Is Palm Springs, California Still Paradise?

[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire California Road Trip playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yoGM0mmbTCTmMa9zMFvvDeG

[@whitestudenttransmission7308]

Why do you make antiwhite remarks in your videos ? 🤔🧐

[@nextup6074]

@@whitestudenttransmission7308 Better question: why does this sad rightwing child even make "videos"? FreeDUMB of speech I guess...

[@sharon94503]

You know, your use of the term "bums" is disrespectful. You don't know their stories and what brought them to homelessness. Perhaps you should learn and show some humility, or maybe you're just entitled.

[@sharon94503]

​@@dollygirltwinsyelling isn't necessary.

[@whitestudenttransmission7308]

@Dolly Girl Twins - statement of “White people” this and that are what’s being referred to. He can clearly make his point without taking swipes at “White people” all the time AND notice he doesn’t point remarks like that at other groups ? There’s a pattern there 🤔🧐

[@theamericanrubbertramps]

I live here in Desert Edge ( between Desert Hot Springs and Sky Valley) as a waitress I can tell you that a lot of my fellow employees have become homeless and live out of thier cars since the covid shut down. When I first moved to Palm desert in 99 I paid 750.00 for a 2 bedroom apartment. Now that same apartment goes for 2500.00 a month. Most of the homeless that I see are young. It's truly sad. Not everyone is homeless due to a drug addiction. Some are due to the fact that the cost of living is too high for even a waitress like me. Living in a van down by the river is the new American dream. I love watching your channel and your pretty accurate in your evaluation. ✌️👍

[@NickJohnson]

Aww I'm sorry it's so rough for you guys out there 😢

[@marauderhot]

Most people in California made a better living with covid by getting free money. Why didn't they?

[@jan22150]

What Is the percentage of drug abusers compared to the hard working people living in their cars who are homeless in Palm Springs ?

[@kikaworld5713]

Sky Valley resident here, it's best to buy a mobile home here in Sky Valley. I pray your co-workers situation gets better!!!

[@nextup6074]

@@NickJohnson How do you spell "douchebag?" A: NICK JOHNSON

[@misterpeppercorn3078]

I grew up in California in the 1950's and 60's and it was once such a wonderful state to live and grow up in. It's all gone to pot now. People are leaving in droves. Fortunately I live in a good safe area. I'm very sad to see the utter deterioration.

[@johnjaco5544]

I agree 100%

[@paulrom446]

Yeah no Truly is sad! I have great 😃 memories of spending parts of my Summer Vacay out there!

[@thesongbird2383]

Me too... Grew up in San Bernardino in 1950s & 60s. Drove down to Palm Springs many times. It was lovely and exciting. Once I was by Louise's Pantry next to the theater, and there was George Hamilton riding his bicycle and then Red Skelton and his wife coming out of the theater. Now we just stay away from the larger cities and it's not bad. As for San Bernardino, it's a total disaster now. In late 60s, LA was overpopulated with Welfare recipients, so they started sending them to San Bernardino... it went downhill with high crime after that.

[@msudoc]

If you voted Democrat, it’s on you.

[@JayandLisa]

Damnnnn you’re old 😂

[@TheSnerggly]

Nick, thank you for your videos of California. It's heartbreaking what's happening everywhere in California right now.

[@TheFrenchPug]

I live in Orange County and am afraid to venture out anymore. LA used to be a fun place to go, but now, hell no!!!

[@davidoetting1551]

All the gays moved in. There ya go. Natural evolution.

[@andyhughes1776]

Everywhere in America too!

[@bansheezs]

@@andyhughes1776 TN outlawed public camping, and poof no more homeless.

[@faroutgolf3650]

It's been the Marxist, Communist plan to destroy America from the inside out! China needs to be held accountable for sending Fentanyl around the world! Block all Chinese goods coming into America. Take Americas factories back! Take away 90% of welfare and make jobs available and training centers around the country...

[@johnsims709]

Wow as someone who has been going out to ‘the desert” for the last 40 years this video has to be the most complete, honest, funny, accurate and sad summary/description I’ve seen…Nick you nailed everything so spot on…

[@BHarris25]

“These homeless people are doing their best to ruin this place”. Change “homeless people” to “politicians” and you hit the nail on the head.

[@bobbyhall3949]

Do you mean the non domiciled? That's the first time I've ever heard that.

[@youtubelicksmytaint7482]

BOTH

[@SillyTube9]

Change it to “slimy Wall St housing speculators” and it would be accurate. They are the reason for BOTH high rents and insane home prices. Combine that with unemployment insurance which won’t even cover basic rent if you lose a job. So people can’t compensate if life throws them a curve ball.

[@Twm532]

yeah it must be the politicians not the drug adicts roaming the streets commiting crime

[@BHarris25]

@@Twm532 Well you see, a big part of the problem is they refuse to actually enforce the law so they allow these lawbreakers to run free.

[@johnrobbins8093]

I lived in Palm Springs in the fall of 1974. Loved it, back then, when Palm Springs Life (magazine) was in it's hey-days. Worked as a draftsman for a big interior design firm - that job was awesome. Moved to Palm Desert in 1975 to attend Coll of the Desert. Then bounced around San Diego, San Jose and Fresno before exiting CA for good, in 1981. Have only been back to visit. These videos have been reaffirming for my not wanting to return to CA to live there.

[@243wayne1]

@@exexpatcitizen6582 He went to Washington. Hahahaha!

[@johnrobbins8093]

From CA, I went to Ohio, then Maryland. To Iowa in 2011, landing most recently in Illinois. When I lived in PS and PD, I was riding a Kawasaki 125 enduro motorcycle. Spent a lot of time riding around the Indio Hills badlands. That area is now closed off from ORV use, so, yes, it was pretty idyllic in those days.

[@petefogel2133]

Guess what? Most places change over 50 years.

[@sumosupremeking360]

When you said you can’t leave the house without spending $100 in California had me dying because it’s true 😂

[@jb2._]

That’s 100% true what he said

[@midcenturymodern9330]

Yes, absolutely. A simple trip to the gas station and the grocery store these days can set you back some $150 in the so called "golden state."

[@aerofart]

Actually, in some parts, you don't even have to leave the house to spend $100 in California. Property taxes and utilities will cost you that even when just staying home for the day watching TV.

[@joejones9520]

@clifftonicstudios7469 what do you mean "hidden laptop in the UK?"

[@gregquinn6827]

TV tax plus PC tax in UK?

[@fredgervinm.p.3315]

I lived in SoCal from 79-83 and loved it. From San Diego to LA, the beaches to 29 palms... Great memories and I would not ruin them by going back for a visit. Palm Springs was quite unique then.

[@deepg7084]

I've had family members in Rancho Mirage for over 20 years. It was mentioned in this video a few times as a more upscale area, which it is. But I can tell you even they aren't immune to the degradation. My family members have had their cars damaged by gas thieves, they've had homeless people break into their gated community and bang on their doors in the middle of the night. If you have a pool in the summer time, you WILL find strangers taking a dip in your backyard to cool down. They got their carry permits and have a firearm by their side most of the time. They've moved twice in the last 3 years trying to find a safer neighborhood for their kids after finding feces and needles around their property. Their kids will be moving out for college in a few years and then they plan to pick up and move out of there.

[@Papa_CJ]

Why would homeless people be banging on there for in the middle of the night? How strange!

