River into downtown Lafayette.
Off to the right you can see the Tippecanoe County Courthouse.
Downtown Lafayette has more bars and restaurants per capita than any other city in Indiana. Up and down Main Street are several dozen options for dining and drinking. I spent a number of years here, and I can attest to the sheer number of drinkin holes. There’s actually not a lot to do in the greater Lafayette area for fun except belly up to a bar, especially in the long winter months.
On the left is the famous Lafayette theater, where apparently Lloyd Ave, Latin night and PAULY SHORE are coming?? Big time.
Now we’re going to turn around and head back downtown again on south Columbia Street and head back over the Wabash River one more time to see an additional perspective.
And off in the distance is once again, the east side of Purdue’s campus in all its glory.
I also wanted to quickly show you the central part of Purdue’s campus. This is Ross Ade stadium where the Purdue football team plays. And we’ll drive down behind the stadium to Mackey Arena to check that out.
There’s Mackey Arena - where the Purdue’s basketball teams play. It’s located on John Wooden Drive, named after the all-time great basketball coach and Purdue alum.
That’s Lafayette and West Lafayette Indiana in a nutshell, folks. Pretty much one of the best places you can live in Indiana outside of the northern Indianapolis suburbs.
This channel talks about America, different states, education, travel, geography and what it's like to live in different places in America.
Business email: [e-mail]
Mappy: [e-mail]. He'll do his best to answer your questions and fan mail.

[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire Unboxing America Series: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF

[@michaelperigo6746]

Thanks for this video. Lafayette is my hometown. A proud Broncho and Boilermaker. Nice shot of my old grade school and church at St. Mary's Cathedral. Makes me homesick.

[@kay8698]

Home of Axl Rose

[@hsingkao2024]

Purdue, 1984-1987. Love it. Wish all my friends are well.

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

What a time! I was born in 87 lol. My mom had me at 14 though so I got here as quick as I possibly could lol. Wish I could have came of age when you did, though. Or the generation before would have been better. Right on man! Or ma'am..whichever you are.

[@edwardwolsieffer6125]

Mr. Nick: Enjoyed your West Lafayette-Purdue video. Having rode my bicycle for years as a kid growing up in the Murdock Elementary and Jefferson High School areas. I would personally enjoy reliving the memories of riding along those streets again as I used to in the late 60’s and 70’s. Thanks for allowing us to rekindle fond memories as you travel down the streets we all took for granted years ago!

[@camobubba98]

This is my home town. Boiler up!

[@elevate4eva]

POTFB

[@vfxrep]

Same

[@kislanymanci7603]

Hi:) Good for you! Did you know that W. Axl Rose - the singer of Guns n’ Roses grew up in Lafayette, North 24th Street? He left for Hollywood when he was 20 years old.

[@camobubba98]

@@kislanymanci7603 I surveyed a property next to one that he still currently owns just outside of town!

[@kislanymanci7603]

@@camobubba98 ohhhh I had no idea Axl still owned a property outside of Lafayette. Wow thanks for that!

[@larrys9879]

Born and raised in Lafayette. I still have family in Lafayette. I graduated from Lafayette Jeff HS in 1964, and enlisted in the Navy. I didn’t know then the day I left for boot camp that I’d never return to Lafayette to live there again. After boot camp I was sent to Naval Air Station Memphis, TN for training as a jet engine mechanic. I met a beautiful girl at the USO. Married her and still happily married to her 56 years later. I’ve been a Tennessee residence since 1977. Still a big Purdue Boilermaker fan along with the University of Tennessee Volunteer’s. Tennessee is my home now along with my son who is a Lt. EMS Paramedic with the local Fire Dept. and my married daughter. Lafayette, & West Lafayette are still good places to live and raise a family.

[@NickJohnson]

Yes!