[@deepg7084]

@@Papa_CJ I have seen the security footage from their camera system. They seem to be people who are either mentally unstable and/or drugged out. Their front door in the last home they moved from was all glass. It's pretty thick glass but still it can be broken with a rock or blunt object. So hearing banging on it in the middle of the night can be pretty scary because you don't know their intentions. They sold that house and found a smaller home on a golf course and so far it's been better.

[@renewashington791]

Oh mah Gawd, bums in ya pooL 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 is Definitely NOT ha ha funny, but I gotta laugh to keep from cryin.

[@davidnunez5819]

Nailed this one. I've been in and out of the Coachella Valley for 10 years. It would be worth noting how many people only live here part time, the "Snowbirds." Your videos, and the comedic factual commentary are great. Thank you for all the different views of California.

[@petefogel2133]

What are you talking about? The reason snowbirds don't spend the summer in the Coachella Valley is because it's too hot. "Snowbirds" have enough money to live somewhere else when it's a 110ﾟ for 4 months out of the year. Why are you trying to make snowbirds into people that hate the Coachella Valley because they only live here part time? It's actually the complete opposite.

[@mannymm7887]

@@petefogel2133 born and raised in Palm Springs. snowbirds are one of the biggest reasons why the local community can still afford to live here or in cathedral city which is where most working class live. Hospitality is probably the largest business sector of all of the Desert.

[@josephaugello1527]

​@Pete Fogel the majority of people don't stay they come and go

[@michellevasquez2131]

I was born in Indio, raised in Thermal, and I've lived in Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Indio, Coachella, and I know Palm Springs pretty well. There are some really beautiful homes tucked away out there. I guess to some it's the place to be, but it's just another city on the map in California. And hot isn't the word to describe summer temperatures here, it's more like scorching. Thanks for the video.

[@Tonymanero1960]

My girlfriend and I ( we are from Maryland) visited Palm Springs about 5 years ago,...and had a wonderful time.Because it was the summer we were able to get amazingly affordable rates at the smaller motels and resorts.We soaked up all the old Hollywood and Rat Pack vibe.She often talks about going back ...but,...I tell her some moments can't be repeated and are best left alone.And since California has become a filthy crime ridden state that encourages lawlessness,..it was a no brainer.

[@JamesG1126]

Summers in Palm Springs are absolutely miserable.

[@Tonymanero1960]

@@JamesG1126 Maybe,...to locals,..but not coming from the East coast.110 degrees with LOW humidity is comfortable.

[@ALuDoy]

BULLSEYE! 🎯

[@hurryandleave9680]

I didn't think I'd get used to the heat, but I did.

[@charleshabecker]

As a resident of Palm Springs, I greatly appreciate your video of our fine city, and what we aren't doing about it. Why we are building $700,000 homes, and little to no homes that are affordable, is beyond me. Where are the employees supposed to live who provide the services in restaurants and hotels. Hope that things change soon.

[@191895]

There are half a million of them at the border....

[@ag4allgood]

@@191895 Good because many Americans don't want to work many of the jobs here ! Too entitled to work for a wage.

[@christophergrissom484]

@@ag4allgood where to smart you mean lol

[@ag4allgood]

@@christophergrissom484 Too smart ? Proving my point.

[@ronrendon]

In tents! Duuuuuh.

[@karenkellock]

This was so excellent Nick. I was in this area for 31 years and I saw it go from rich conservative to low down druggie. It was very scary. I relocated to the AZ strip and I'm so much happier around "normals".

[@davereynolds7472]

Dude you did a great job on this. It's uber thorough - much respect.

[@robertwilliam9558]

Nick, this desert series has been awesome. Keep up the good work.

[@petefogel2133]

Yeah Nick.. it's really a great series about California. Listening to you bash the state is like watching Fox News talking about politics.

[@christopherboada7921]

Nick Johnson bashes everywhere he goes. Snarky remarks and unflattering footage are his stock in trade.

[@XxGyromancerXx]

I have a great-uncle who used to ride with Tex Ritter (John Ritter's father) and other Hollywood cowboys at the old Will Rogers Stables in Palm Springs. The place is long gone. It might have been located where the "bad part of town" is located. I have a ton of pictures of my uncle riding with the stars. He was also a trick rider and stunt double prior to WWII. It's a shame to see what has become of Palm Springs. The problems plaguing CA and many other places in the country have been ignored for way too long. Because of that, I don't think the problems can be fixed. Ignoring the elephant in the room doesn't make it go away. Unfortunately politicians and other greedy mongrels don't want to acknowledge reality.

[@showtime951]

I'll bet you have some great shots of your uncle & Frank Bogert, a friend, among others. I agree with your dire analysis, and how the people, politics, greed, and lies have so sadly affected California, the once proud, still, without humans, most beautiful place on Earth.

[@patriciachamberlain1135]

Rich people shop more at thrift stores than you think. They also contribute to those stores, so a stroll through a thrift store in a rich neighborhood would be wayyyy different than anywhere else.

[@juancarloslugo954]

I’m 23 I lived in the Coachella Valley my whole life and work two jobs in Palm Springs. You pretty much got all of it on point. If you’re still interested about Palm Springs Im totally down to give you my input

[@Ann-tl9mc]

Great meals at the senior center (reasonable price) and cool library and park near by. Roy built a nice shelter for the homeless.

[@keithbalke6352]

Good ol “Roy”?

[@ginas.6656]

It's heartbreaking to see California going downhill. I loved living there back im the 60's, 70's. Can you do a video on Indian Wells and the nicer areas?

[@petefogel2133]

Heart breaking? Oh my... what a revelation. Places and cities actually change over 50 years. What a shock!

[@collentreefelling9142]

How can a city sustain homosexuality, drugs, crime and Liberalism? Those are symptoms of a decaying and collapsing society!

[@deepg7084]

@@petefogel2133 "change" isn't always good. In this case it's a downfall.

[@user-or6ht4vi6u]

@@petefogel2133 This dude HATES Ca. Even in video on the midwest he'll talk about CA. Funny how these haters all talk about CA so much. I don't care for FL, but I can go years without needing to make an attack on that mess.

[@tomdaniels3392]

JUST PALM SPRINGS!! I live in Palm Desert, we just built a new hockey stadium and are doing well thank you very much! Palm Springs is a ghetto for sure but that does not reflect on the rest of the Coachella Valley, other towns like LaQuinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert have picked up the ball Palm Springs has dropped and now these places are the best places to visit in Our valley

[@slyguyaction]

I live in Indio and there's only a few places we frequent in Palm Springs. There are some very beautiful architecture and nice places in parts of Palm Springs but blight, crime and homelessness is creeping in. Winter is best cause we roast eight months of the year. Great video. The one you made about San Bernardino intrigued me because that's my hometown.

[@califdad4]

Always crack's me up, Palm Springs newspaper always goes on about the crime in Desert Hot Springs and theirs is actually worse

[@TheFrenchPug]

I recently went out San Bernardino. It was super scary. I used to hang out at Central City Mall. Was the place to go. Section 8 housing killed most all of the areas in San Bernardino County. Brought everyone from East L.A. in.

[@califdad4]

@@TheFrenchPug my Aunt used to live there, 1960-1983 and then moved back closer to family in NorCal, she said it was going downhill then. Originally San Bernardino was working class/middle class and not a bad place

[@TheFrenchPug]

@califdad4 My Aunt still lives there. Down the street (4 houses) from where Rodney King lived before he was found dead in his pool. Fun fact as we never knew he moved from LA to Rialto until that happened.

[@califdad4]

@@TheFrenchPug I remember my aunt's eastern star friends lived in Rialto and they were Realtors and their neighborhood went downhill so fast they didn't have time to sell. I have heard Realto has actually gotten better

[@_warsp1te760]

I live in Palm Springs (w/ family, I moved here a year ago) and can say it is not bad in the right areas. I work in the Kitchen at a big restaurant here off Indian Canyon. Sucks that the other problems are coming here - the guy you interviewed said 3 people came up and asked him for money at Target. As of not too long ago, a few weeks maybe, there was a row of tents that went up right behind the Wal-Mart, which is right over by Target as well and the two events could possibly be related. There are more homeless people now but not as many as in other places in California. It gets too hot here for a good 7 months of the year, and then during the cool season our population triples, along with the traffic (I live here year-round), and during those times I notice more vagabonds, and more people with negative energy - but it is nice to see you look at the positive Nick because that's what I do and that's what I have been doing since I got here. It's really not that bad here. But it is during those tourist seasons that I am able to make more money, get more hours, and save for the Summer. Also, a number of construction projects have been lasting for years, but I saw a plot of land get sold and a gas station was built within 10 months, so there is some thieving going on all over politically and that's just one thing.

[@richardanderson9957]

I lived in Palm Springs for 20 years. It was then a calm, quiet, post card like place with the most livable climate in the Western Hemisphere. I could relax in my pool and view the snow capped mountains of San Gorgonio and San Jacinto. And I was just a low wage service worker. Finally my mid-century modern got so valuable that I quit work, sold the house and have lived the past 16 years in retirement living in Asia. Palm Springs was very good to me. In the years I lived there I never saw an identifiable homeless person on the streets.

[@langjr0]

What a wise move. Great story.

[@NadeemAhmad-me7fp]

It’s awesome you moved to Asia.

[@creamyspinach8951]

dude ur showing people the true colors of american city’s. Thank you

[@siouxfalls100]

Thank you for all the work you put into these videos. Social problems should bring us all together.

[@Ndw1995]

Kinda hard to do when the people causing most of the problems all have a common denominator

[@dickhead_brian]

Nope. Segregation is The Way. Keep those scumbags away from the non scumbags.

[@dkizxpt-su3ze]

The Democrats weaponize social problems by using them to destroy society so they can transfer power to themselves. Its the epitome of evil.

[@showtime951]

@Glenn Cookinham - Divergent social values forced in to the same space is a main factor of what is tearing us apart. Then it's everybody's job/cost to fix the "problem(s)"? Many people don't care to or can't see when there is a problem. This is where education, family, religion (a belief in something grander than yourself), charity, and personal responsibility come in to play. A public solution (government) is never the solution, only the problem. The smiling, promising, lying, cheating, stealing, over-promising, under-delivering, inadequately delivering, and sometimes killing problem.

[@siouxfalls100]

@@showtime951 The extreme cost of living in California makes clean and sober people homeless. And neighbors 😑 say "hell no" to section 8 housing. Also called Hud. You will not put that kind of housing in my neighborhood. I don't want any clean, sober, and poor people around me. Keep low income scum away from me. Poverty does not always mean drug abuse issues. Mental health is also a common cause of homeless.

[@fatmanchew909]

Palm Springs is like traveling to Baja California. It's still a paradise as long as you stay inside the resorts and enjoy the "utopia" while walling off reality.

[@mimi1o8]

@@joem3502 exactly.

[@fatmanchew909]

@@exexpatcitizen6582 Do they still offer the shuttle that drops off and picks up from downtown Tijuana? Haven't been down there since COVID.

[@greyhoundude6112]

I spent the night at that Motel 6! It was Halloween night, 1999. I was on my way from Oregon to Tucson to spend the winter in Arizona. I had never been to Palm Springs before. I will just say that it was wonderful. The room was clean, the staff was great, the motel was pet-friendly. I remember sitting outside at the nearby Starbucks and enjoying a cup of coffee with my dog and enjoying a beautiful evening in downtown Palm Springs. Everyone seemed to be super friendly. This was back when Oregon was nicer, Tucson was nicer and Palm Springs was delightful...no bums, no drugs, no loud noises. A terrific night spent in Palm Springs. Too bad it has lost some of its rich-folk charm. Oh well....I have the memories.

[@NickJohnson]

I wonder if we stayed in the same room!

[@greyhoundude6112]

@@NickJohnson - Doubtful. Looks like you were on the 2nd floor. The nice folks there (at the time, anyway) set me up in a ground floor room, as I had my pooch with me.

[@davel7014]

God has this place changed. I remember going there in the 1970's. It was so much smaller and laid back. I loved it and even considered moving there, despite the extreme heat in the summer. Last time I was there, it had gotten so expensive it was ridiculous. Even the main drag on Palm Canyon had changed a lot of old, cool buildings had been knocked down to build huge maga hotel resorts, totally ruining the feel of downtown. And property flippers drove the home prices up to rival Los Angeles. Seems it started to take a dive after Sony Bono died.

[@LearnExploreAdventure]

Love your content. Dude, the vid from San BernaGhetto, that was shocking. Same for Diego. I lived in Diego a few years back and the last time I was in SB was in 2019. Shocking...

[@NickJohnson]

SHOCKING

[@darksu6947]

@@NickJohnson 😲

[@wanted-33]

Well there y go. When a neighborhood with houses over 300K becomes the bad part of town, all is truly lost.

[@ericar8162]

Great video Nick, I can tell it's changed alot. I graduated from Palm Desert HS in 94. In those days, Palm Desert was really the ritzy ish area, Palm Springs had its bad and good parts but what surprised me the most was when you talked about the wealthy of today. My first apartment experience was in Bermuda Dunes in the 90s, it was pretty empty except for the fairly cheap apartment complexes, now I guess it's become ritzy? The kids from La Quinta also went to Palm Desert but it was considered a less nice area. It was pretty lower middle class. Indio has just always been bad lol, it was bad then, its bad now. I experienced alot of it, from the ritzy ness of Palm Desert to trying to be on my own in the crap of Cathedral (Cat) City. I giggled a little about the gay community because in the 90s, Palm Springs had a "famous to us" club called Daddy Warbucks, but all the a holes in HS called it Daddy Sorebutts. It was truly hot and expensive and that caused me to leave, but there is also seedy sides to the city you never see if your not in cat city and dhs. Get mixed up with the wrong people, time to leave.

[@yb8080]

I also remember the GAF club do you?

[@NickJohnson]

Erica we both graduated in '94!!

[@carolynw3602]

Back in the day (the 80's), we called it "Daddy Warbutts", lol

[@petefogel2133]

Guess what? Places change over 50 years. You need to get out some more.

[@JB-sg1vy]

@@petefogel2133 Does not seem like you have changed your underwear PETER! You say the same comment over and over. Places change but your comments don't I guess hahahahaha. And well of COURSE places change! The problem is SO many are changing to SHIT! Just like the people in the White House currently! But I am sure you voted for them! At least no more mean tweets tho right?!!!