[@okiniirinotenshi]

I moved here from Florida to be supportive of my best friend growing up together in Florida and her parents live here. Moved here almost 5 years ago. It WAS peaceful when I got here but within a short period of time, it got bad. My daughters and I did have a lot more to do than just dining. There is a small ice skating rink and a huge hill to traverse and sled on. Art is rich here and the Fowler House is something to behold. The Lahr apartments above Indiana’s oldest bar - the Knickerbocker - has a LOT of history to it. Digby was a founder of Lafayette and one of the most popular bar/ restaurants is named after him. There are many historical areas and the Haan Museum is a part of that. There is Wolf Park in Battleground, on the outskirts of Lafayette, and there are amazing trails and parks here. Only a few problems. Most of the apartments downtown are ran by either slumlords or property managements that will more sooner take your money and up the rent soon after. The ‘Scarathon’ in the downtown area (Marathon) has had multiple shootings and stabbings, and I work at 648 Bourbon and Cigar, which was once Professor Joe’s. Kathy’s Candies is now a donut shop, Fuel Coffee moved out of downtown, and there is a great market, The Bistro right next to Knickerbocker. There is also a fantastic healthy bakery called Sweet Revolution on the other side of Knickerbocker, and there is an amazing bakery on Kossuth. On Sagamore Parkway, there are SO many shops and a mall, one could get lost at the amount of things to do. Needless to say, downtown is really more than just drinking. Lafayette is rich with history and things to do. It just depends on where you go and where to stay away from.

[@annegillaspy2721]

I have to agreed with you. I lived in Lafayette/West Lafayette for over 15 years. I graduated from Purdue and had 2 children there. Unfortunately, I live in Jacksonville, Florida now. Watching this video reminds me of how much those towns have to offer. Especially, Purdue university brings in plays, orchestra, and much more. We used to live at the Lahr apartments when I was an undergrad student. The Lahr has history of itself. It used to be a hide out place for Al Capone in the day. He hid some of his illegal merchandise there. During winter, my children had so much fun sledding down the Slater Hill and the outdoor ice skating rink was great, too. Due to a melting pots that Purdue brings, the towns has so many international cuisines to dine out. The location isn’t bad considering only 1 hour to Indianapolis or 2 hours to a metropolitan Chicago. I truly misses living there so much.

[@robertfolkner9253]

@@annegillaspy2721I moved from Jacksonville to West Lafayette in 2000. I liked living in Jacksonville, but I decided that it was time to move on.

[@hhlomaxx]

Love your ride alongs. Shows both the best and worst this country has to offer and both are reality. Many of these places I've never been to and most probably never will. Thank you and keep the great work coming.

[@samharris3508]

@ 0:53 this dude runs a red light lol.

[@harshavk1096]

SickBabySeals haha 😂 he did

[@outbackigloo6489]

He also drove past a stop sign at 11:45.

[@harshavk1096]

Outback Igloo 11:25 banana 🍌 display

[@NickJohnson]

I run them regularly when filming to keep the video going for y'all 😉

[@marksitts2290]

And Rosco P. Coltrane hasn't pulled you over yet?

[@patrickbrent642]

Love your videos, Nick. Got hooked on them the other day. I was born in Hammond, IN and was raised in Munster. Was surprised but delighted to see so much about my home state. I haven't been back home in 20 years, but from what I've seen, I wouldn't recognize it. Still fun to watch these though. I could binge on them, actually did yesterday. Keep up the good work, Nick!

[@scocro]

People really disrespecting Indiana saying there’s only farmers and Amish people and saying it’s boring. People who say that never even been to Indiana. Indiana is full of beautiful forests, parks, and lakes. Filled with small and big cities filled with the love of basketball and many restaurants. You can visit Connor prairie, an interactive history scene, Santa Claus Indiana filled with all year Xmas decorations, you can visit Carmel, votes the best city to live in if you have a family in the whole US a few years bac and also the roundabout capital of the world. You can visit the many college towns in IU, Purdue, Ball State, Butler, and Notre dame. If you want to live in a quiet small town, go to Indiana, not to mention Indiana is a big sports state so you’ll enjoy the pro teams and the colleges that played here. Indianapolis is full of things to do like pacers and colts games, biggest children’s museum in the world, Indianapolis Zoo, many parks, many famous restaurants like St. Elmos, and very safe with police on every corner. Keep sleeping on Indiana 😴

[@lars1588]

Preach!