[@rochelleesser7961]

So this is part two of my comments: I lived in the Coachella Valley for 24.5 years, and during this time the worst places to live for me were the “snooty rich” areas. Not being very well off financially, I felt most welcomed and cared for in Indio and even more so in Desert Hot Springs, which had a population of about 19k when I moved there. About the temperatures: Being tourist areas, I discovered that the powers that be in places like Palm Springs seem to scrub the actual temperatures out of searchable records. I lived in Palm Springs in 1994 when the temperature reached 135 degrees in the summer and it was 138 degrees further East around Indio or Coachella, but I’ve had online arguments with people who say that they looked it up and that I’m just exaggerating. I LIVED AND WORKED THROUGH IT; experiencing what it was like; bolting from my air conditioned house to my car and burning the hell out of my hands and butt getting in to get the air conditioning going before I could drive to work, and then parking my car and bolting into the air conditioned office; praying that by the time I left at the end of the day, it had cooled down enough that the door handles and seat of my car wouldn’t burn as much and the air conditioning would cool everything down sooner than it had in preparing for getting there. The average temperatures in Palm Springs during the hottest summer month of August are highs around 120 degrees in mid-afternoon and lows around 95 degrees at around 2am. Desert Hot Springs is on average about 10 degrees cooler than Palm Springs, and farther down valley, it’s on average between five and 10 degrees hotter the farther east you go. Fun fact: During the summer of 1994 it was cooler in Death Valley. It was quite a conversation piece at the time, but good luck finding that little tidbit of information now 🙄

[@KarlsLabReport]

I too have worked in 120 degree heat in the “inland empire”. Those temps are no joke!

[@rochelleesser7961]

@@KarlsLabReport Wow, it was actually that hot there, too? I remember the first summer I spent in the Inland Empire; relocating to the San Bernardino area from the South Bay area near Redondo Beach back in the mid-1980s. It was 106 degrees and I was absolutely miserable, considering I was used to 90 degrees being a heatwave. I had my grandma’s 1967 Pontiac that I had purchased from her a few years beforehand. It didn’t have AC and my kids were very young, so yeah, that was fun 🙄 Then I ended up relocating to the Coachella Valley where the 120 degree temperatures were “normal” 😆💯😖🙄

[@lucythecat12]

You picked the two cities with the highest murder rate funny enough. Indio and Desert Hot Springs are leading in those numbers. I use to visit the Palm Springs area. It's not so great. It's hot, too many homeless and drugs. Old people driving slow causing traffic jams. I'd tell you where I now visit but I don't want to blow up that spot 😂😅👀

[@rochelleesser7961]

@@lucythecat12 I’m sure that they’re much different now than they were when I lived there between 10 and 30 years ago.

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

The highest temperature ever recorded in the United States, the whopping 134 degrees Fahrenheit that sent the mercury soaring in Death Valley on July 10, 1913.

[@RedBud315]

I no longer live in SoCal but, I have a friend from the high school days whose father used to be Frank Sinatra's personal chef in Palm Springs. He opened his own restaurant in the 70's called Johhny Costas that is now run by my friend after his father retired. I took a group of 25 people there one time and no one ordered the same item from the menu and not one person had any complaints. They close during the summer months but, go check them out any other time and you won't be disappointed.

[@rjhemedes]

During Winter time, Palm Springs is one of the most beautiful places in the USA to visit. It's definitely a pretty city compared to most other parts of the country.

[@rjhemedes]

@@jim-ce5kt I'm guessing you have never visited Palm Springs during Winter time. I have traveled all over the USA. I don't care for cold/snowy places, nor do I care for overly humid places. Palm Springs is near perfect to visit during Winter time, which is why so many snowbirds from Canada and the colder states flock there for several months each year. I wouldn't want to live/visit there when the temperature goes above 95 degrees though.

[@petefogel2133]

It's a Fox News talking point to hate all of California. And you can tell by these threads that most of these people are trumpers

[@CosmicTarantula115]

I live near palm springs and go there every week. Place is ghetto asf. Apple valley is much nicer of a place.

[@josephaugello1527]

​@rjhemedes the whole valley is terrible. Hot and humid now from late June into Sept. Alot of crime and shootigs

[@rjhemedes]

@Joseph Augello what part of visiting Palm Springs during winter time did you not understand? Of course it's hot thete during the summer but it's definitely not humid. It's desert dry. Hot and Humid is what you get when visiting Eastern and Southern States during summer. Also, shootings ARE ALL OVER the USA thanks to lax gun laws.

[@Victoria-ie2wi]

Why do people hate on the well to do over 60 people. We worked hard for what we have. No one gave us hand outs that the people now want. We worked 7 days a week 10-12 hrs a day to fulfill are needs. We didn’t ask or expect to be given anything, we worked hard for it all, we didn’t feel entitled. These people who feel entitled are in for a rude awakening when they realize what “entitlement truly means…socialism.

[@davidarmitage289]

Also enjoyed the California series.. very educational thanks Nick!

[@lynyrdskynyrdtributeband]

As I stated in one of your previous episodes, homelessness is a spectrum disorder. Having worked with the homeless as a former law enforcement officer, efforts need to agressively begin with preventing homelessness. Once a person becomes homeless they are now vulnerable to drugs, mental illness and can reach the "Point of no return". This must be done to mitigate the distruction of our country from the inside out.

[@rickcramer7892]

HOW?

[@helpyourcattodrive]

Yup. Policies allowing them to stay outside are inhumane. It’s bad for them and for non-homeless.

[@TheBandit7613]

I work here in Las Vegas chasing the homeless people out of certain parts of town It's virtually 100% a fentanyl problem. These are not people down on their luck these are people that have already alienated family and friends by stealing. Has nothing to do with the cost of housing. You could be renting apartments for $400 a month and they still couldn't afford it. These people are heavy addicts. Wandering around emptying dumpsters all night long looking for something to sell. Breaking windows and stealing out of cars. Until we can honestly talk about the problem nothing will get better. Simply saying these people need counseling and lower cost housing is so disingenuous. These are addicts that are way past counseling.

[@robertboggs8142]

I think it’s time for Soylent green.

[@aname5476]

What kind of aggressive efforts are you talking about?

[@godfreygoodson6215]

I love the desert cities, it's my favorite pass-thru stay when I visit between Las Vegas and friends in Southern California. Being someone from a third-world country, I moved from the city to a rural setting on an island that requires ferrying to get to, people are impoverished financially, but the simple living and agriculturally diverse food resources keep people content with their lot, without excessive government welfare there is no incentive to not take care of oneself or each other out here.

[@winterking2510]

I visited Palm Springs a few years ago and was amazed at how the homeless folks have completely taken over the parks and common areas. Drugs were every where and crime was pretty bad. I have no desire to ever go back.

[@asrr62]

hmm i visited about 5 years ago and i diddnt see one homeless person.

[@alexcarter8807]

Gavin Newsom is talking about committing at least the crazier ones, and as we have tons of land in California, we can set up Happy Fun Camps(tm) with housing, junk food, trash TV, and all the drugs they like, where a zombie can be a zombie (and leave us working folks the hell alone!!)

[@metalmike570]

Looks like the homeless go where they could sponge off others and the first rule is tolerable weather. Seems like this area would be tough in the summer.

[@marthalacomba3306]

@@alexcarter8807 where a zombie is a zombie that's around the Salton Sea

[@ktmdad8078]

Drugs are everywhere sweetiez even in the richest neighborhoods usually house the biggest dealers supplying the poorer neighborhoods lol so quit the shyt moron lol smh

[@25djkaysay]

As I moved to Phoenix, I can't help but wonder if Phoenix has gotten a lot like California, as far as the cost of living here, and if the increased wages in California offset their cost of living issues, as compared to Phx.