[@tnc7399]

you've just gutted indiana of the Indy 500, but it is understandable because that is already so big

[@fern7306]

I feel the opposite of safe with police on every corner… Damn, Way to sell a town 😂

[@maplestoryinchinese]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ramencurry6672]

The best time of the year is probably Christmas and maybe the hight of tourist season

[@justenjoy8459]

Loved it as always👍👍..keep it flowing Nick.

[@DinizEngland]

I like your drive along street and area view videos. Do more of these across America.

[@paulwitherspoonamericaneng248]

Thanks for taking me back down memory lane. I've only been back there once since graduating 16 years ago.

[@NickJohnson]

I liked it there!

[@joelove1987]

Thanks for the drive thru of Lafayette & the music was soothing as you were driving 😊

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Joe!

[@TimeT-ob9vz]

This video brings back many wonderful memories. Thank you.

[@katherynenelson9997]

There is really a decent amount of stuff to do here if you are outdoorsy. There are plenty of hiking trails, parks, and access points to creeks and large ponds. Prophetstown, Shades, and Turkey Run state parks are nearby. Lake Schafer/Lake Freeman and the Tippecanoe River are really close, as well. The list goes on.

[@RATTLEVIPER]

All of that water is disgusting

[@oxtuckian]

I'd venture to say, ..this asshat just likes to drink. There's plenty to do in town besides drink!

[@oxtuckian]

​@@RATTLEVIPERit's a RIVER

[@757-David]

Oh wow,I've watched alot of your videos and didn't know you used to live in Lafayette too. My parents still live in Frankfort. So many Chicago people have moved in to Lafayette sadly,it used to be so quiet with almost no crime and very peaceful. It's still not a horrible town,just was an amazingly safe and no worries town when I lived there in the mid 90's. Rhiele Bros.,Tippecanoe Mall,walking to Columbia park to play basketball,hanging out on campus and going to sports games,Neon Cactus-all great memories of fun times there..

[@MyAcresOfDiamonds]

a bit of trivia for everyone, the reason the name "chauncey" is repeated often throughout lafayette (example: chauncey hill) is because in the 1800s, chauncey was the name of the city that we now know as west lafayette

[@tomnisen3358]

Lafayette was Star City. Lots of restaurants!

[@thekindaunstablechaotic01]

So cool to see my hometown being shown off!❤

[@NickJohnson]

I loved it there!

[@timmaloney6739]

I love that town..my little brother and daughter went there..my wife and family go there a few times every year..a great tailgate town!!! Thank you so much for showing this!!

[@rebeccalunsford9372]

It looks a typical downtown feel in Indiana. I live in Franklin, IN it's very nice and peacefully. Beautiful

[@jcghim]

Thank you for your video. I am deeply impressed watching your video. I had been a Purdue student for few years in West Lafayette for a long time ago. I miss the days I lived there. This video recalled me those days.

[@meghannmurphy3307]

I live in West Lafayette and graduated from Purdue University. Watching your video is the same as what I see everyday when I'm driving in my own car lol!

[@NickJohnson]

I loved it there!

[@netbucks]

...love your videos Nick! I'm originally from West Lafayette and actually other than the university, the most impressive aspect of the area is the healthy manufacturing base. Alcoa Aluminum rolling mill, Subaru Automotive Manufactures cars there, GE builds their jet engines there, lots of high tech engineering spin-offs from the university and one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing complexes in the country. You could do a separate factory tour video!

[@NickJohnson]

Hey Bruce!! I miss Lafayette a lot!!

[@timmaloney6739]

I plan on retiring there in about a year or so..get a condo near Ross-Ade...I love that town so much..Lafayette Brewing a must visit place every time I go!!

[@connorsutton5041]

Popped up in my recommended and it’s my home town!

[@briantaylor7513]

I was a transplant moving to Lafayette from Washington D.C at the age of 10. Even though I've lived in CT for 23 years now, I consider Lafayette my home and have most of my family there. I was a Jeff grad in 94' and a Boiler grad in 98' for Mechanical Engineering. At first, moving there from DC as a kid, I wanted nothing to do with it, but now I miss it terribly and loved my childhood there. Yes, there are a lot of restaurants and bars, but there is so much more there then that -- Columbian Park, is an absolute must for kids between the ages of 3-16, great water park there, great baseball stadium, and a cool little music scene too if you play. It's still a great town and even though the crime rate is up, it's got a very peaceful vibe about it. Go Boiler's, and here's to home!!!

[@newcreatureinchrist5087]

My Hometown!!!! You really should go back in the Summer!

[@billybobbyjoe21]

Sane!

[@AverageNiceGuy]

I may need to move to Lafayette from Louisville KY... I'm wondering how scared I should be of the winters?

[@AverageNiceGuy]

@@gardensofthegods, it looks like I will not be moving to Lafayette after all. Looks like I will be moving to Noblesville Indiana

[@davidrasch3082]

Much has changed since I went to school and lived there in the '70's and '80's.

[@toddage83]

Nick I had the same reaction to the Pauly Shore sign lol . Boy has he fallen off since the early nineties cheesy funny movies stopped being a thing. He was a first rate Hollywood actor now he’s an opening act in some watering hole in West Lafayette . The heck Love your channel

[@NickJohnson]

Hey Todd! Glad you watch. Hopefully you learn stuff!!

[@endangsetiawan2325]

Great video! Thanks for covering my love campus, Nick.. good luck to you. (I'm Indonesian, went to Purdue in 1987)

[@jack60091]

I went there years ago to summer school for pension people. It was fun to stay in a dorm! Reminded us of our college youth.

[@mohdrizalmohdsaid1338]

Lived and studied at purdue 1992-1994. Bring back good memories of living in west laayette back then.

[@NickJohnson]

cool!

[@trevortat]

Lafayette is such an quiet, charming, peaceful small city. This is the type of city I like to retired in to.

[@Bo-zg3lz]

Getting invaded by Trash people from Chicago

[@beanem.3989]

I was a German high school exchange student in West Lafayette in 1992. It was an awesome year. 😍

[@terrygrossmann2295]

Life long resident of Lafayette Indiana. The section of West Lafayette at the bottom of Chauncey Hill had in fact recently been reconstructed. Actually as far as crime that has actually gotten worse. I remember in the 1970’s if a murder happened it was big news for weeks. Since the late 1980’s there have been an increased number of murders. Drugs have become a big problem as well. In truth we started getting a lot of low income garbage from Chicago. Now officially from the Mayor we don’t have a problem. I had worked for the county for a number of years. Unofficially, talking with a number of police agencies the crime statistics started to rise at the same time. Unfortunately we also started to have gang activity as well. We also started having drive by shootings. We have Country View Estates, which is known as little Chicago. Even the police don’t respond there alone. Now of course we do have a few of our own residents that have been problems. We are not the Wild West however things have gotten bad.

[@dylank8100]

Terry Grossmann lol I live in riverside CA meth capitol of the United States 🤫

[@dcolb16]

Believe it or not, West Lafayette is the exact opposite of Lafayette. Crime over here is way down and I think the rent and living over here is slightly higher keeping many people away from the college town. I've lived over here for 8 years and refuse to move to Lafayette lol

[@chicosworld]

Lafayette is basically the halfway point between Indianapolis and Chicago also close to where the time changes from Eastern to Central standard....indiana is one of the few states that has 2 different time zones💯

[@outbackigloo6489]

Also Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South and North Dakota, Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska. (I did not look at a map!)