[@scubasteve3800]

AZ is becoming SE California with all the corrupt politics that comes with it.

[@pj1234p]

Yeah, Phoenix has really gone to the dogs as well. Housing costs have gone up by 200% in the last couple of years and wages are mostly stagnant. The homeless situation is growing worse every year. Huge encampments of homeless people are found throughout the valley now. Back in the early 90s it was pretty nice here but now? Not so much!

[@jimkeskey]

Yes, Phoenix is turning into San Bernardino.

[@Gizathecat2]

An old boyfriend of mine grew up in Palm Springs in the 1950s. . He lived there during its heyday. I visited him at his old family home in the early spring of 1996 while he was getting it ready to sell. His old neighborhood was upscale, and the 1950s vintage homes were already looking tired. Other parts of Palm Springs still showed evidence of an earthquake that hit a few years earlier. So sad to see Palm Springs has gone downhill since then. I really liked the open air restaurants with shade canopies and cooling mist sprinkled on your head. The food was also great!

[@armynavymarine2]

Like holy moly you people really love to exaggerate. I live near Palm Springs and its still a very nice city despite the increase in homelessness. Rather live there than 'safe' and 'clean' bumfudge Nebraska. It's better than it was when I was a kid.

[@GenTikki]

I early 70’s Palm Springs was so nice.

[@palmtrees2420]

Vacation ideas for Palm Desert. The Marriot is a fun hotel with a lot of pools and the best hibachi restaurant I've ever been to called Mikado. My family goes once a year and we always have a great time.

[@MySkinnydip]

Nick cracks me up sometimes! I was watching at work incognito. But I couldn’t stop laughing!😂

[@christinebutler7630]

It's so arid and brown. Thanks, I'll stay in the lush green Blue Ridge.

[@Tonymanero1960]

I agree,....I live in Western Maryland. The Mid-Atlantic and the Carolina/Virginia mountains are paradises.

[@deserttamales7694]

Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and now Indio have been my home for so long. Began as a tourist but am here for the long haul now. Thank you for your share

[@terriwoodard7399]

Your videos are great and you are so funny!!! Been here in CA over 30 years and I love learning about the places you visit and the scenery. I learn a lot!! Love Mappy too

[@NickJohnson]

Mappy says HI!

[@terriwoodard7399]

@@NickJohnson Love me some mappy!!! Thanks

[@LuckyGuu]

Nick Johnson America's #1 Narrator! 🎤 = Educational and entertaining all wrapped up in one! 💥💪👍

[@kristis4571]

I love his snarky monotone. Lol he can get away with it. So funny 😂

[@MCCAUS13]

Mill- and mining-town workers drank, but there was definite camaraderie and pride. Although often strained, families had support through their communities and churches. I remember an expectation of self-commitment, and also people who would engage to provide some discipline to those who needed it. What I am seeing in your videos, and what I have seen in Austin in very-recent years, are people who lack those characteristics and support structures, and who have ready access to substances that are more potent than traditional alcohol. Instead of disciplinarians, I more often see enablers. Constructive intervenors are now often ridiculed. These changes are not healthy for our friends and communities.

[@teemoleague907]

In California, the state replaced the church. Sadly there are no good morals. People think idea of good morals is too stand up against capitalism. They have a notion that people will share job duties and be happy. The end goal is to end authoritive roles because everyone will be equal. They belive a a noncapitalists society will end drug problems, poverty, and crime. Anyways, they just don't understand. the rich will eventually move away and there fairytale will end.

[@malcolmmarzo2461]

MCCAUST: What you say is very much the case in K-12 schools for the last 20 years. Kids without home discipline and self discipline running rampant. Teachers and principals without authority.

[@yaimavol]

Yes, there is never a conversation about the responsibility homeless people have to their fellow citizens. It's always a one-way street. Using a sidewalk as a toilet is grossly disrespectful to everyone else and is an indication of a person who has zero sense of responsibility or conscience.

[@rubyparchment5523]

Who disciplines and lords it over you?

[@TorgoLives]

I know a few 60ish couples who moved to Palm Springs years ago. They're not rich at all by California standards but were able to afford an average home there because they worked hard for decades. I find it interesting that it's ok to call people like them pompous and snobby but the 'non-domiciled' should not be disrespected by labeling them the 'H' word.

[@243wayne1]

Homeless is the perfect word.

[@MsUrsy]

Just moved away from desert edge. We have lived in Palm Springs, Yucca and desert edge. The heat is overwhelming!! The trash is over whelming. I grew up in Hemet and that turned into a huge trash can too! Makes me incredibly sad to see how sad California has become. We moved to Colorado again. We lived here for about 7 years and moved back to California for about 12. To say it is just California affected by high cost of living and all the crud going on….yikes, it’s everywhere anymore. The homeless here is out of control and they are trying to do rent control because it has changed dramatically here as well! The world has gone crazy! So many mentally ill folks floating around. Drugs are rampant and out of control. Graffiti and trash all over. Super sad. I am just grateful to live back in Colorado so there is seasonal weather not just hot and hotter! That was above anything taking a toll on my own mental health!

[@noxion4625]

I'm from Hemet also and I moved out to Oklahoma years ago. Came back to Hemet for a funeral 2 years ago, and I saw a homeless man naked and vomiting right on Florida Avenue at 5pm! Broad daylight. Couldn't imagine as a kid that my hometown would collapse into such a shithole. Lived in Oklahoma for the better part of a decade and I have yet to see a scene like that here.

[@MsUrsy]

@@noxion4625 I have family there still and have been there quite a few times and can never get used to how bad it has become there. When my family moved there, there was 20000 people there now it’s over 80k. I have seen some pretty crazy things there too. It was such a wonderful place to grow up. So sad!

[@rickcramer7892]

I visited PS on a regular basis when my parents lived there. I live in LA and have considered moving there myself, but the homeless situation is just out of control. That being said, you just crack me up with some of your commentary. It is dead on

[@chrisexperience7]

What people don’t talk about is how many homeless folks are on the east coast. From Florida to North Carolina. And they are aggressive in asking for money. Going up to your window and knocking on your window. Or following you into stores and begging. But yeah, let’s listen to what’s popular; California has a big problem. 😒

[@KaliAndy2]

Hah yup. Its the popular topic among conservatives. I have traveled lots all over US. Drive through states like Mississippi or really any bible belt states, Appalachia, etc. In parts it feels like driving through poor areas in Mexico. People living in half fallen over buildings, broken roofs covered with tarps, etc. Stop at store/gas station and half the people have hardly any teeth left. As far as drug use, CA is not even anywhere close to top 10 and is not even in top half. Wonder why these people don't talk about places like West Virginia or Arkansas. I am sure it has nothing to do with those places being red states. Got to fit the bias and narrative.

[@carmshlotsky5447]

I love to read all the rethuglicon comments.

[@NickJohnson]

Uh we don't have many homeless in NC

[@chrisexperience7]

@@NickJohnson come with a better argument Nick. As someone who does “research” I’d expect more from you. Every Highway exit has a homeless waiting for you to hand them a dollar, or two.

[@KaliAndy2]

@@NickJohnson NY is #2 FL #3 and NC #15 in nation for homeless per capita. Homelessness is not a state or coast specific problem. Many states with low homelessness rates criminalize it by locking up people for illegal camping, loitering and do messed up stuff like buying tickets and put homeless on buses to move them to other states. It is a complex issue without easy solutions. Judging does not solve or help with anything but does put $ in your pocket from YT views. Congrats.

[@jrecm4816]

Just spent 4 days before Thanksgiving in a non gated community very near downtown and LOVED IT! We went hiking in Joshua Tree, Tahquitz Canyon , walked to downtown coffee shops, hubby rode his bike a lot. Adult son thoroughly enjoyed the hikes and vibe. We live in So Calif (3rd generation )and the politics of Calif.. seem to be what the people want. I don't get it

[@delbertcook3264]

Fact Check * Joshua Tree is in the High Desert

[@sambulthuis287]

@@delbertcook3264shut up

[@curtbilyeu8701]

its not what the people want. three times we tried to get rid of Gaven N. the corruption is sad. i grew up in palm desert. the coachella valley and CA is a shithole. used to be the best state in the US.

[@jrecm4816]

@@delbertcook3264 I know that duh...Stayed in Palm Springs to hike there one day

[@bovineknievel410]

Ask the millions who have moved to other states from California if the politics of California are what they wanted.

[@tallulahbeaverhausen4382]

You know what, Nick ? Actually, for once, I'd like to see a video about a city or town where ONLY "rich old timer" live. I'm pretty sure there would be no druggies yelling, defecating and ODing in the streets, no miles of tarp, tents and stolen goods, no filth and litter spread all over the place, no crime... Thanks for your awesome videos and insight - and happy new year !

[@NickJohnson]

I do those videos and no one clicks on them.

[@nicklane1897]

@@NickJohnson "if it bleeds it leads" I guess? "que the waterskiing squirrel puff piece!"

[@Tonymanero1960]

I think the reason Nick doesn't get as many views on great towns is because(in my opinion) to most people they are unaffordable and already ''discovered''.Why waste your time,....whereas a place sucks video is a caution for places to stay away from,...which is more important.

[@sumgai2585]

Ketchum Idaho

[@l.plzsavethebeez485]

​@@elultimo102Hey, kid... guess what ? If you're lucky you'll be one someday! Can you just imagine trying to navigate your walker around a pile of poo? Or can you imagine living down the hall from party goers in & out all times of the night? We don't want to be isolated, still like to eat and drink ( a little) but if we exercise during the day we expect a decent, quiet bedtime and a clean neighborhood to live in!

[@whyamiheredlb]

Can we please just clarify that this infestation of poverty, crime, homelessness and drugs is not just a California problem. Let’s also look at Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, St.Louis Mo, Philly, Detroit, Houston, Tampa, Indianapolis, NY City and the list goes on. Mismanaged by supposed “Public Servants “ that cater to the NIMBY wealthy, keeping one hand out for kick backs while their cities fall to ruin. God forbid these politicians actually make a difference for the amount of bank we pay them.

[@user-or6ht4vi6u]

No- because hating CA and liberals is the basic underlying premise in all the videos. No matter where they are set. It's his jam. Good videos and tiresome repetitive CA hate on a loop.

[@mikemiller659]

@@user-or6ht4vi6u cant say libs didnt ask for it..there all about appeasing the issues afraid to tell addicts NO

[@allexxo_]

@@user-or6ht4vi6u hes literally obsessed with california it’s embarrassing

[@ShubhamMishrabro]

Sadly many Republican will not realise this until their states starts getting this problem

[@dh605x]

While these problems are not unique to California, they are especially acute there. Bad policies come with a price, and California got away with murder in this area for a time. I don't know where this will end, but it seems that CA will continue to decline as their most productive residents flee to other states that aren't pursuing the horrendously bad policies that ruined California.

[@jillberryhill9014]

I grew up in so cal and moved to NC in 1999 and never looked back. If I would have stayed in Cali I would probably have to have 3 jobs just to live there. Thank you for your great videos!!

[@jamescalifornia2964]

😮‍💨 I should have followed you ...

[@brianarnold4368]

And forced to learn a foreign language - just to communicate ..

[@delias2342]

I live in Palm Desert CA Palm Springs has gone way down with homeless population & drug use along with mental illness. I try not to go out there unless needed. Yes i love Del Taco. Palm Desert is mainly conservative,clean & beautiful safe parks. Unlike Palm Springs allow to dispose needles. Don't get me wrong I love the architectural homes,the improvements made in downtown with new shops,restaurants & hotels. However it's become like San Francisco.

[@botmanjq1]

R.I.P Huell Howser the O.G. California Vloger.

[@NickJohnson]

He's amazing

[@GlitchPG3D]

Used to live near palm springs for a couple years, for collage i moved there now i live down in miami. lots of homeless people here and there, warm too!

[@monroefuches2707]

Must’ve been some *collage* you went to

[@MarlinAmada]

Go back it’s called college. Not collage

[@cmthumboldt6896]

​@@MarlinAmada maybe they were talking about art? Commas are important! 😆

[@mikehobson711]

@@MarlinAmada collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage collage

[@jwwalker688]

Public education

[@milessampson3942]

House at 10:25 “I Support The Current Thing!” 🤩

[@Hammett175]

Word.

[@dunsmuir238]

Thank you so much for covering what is happening to this beautiful state. The current Governor and State Legislature do not believe incarceration works. In reality, their liberal concepts don't work.

[@jasonjames4254]

I'm sure the homeless will keep those porta potties spotlessly clean. 🤣

[@bonnieblenders4606]

I live in California. Halfway thru you were talking about the trash problem. I blame this, like so much else in the 'leadership' back in the day all your trash could go to the curb and away would it go to the dump. These days you have to pay by the barrel and anything else like couches say, would cost you more than your 70 bucks a month. I see so much everywhere that looks like hoarders, but honestly they probably can't afford the extra fees. Yuma has a great idea. Twice a year everyone puts out what they don't want at the curb. Everyone has a couple weeks to 'shop' everyone else's trash and at the end trash pick up takes the rest to the dump

[@douglasdingwall1596]

I've got to tell you everytime I watch one of your videos it really makes me appreciate just where I am...California, you can keep it.

[@douglasdingwall1596]

@@exexpatcitizen6582 I own a lakefront home on Upper Greenwood Lake NJ....about an hour outside NYC, surrounded by state forests to the south east, state parks to the west, watershed lands to the south. Lots outdoor things to do here....the Appalachian trail is about a mile down the road a little further is Warwick NY, kind of an artsy town, farmland and apple orchards. I'm retired so commuting the hour to work is not an issue which I did for 40 years. Hiking just minutes away, freshwater fishing is right out the front door, skiiing is about 15 minutes away. I'm not really into the city life but I could go to NYC for a baseball game if I wanted to, easier just to watch on TV...the Jersey shore is not that far....not really into the beach scene or saltwater fishing but its not too far. Lot of wildlife right out my window....always seem to discover new bird species. Google up "Upper Greenwood Lake Property Owners Assoc." There is a drone video of the lake.