[@chicosworld]

@@outbackigloo6489 Michigan is strictly eastern time zone though also Nebraska is strictly central...most of the Midwest is central minus most of indiana,oh and mich..got fam in all those states

[@outbackigloo6489]

earlando salazar - A small part of Michigan’s UP along the Wisconsin border is on Central Time. And the westernmost counties of Nebraska are on Mountain Time. I still haven’t looked at a map, but I’m very sure I’m right on both counts.

[@chicosworld]

@@outbackigloo6489 oh ok i just know my fam in Omaha is central but that's eastern nebraska so i stand corrected...and i didn't know the upper peninsula was central..tbh most ppl don't know mich has a up 💯

[@outbackigloo6489]

earlando salazar - Just three or four counties in the UP, along the Wisconsin border. My original list does have one mistake though. Oklahoma is entirely on Central Time, (although a town in the panhandle unofficially uses Mountain Time.) Kansas has a few counties on Mountain Time.

[@smartrice3323]

Thank you, lots memories there

[@anthonyjackson1446]

Nice video and scenery, also became a subscriber as well...👍👍🤗

[@tomteseletec2072]

Thanks, Nick, though very full video. 🤔

[@susanschultz1762]

I'm guessing you went to Purdue? I went to IU myself, so we're rivals. My Dad lived in Lafayette for decades, until he passed in 2016. I haven't been back since. I really miss Lafayette, it's a pretty little town. You missed all the beautiful old homes.

[@NickJohnson]

I didn't show the homes you're right! And I didn't go to Purdue.

[@laffybaby2153]

Lafayette is ghetto now

[@ladesigner8764]

Smart to go to IU…better school, better town.

[@lars1588]

I live here in Lafayette. I would never leave. It's such a great city with a rich culture and hidden gems throughout. Thanks for stopping by! [EDIT 12/6/22]: Greater Lafayette is pretty alright, but it sure has some issues. The gentrification happening in the nicer areas is very concerning. The growing population has also brought issues and good things, as would be expected in any city. I made it sound way better than it really is in my original comment lol. "I would never leave." Yes I would, but more for greater opportunities than anything else.

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

What is the job market like? What about the cost of living, etc? Thanks!

[@lars1588]

@@joshuatraffanstedt2695 There are a lot of opportunities for the size of the two cities. The cost of living is exceptional in Lafayette, but somewhat steeper in West Lafayette. There are many local manufacturing businesses like Subaru, Wabash National, and CAT, along with major retail like Walmart, Target, Macy's, JCPenny, etc. For more advanced jobs, there are many academic positions at Purdue. Rolls Royce has an advanced manufacturing facility in Purdue, and SAAB plans to build one as well. There are numerous other available jobs at the expected types of businesses (banks, small retail, restaurants, etc.) Many small businesses can hold up well here due to the reasonable population and healthy economy.

[@melissaknauer5196]

Lars, John Cougar Mellencamp agrees, Indiana is where it's at. 😊. I'm a Hoosier too

[@Sweetpatches24]

Lafayette has become dangerous, full of crime

[@sammontes1148]

Idk what Lafayette you live in😂 you must live in west Lafayette cuz Lafayette def isn’t a place i would recommend for anyone. Crime in Lafayette is surprisingly bad. West Lafayette is fantastic tho def do recommend west Lafayette.

[@brainwells6634]

I am from Northeasten IL, I have thought about moving to Lafayette,IN and we have camped in a town called Monticello Indiana so a short drive to Lafayette IN and ate at the Triple X drive in

[@NickJohnson]

I know all those areas well Brian.

[@sleeplessaquarius]

That Triple XXX place is a very cool place! Ive been there too! :)

[@chicosworld]

Monticello ind home of Indiana Beach..." There's more than corn in indiana" loved that jingle 😂😂💯

[@SidLaw500]

So many charming midwest towns.

[@meljones7732]

It looks so different from last time i was there. I'm homesick

[@dylanflowers8116]

I like these videos hope you plan to do more in the future

[@NickJohnson]

I'm currently still on the road trip. Glad you like them Dylan!

[@highbrass3749]

Nice looking place.

[@itspeteryt2503]

Home of the best university on the planet. Boiler Up!

[@thelton100]

Yeah. Right. Go Big Red!

[@jillmorton3096]

Good video, it looks like a clean safe place 😁

[@blazejm83]

Jill Morton wrong

[@blazejm83]

Lmfao

[@cypress1334]

Looks like a nice, quiet place to live

[@meljones7732]

It used to be. But outs crime ridden now sadly

[@bobprice9541]

I see a lot has changed since I went to Purdue in 1981 to 1985. It's a great school.

[@annegillaspy2721]

Best school. Go Boilermakers!!

[@vaithym7072]

Hey Nick and nappy .have a happy weekend 😃😄

[@cocotaveras8975]

Vaithy M Have a Happy Weekend Vaithy 😁😁.

[@NickJohnson]

Coco and Vaithy you guys are always so cheerful!

[@toddage83]

If you told me this was a western burb of Chicago I wouldn’t be surprised at all. Looks like the area I lived in Geneva IL

[@DrummaBoy202]

I’ll have to disagree. Roads are too neat, not enough cars parallel parked.

[@shbbaby5]

Welp I’m here now watched this to make sure I was in a good place thanks for the info

[@fmcevoy1]

My reaction to the drive videos is sort of "so what?" Your usual videos are funny, you try to sing ("sing" used broadly), and Karen Mappy's libido is always unpredictable. I sometimes get on Google maps to sort of drive around.

[@edithkeller9694]

Grew up outside of Lafayette....Man great times as a kid in the 70s and teen in the 80s

[@jeanwadley2542]

Yeah, I thought he was gonna run every red light. If you are born and raised in Lafayette, you know where to go in winter for fun. Sledding at Murdoch and Slater Hill, or hiking the Wabash Heritage Trail. Drinking and eating are not exactly what our town is about.

[@timothystockman7533]

I lived in Lafayette from the 1970's through the 1990s, before I moved to the Philadelphia area. I went back to Lafayette for visits in October of 2022 and May of 2023. A lot different!

[@jennifermurphy899]

Thank you Nick for the vidio.I live about an hour from there and love to go there. My nephew graduated from Perdue in Lafayette. There's a nice park we go to called Columbian Park.

[@gncc600]

Can your nephew spell Purdue?

[@tahwnikcufos]

Everyone commenting on the red light, but no mention of him going straight in the turn lane several times? lol Should have went to the top of a parking garage and did a panoramic view... this route under represents the size and depth of this town... availability and quality of education, jobs, housing, and shopping is why many people travel there - "belly up to a bar" is a bit of a crude and unfair representation, for a town that offers so much.

[@eden20111]

I live in Lafayette Louisiana, our town is like a mini Austin. So when I hear Lafayette I always think it’s in Louisiana so I was a bit shocked there’s another Lafayette out there lol.

[@_phobic_]

same with me about your city😂

[@Ir0nMa1d3n]

Good old triple xxx. Good place to go after hours.

[@NickJohnson]

I miss it

[@LeveyHere]

Great video!

[@NickJohnson]

It wasn't as exciting as the bad areas I typically visit but...

[@JeverHuelse]

Looks exactly like a northern germany city like Kiel or Luebeck on a cold clear winter day.

[@clintongick736]

Lots of germans ended up here! Including my ancestors!

[@_phobic_]

@@clintongick736same

[@proverbsjohnson7594]

My kiddos & I will be moving there soon😍

[@calivalley9056]

Love my home town, missed Happy Hollow. I’m stuck in California. I need to get out of here!!! Send help!!