[@MPWEST83]

I've lived here in Palm Springs for 9 years now. When I first moved here, yeah, you'd see a few homeless people, but right around the time covid hit, sightings became more and more frequent. Rumors started spreading that other, larger cities were packing homeless people on busses and bringing them out here in droves, just dropping them off without provisions or plans to help them. And I have a few friends on the police force who have confirmed that this is true. I've worked in the gas station business for over 20 years, and see them every day. They smoke their drugs out in the open blatantly, leave their trash and excrement everywhere, and steal anything they can get their hands on. A large majority of them also have highly contagious diseases due to lack of proper hygiene. But here's the real problem. These people have mental illnesses or traumas that they have not faced head on and gotten through. I myself was homeless and a drug addict in my younger years, so I know first hand that drug use is a way of self medicating and numbing past traumas and pain. I've had people tell me that because of this I should be more understanding with the homeless issue. But to be honest, I am more intolerant of it than the average person.Because I know that if I can get through all of that and come out on the other side, that anybody can do it. There is no excuse. There was no hope for me and yet I cleaned up and have a pretty good life now. You have to want to get the help and have a better life for yourself. I talk to a lot of these people on an almost daily basis and have asked a lot of them why they don't want to get the help and have a better life, and the majority of them tell me that they don't want to have any rules to live by, that they like the freedom of getting to do whatever they want, and I get that to an extent. But I also tell them that they are worth more than their addictions and traumas. I tell them that anytime they need to talk, I am there for them. If I could just reach one person, I try to do that. Because even though i'm intolerant of everything that comes with the homeless, I also know that they are just as important as anybody else.And they are fighting many battles that we know nothing about. Sorry for the lengthy comment but I felt like I needed to do this.

[@Eaglerow77]

After I left Huntington beach in 1984 I moved to yucca Valley I had secured contracts with the city of Palm Springs to start hooking up all the homes on city septic lines, so my company dug the trenches in the middle of the streets then ran the lateral lines from the houses to the lateral lines in the street. I worked on Jack Warners house and his sons house next door to him and we became friends. Jack's Wie would always make ice tea for us and after work they would invite me over for dinner and a swim in the huge beautiful pool they had. They were very nice people. I really enjoyed their friendship and their many great stories of all the movie stars they knew and some of the stories about those movie stars. Great times man. Great times. Great video too.

[@milo007pop]

Hey Nick , How are you doing man? .... Damn those pictures are real .. Never visited the place but now l am happy that l don't need to visit Palm Springs..... But be safe and keep showing us the real stuffs.... Keep doing 👍

[@teresaaljayyousi8447]

I live in Indio as well. If I couldn’t live in the Coachella Valley I would not want to live in California. I love the views we have regardless of your income. We get to share such a gorgeous place to live. Yes homelessness is getting bad. They are how ever opening up a large mental health facility as mandated by the state in Indio. Palm Springs also has the only methadone clinic in the entire valley. People have to travel there every day. I had a friend who’s son would pan handle in Palm Springs every day to get gas money every day

[@victorc8804]

Vista and oceanside are nice in North County 760

[@rochelleesser7961]

I lived in Southern California my whole life; from the South Bay, to the Coachella Valley, and many places in between. I was very active in many of the communities I called home; serving on various boards and commissions, running for public office, writing for local publications, and even working for a residential recovery center. I care very deeply for the communities I call home. However I left California behind because I was no longer able to deal with the stress and extreme expense of living there. I joined the Great California Exodus a few years ago, and my quality of life has improved immensely ever since. I watch your videos about many of the places I’ve called home, and it truly saddens me to see them deteriorating so badly, and my heart breaks for my former fellow community members who are suffering through it and cannot escape from it; showing me just how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to get the heck out of Dodge when I did. I’ve always considered myself to be a hopeless optimist, but my experiences are turning me into a stark realist who understands that unless extremely drastic changes happen in my birth state, I don’t see it ever being my home again; I’ve adopted the state I’ve escaped to as my new permanent home state.

[@NickJohnson]

Wonderful!

[@Minionmoto529]

growing up here and still living here, my town has changed a lot. it doesn't feel like home anymore in some ways. so many people moving here from L.A. and San Diego. I ride dirt bikes and it sucks that some places are getting shut down but the worst part is for sure all the trash being dumped in the desert and the (homeless) people living in R.V'S and tent cities out there.

[@vladmira]

Thanks for all of your videos and insight. I was recently in Florida and it was nothing compared to the Southwest and West Coast.

[@MsRobinL]

I was born and raised in California. Sad truth though, I have lived away for 40 years and you couldn't pay me to move back there! The expense, crime and politics has made California a failed state

[@tinafoos8018]

@ Robin L-I very much agree!-I was also born and raised in California, and have been away for 40+ years, and since visiting family there this past summer, I can clearly see that, although pleasant and fun to visit, the ridiculous expense and UNCHECKED crime would totally prevent my wanting to live there!!

[@fuji4202]

Spring Break in the 80s was a 💣 .

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

yes it was

[@Lifetalk849]

The epicenter of American paradise has shifted far to the east and north of Palm Springs. It's now located somewhere between Hyannis, Nebraska and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Last best place, y'all!

[@NickJohnson]

Yes Sara yes.

[@tomtaber1102]

Very Funny!!!

[@hurryandleave9680]

California comes up with the bad ideas, but the rest of the U.S. makes them even worse. So, I'm staying in California.

[@mimi1o8]

Cold paradise isn’t for me, I’m afraid.

[@brianmatthews4149]

Costa Rica Belize baby.

[@tejastiger61]

Thanks NICK for caring to point out what needs to be pointed out. Excellent observations.

[@billj8817]

I've stayed at that Motel 6 before. Never again!

[@billmelichar6822]

Palm Springs represents the larger problem in this country which has become a Plutocracy which is ruled by the wealthy and is squeezing out the middle class which results in more homelessness since people can no longer afford a roof over their head. I first visited Palm Springs during its hay day back in the 1960's and it was beautiful, and by the turn of the century housing in the area was still very inexpensive compared to anything on the coastal side of the mountains. Now I have noticed home prices rapidly catching up to those on the other side of the mountain even though there are many disadvantages to living out there like extreme heat and lack of high paying jobs. The problem will also be much more visible as the wealthy become richer and the middle class becomes squeezed out of existence. The homeless will always go to areas where the climate is suitable to live outdoors year around which is why California and any warm climate areas will continue to have a homeless problem. The problem comes from the top in this country and until wages are brought back into balance where we have a large middle class once again things will only get worse until a revolution gets underway, which I think maybe happening silently in this country.

[@showtime951]

The problem comes from the top alright! But not the wealthy, not the upper-class. The government. The political elite. The top 1-2% individuals and technocrats that pay-to-play for everything they want at the expense of the nation. That's how a guy like Biden who has never had a private sector job in his life gets rich. That's how Nancy & Paul Pelosi's stock portfolio outperforms the best hedge funds on Wall Street (insider trading). The government doesn't want a middle-class that is why they have worked hard to destroy it. Any solution that involves the government appears not to be a solution at all. Courts, Congress, FBI, CIA, NIH, NIS, DHS, AMA, Banking, FTC, HEW, and more, all documented verifiably proven rigged. "....they say it's gonna be alright. It's gonna be alright!..."

[@billmelichar6822]

@@showtime951 I think you're talking about a political party called the Republicans, who don't want to raise the minimum wage, don't want unions, don't even want programs that we have paid for our entire working lives and have nothing to do with the budget like Social Security, and Medicare! Now they are telling us what we can read, what our children can and cannot learn in school, and what religion we should all be living by. They also protect corporations and big money which crosses their palms like the NRA.