[@TriangleSquare52]

GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE

[@stevepoint64]

Stay in CA, you are better off

[@ksiN8vWthAKs]

Yeah it nice out here I’m actually just here doing some work at the tippecanoe fairgrounds

[@rebeccaimmel4160]

Downtown is really pretty in the spring/summer.

[@ashleysisson2054]

I've lived in Lafayette the majority of my life and have a love/hate relationship with it. I love Purdue (my alma mater) which is one of my main reasons for sticking around. I love the history and downtown area but even though it's not at big city levels, the crime, drugs, and homelessness really bothers me. I know every place has their issues, but it just feels like as we've grown, we've forgotten about the low-income people of the area. My husband and I are planning to move west in a few years, mostly due to the politics and heat/humidity in the summer. I can tolerate a rough winter but I hate humidity with a passion. Colorado and the mountains are calling my name!

[@Roody_Patootie]

Nice video!

[@ronaldrussell5481]

Been a long time since in the Lafayette's. Attended Purdue from '65-'69, needless to say it's changed! By the way, how long ago was that? Well, I saw a Wendy's, they didn't exist yet! Also, McDonald's, don't think they did either, at least weren't very big yet. Lived in H-1, Owen Hall, not far from Ross Ade and because of that many football players lived there too; LeRoy Keyes, Perry Williams, Clanton King, Bill Yanchar. Bob Griese was quarterback my freshman year, Rick Mount came in as freshman my sophomore year, so I got to experience Purdue sports at it's pinnacle!

[@ron5935]

I retired 20 years ago and thought about returning to live there. It has been destroyed since 1965. Traffic congestion, stop lights all over, tall buildings, I was hoping to see the Chesterfield , only bar in Lafayette where we were not carded. It was an old farmer bar, not fancy, but I could drive across the river and have a draft beer after studying. My neighbor says I would not recognize Purdue. He is almost correct.

[@BoilerBloodline]

She’s a beaut! Although you should’ve at the very least stopped to get some popcorn at The Chocolate Shop. They have the best kinds of treats...you know...the kind that put a smile on your face...and make you go ugly early.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

Izzy Stradlin walked these streets!

[@anna4508]

lol, I decided to watch this video because of Izzy

[@Sputoa2024]

It's All's hometown though..

[@joshuatraffanstedt2695]

Axl rose and shannon hoon too

[@appetitefordestruction6899]

So as Axl

[@hi_is_this_clorox_bleach]

Exactly my reason for looking this up as well

[@thomasvetor7420]

Itz nice 2 get alot of green lights ...

[@AustinKelly]

You give the best city reviews. When are you doing Canada and Europe???

[@fibzfrmwelch]

Gotta love Lafayette

[@AverageNiceGuy]

Thank you. There's a chance I may need to move to this area for employment. Your video is helpful.

[@carpenoctem775]

Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin raised Hell on these streets.

[@NickJohnson]

I know!! I used to live there

[@stevepoint64]

I live there and NO they didn't

[@BLACKHAWKS2023]

When you get a chance, if you haven’t already, visit Naperville. You highlighted it as one of the best cities to live in

[@fredricksmith-something.2125]

I lived and worked on West Lafayette for almost 8 years. It is a nice small town. But, because of the University and the foreign student population, it has a very diverse collection of businesses and people. The University itself has grown much. My wife and I just visited an old friend of mine. As far as LAFAYETTE itself. Ehhhh. I mean. I seen some good things but a lot of bad things as well. I can tell drugs hit it hard. They didn't have the amount of homeless people walking around and shelters I passed when I was there years ago. But, very few town that size all over America escaped that damage in the last decade.

[@albertsancho5909]

Nice video but you didn't tour the academic buildings. We have one of the best engineering programs and Neil Armstrong was there. I attended Purdue for a semester and looking forward to go back. Boiler up and RIP Tyler Trent.

[@dc76384]

Nick while living in Lafayette did you ever get up to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Its surely a hidden gem of Indiana.

[@NickJohnson]

I never did David

[@dc76384]

@@NickJohnson Well if your ever back up here in N.W Indiana it's worth a stop.

[@tnc7399]

I have been there once, saw Chicago because it was a clear day

[@Shumetra]

Proud Boilermaker here!

[@Ir0nMa1d3n]

Don't forget Kathy's candy shop! My daughter and I used to go weekly for tea and cookies

[@NickJohnson]

Mmm.

[@okiniirinotenshi]

Unfortunately it’s closed now, replaced by a donut shop that is pretty damned good.

[@neilhuddleston8294]

Moving here in July. Seems like a good area

[@wildchaser9892]

You should do Toledo OH next on your way

[@NickJohnson]

I'm missing Ohio this time.

[@OpalHallen]

Happy Father's Day🎉

[@stephenmadonna6142]

I think you are traveling Northeast, not Northwest. But thanks for posting, my son was accepted to Purdue and am hoping he attends

[@NickJohnson]

It's a great place!

[@jacie9799]

You passed my apt!! @7:33, i lived on the right side, little two story brick building

[@jacie9799]

You ever try the East End grill?

[@mdmarko]

Even on a sunny day, that place sure looks bleak in the winter.

[@outbackigloo6489]

I disagree; that area looked pretty nice to me, although I’m sure they get more than their share of gloomy days around late fall and winter.

[@lars1588]

@@outbackigloo6489 I live here, and the winter is really gloomy, unless it snows. The autumn is absolutely gorgeous, though, along with spring and summer. Overall, it's just a very pleasant place to live.

[@appetitefordestruction6899]

Watching this for Axl and Izzy

[@johnburns8680]

Holy Cow Nick!!! You were in town??

[@NickJohnson]

John Burns! I wanted to look you up but plans changed and I literally had like an hour in town. We were GONNA stay overnight. Next time for sure 😃 We talk about how much we miss you guys all the time

[@angelromo9658]

Ur getting close to my family

[@thomaslanguell7257]

Go to my hometown Fort Wayne and pass through Idaville where I lived for 5 years.

[@thomaslanguell7257]

@Raschaud Farmer Idaville is on Highway 24 in White County.

[@lavernmerriweather637]

Fort Wayne downtown is beautiful

[@roofieandraggy16]

Nick... Have you ever considered having mappy on the springer show for maps......🤔? To sort out his family drama....😬

[@NickJohnson]

Did you see the religious states video?

[@NickJohnson]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4WolaCEqpaZpbM

[@roofieandraggy16]

@@NickJohnson mappy is growing up with 3 father figures.....🤔

[@DeltaLou]

''What the, what the'' hahah. You should trademark that phrase!

[@brendanbressler9807]

Looks like a great place. I love Bloomington, IN, pretty area. My favorite college town is Ann Arbor.

[@sleeplessaquarius]

Bloomington, Indiana is the most beautiful town Ive been to :)

[@brendanbressler9807]

@@sleeplessaquarius it is a beautiful town and campus.

[@kuro_kishi]

Ah the great old Purdue. Forever a boilermaker

[@elevate4eva]

POTFB

[@cosybully]

Give southern Indiana a look/see. I think you'll love Bloomington, French Lick, and Madison. I have been to every state but Alaska, and southern Indiana has a down home feeling to it.

[@sleeplessaquarius]

Oh youve been to every state but Alaska, thats pretty impressive! Ive been to 26, & Im super proud of that. You must also love traveling as much as I do! :) & Yes, Bloomington i very nice!

[@crazeyjoe]

@@sleeplessaquarius I have been to all 50 states... of insanity, lol. Okay, I have been to California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. I have resided in 6 states. The largest cities and/or metro areas I have lived in are NYC, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Cincinnati. I am not quite Johnny Cash, however, it seems like Nick Johnson is well on his way!

[@lavernmerriweather637]

Breaking Away was filmed in Bloomington