[@midwestguy8771]

I’ve been waiting for your analysis on Palm Springs. You did an excellent job and it’s sad to see the city and decline especially with all the new policies that are coming into play now with the city officials in Palm Springs. Slowly but surely you will see it change and end up just like LA and San Francisco. It’s gonna take time but it’ll happen.

[@yaimavol]

Yep, you literally shift all your public policy to accomodate the needs of the minority homeless community, half of whom are too stoned out to make decisions anymore and everybody else just has to live with it. Santa Monica is so bad now, you can't even ride the light rail. It's become a mobile home for homeless

[@toniladenheim8322]

Nick, I love your videos! I'm a native Republican Californian and there are areas I won't go near such as the desert. What if the electrical grid went out in the summer? Yikes! Yes, the Palm Springs area has definitely declined. Some of my favorite areas are the "Gold Coast" such #1 Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, Carmel, Big Sur, LaJolla Cove , Del Mar, or. Rancho Santa Fe. These areas have mild temperatures comparatively speaking. San Marcos is a booming and thriving city for growing families with amazing schools. Many other areas in California are also building and developing like crazy. I'm not that familiar with Northern California. We definitely have bubble economies and diversity but with 40 million people plus millions of tourists it's more like a country.

[@NickJohnson]

I love San Marcos!! Spent my summers there every year!

[@toniladenheim8322]

@@exexpatcitizen6582 Thank you!

[@terry7375]

Republicans are the problem

[@aron8949]

San Marcos sucks now, I grew up there, the traffic is insane, houses are unaffordable, so I had to move out of state.

[@QueenOfTheNorth65]

I visited Palm Springs 3 years ago before COVID hit. My sister has a condo there. I thought it was beautiful. I’m going back in a couple of months.

[@user-pl3lo8cc8y]

like the video.. i’ve lived in palm springs for about 10 years.. there are homeless and drug use, but it just doesn’t seem that bad overall.. drug abuse cuts across class here, so it’s not just a “poor person” problem…

[@survivingthetimes]

Mental health is like that everywhere.

[@paulkent2219]

I love the Coachella Valley & it still looks like most rural towns, small cities, & former oil/mining/factory towns across the USA. Every big city, small town, rural farm has crime, graffiti, trash, & abandoned former treasures. We all need to care for the places we call home & nobody likes people to talk trash about their community. Lucky to live in CA.

[@lindsayf8688]

I live in palm springs and I can say I am nowhere close to wealthy 😂😂 . Palm springs is a resort town but pretty soon the locals who work the hotels and restaurants won't be able to afford the Coachella valley.

[@beachstreet101]

This was a good video. I used to frequent Palm Springs years ago and it was always beautiful and amazing. Haven’t been lately but the way you describe it doesn’t sound any different than many parts of the United States and Los Angeles. Palm Springs seems more on a lower scale compared to that.

[@richardjackley334]

Nick, I grew up in El Monte ( born 1958). The only times we traveled SB to get to The Redlands and, ultimately, to camping in Barton Flats and other camp grounds. Swimming in the freezing Jinks lake. At that time there was little between East LA and SB other than Pomona and Fontana, which was nearly nothing at the time. It always felt like SB had a different culture than their LA neighbors. In fact agriculture was a main economic factor back in the day. I remember smoky haze as a result of the smudge pots during the cold periods. I have been a resident of the state of Florida for over forty years and now live in the very north part of the state and love it. The good news is I still have fond memories of growing up in California.

[@theusa395]

Palm Springs goes back to the 60s. It was a good place to live even though it’s WARM all year long (almost).

[@Powder148]

my wifes parents had a condo for 10 years and we would go sometimes 3 times a year get a break from the PNW weather. Its pretty expensive though now we go vacation in Phoenix way less price wise

[@whiplash4427]

I have lived in the Palm Springs area for over 40 years. Yes it has changed A LOT. Its sad.

[@supersnapp]

I travel all ove the country -- and this "sadness" directly corresponds to cities that go from being nearly entirely white to being non-white.

[@whiplash4427]

@@supersnapp The problem with Palm Springs has nothing to do with Race although the city council would argue against that since they like to cover up for those that give them money. When the city of Palm Springs voted to change, thats what they did, Changed what was at one time a vacation home to the stars to an embarrassment to the state.

[@supersnapp]

@@whiplash4427 I don't follow. What was the change again? And you know that this issue is responsible for 100% of the reason, even though all places that become non-white go downhill? How would you know it has nothing to do with race? I have stopped going to CA. CA has next level diversity. So you are also proposing that CA's decline from the 1960s, where the state was largely white -- to now where it is a third world cornocopia has nothing to do with race?

[@boerplaas388]

I thought America was so rich 😂. Mmmmm They sure can dish the money out to Zelensky in Ukraine but they can’t take care of the homeless 😅PATHETIC

[@bentonja668]

Yes it's pathetic I agree

[@featheredserpentofthewest2049]

Pathetic indeed

[@survivingthetimes]

They shouldn't be dishing it out to either

[@westsacramentowastetrucks]

It really is so sad! Very disappointed as a Ca resident that votes against our gov all the time

[@magicjohnsonsmagicjohnson]

@Mac it’s rich, and still has a better quality of living than most anywhere else, but OP is right, our funds are woefully mismanaged

[@kespo5358]

How Palm Springs looks now is how all California towns end up. Between the Gold Rush, Boomtowns, and the Dustbowl, California towns rise up and slowly die, full of people addicted and down on their luck. I lived in the central valley and the desert in the 80s and 90s and how Palm Springs looks now is how many towns looked back then. FFS, Needles has always looked like this. Like 90% of this video reminds me of driving around Cali in the 80s. In fact, it's pretty amazing that places like Bel Air and Knob Hill have managed to stay the way they have for decades. But their time will come as it does for all Cali towns.

[@harryyarrow4110]

Welcome to California.The real estate prices and taxes are making it very difficult for almost everyone.🧡

[@aerofart]

I remember back in my high school days we would all head out to Palm Springs for “Spring’s Break.” What a party atmosphere that was. The main strip was a parking lot from end to end filled with fast bikes, fancy cars, hot babes in thong bikinis (tops optional) and cold beer. Add to that the searing heat and warm nights and the remoteness of a desert oasis at the base of a towering mountain, and the experience is psychedelic magic, with or without medicinal intoxicants. I still get that feeling every time I visit and watching this video reminds me it’s time for another visit.

[@herbertthewaterrat]

Now that's something to remember.

[@winchestersons6258]

Those spring breaks were awesome

[@doyledean2763]

I lived and worked in PS in the 1980s. The north end was really bad back then. Kids would throw boulders at cars coming into town and drag people out for a beating and robbery. Most of the cops were completely cs and useless. Things got a little better when Sonny became mayor. In the early 80s, many businesses would close for the summer and the population would fall. It was an interesting and often fun place to live. I remember than I had to cover my steering wheel with a towel. Thanks for the video.

[@scrappydoo9]

You do some awesome videos, Nick. Just happened to stumble on a few of yours and they are quite entertaining and informative!

[@yodservant]

My mom lived in Palm Desert and then Indio back in 2015-17...she really liked it Indio esp. We have relatives in La Quinta....used to visit every couple months driving down from Big Sur area. We ended up leaving California in 2019 for Arizona....miss our old California.

[@roystroble3354]

Someone painted there garage Ukraine colors 😂😂😂, what a joke

[@nothat0therguy992]

"I support the current thing"