The Truth About Pontiac, Michigan: Is It As Bad As They Say?

[@eloiseharris2014]

Nice video. I've lived here for all of my 65 years. Currently in Seminole Hills. We have our problems, but I love my neighbors, and we watch out for each other

[@Historylovescompany]

Thank you. I live in the Franklin Boulevard historic district just a stones throw away.

[@Dfanch]

Always thought that Pontiac was a diamond in the rough. Excited to see how it'll develop in the years to come. Great video!

[@Historylovescompany]

I’ve lived here for 6 years in the Franklin Boulevard historic district with those exact thoughts 😆 it’s slowly happening. Eventually it will pop.

[@katwilkinson93]

I was born and raised there, nothing is ever gonna change with the crime wave.

[@IsmailAbdulMusic]

Former heavyweight boxing champion Pinklon Thomas, is also from Pontiac and has a street named in his honor on the city's south end. Pinklon fought Mike Tyson as well as Tommy Morrison (Morrison co-starred in Rocky 5 with Stallone)

[@Historylovescompany]

I actually was not aware of this. Thank you 😊

[@entertexthere1127]

Lol I bought a house and moved to Pontiac back in 2015. Between Telegraph and Voorhees. Its a very simple, quiet neighborhood. Pretty boring actually. I love walking in downtown Pontiac. Just my personal opinion. Do you guys remember Summit Place Mall?

[@Historylovescompany]

Of course I remember summit place. Are you in Pioneer Highlands?

[@entertexthere1127]

@Chris Hubel 😀 No man. I used to live with my mom in keego Harbor and went to school in West Bloomfield. My daughter is currently in the West Bloomfield school district as well. We live in S Tilden Street it's so quiet and boring hahaha, it make no sense to me when they say the crime rate in Pontiac, I know it's happening, but I guess our family just keep it to ourselves. Love Pontiac btw.

[@padillas4357]

It used to be called the Pontiac Mall and was annexed by the City for a while. The border with Waterford is Telegraph, so the property is part of Waterford. Fun fact: there was an elephant 🐘 buried on the property near Pontiac Lake Road. It died when the Circus was in town.

[@padillas4357]

Do you guys remember the Vernors bottling plant that was on Old Telegraph near Orchard Lake Road?

[@TheStryfe000]

I've lived here all my life and although it has some rough areas it has its perks

[@jeanniewatson6820]

Thank you for your videos. I’m from Pontiac but moved away 13 years ago.

[@Historylovescompany]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the kind words.

[@dustinwest9875]

I've visited Pontiac on many different occasions and i liked ot. Did bicycle eiding and lots of walking through the city neighborhoods

[@Historylovescompany]

I’ve lived in Pontiac for about 6 years now and I love it.

[@andrewbuck50]

Nice video!

[@Historylovescompany]

Thank you sir!

[@RayPointerChannel]

I moved to Pontiac three years ago based on the need to buy a low cost house quickly since the home I sold in Grand Rapids sold quickly, and I had six weeks to find a new place to live. At first, I thought I'd be here a short period while I continued looking for another property. But after three years, I've become comfortable. I have good neighbors and have never had any problems here. All of the crime happens elsewhere.

[@Historylovescompany]

I’m so happy to hear this. My story is pretty similar. Pontiac was never an option and then it was. Almost 8 years later and I have 0 complaints. #pontiacproud

[@IsmailAbdulMusic]

You forgot Moses Wisner mansion from the mid 1800's. I grew up in Pontiac, and it was fun and diverse. I filmed all of my music videos in city of Pontiac. Graduated from Pontiac Central High school calss of '00

[@Historylovescompany]

I’ll eventually do a video on the Wisner mansion. It’s definitely on my list.

[@IsmailAbdulMusic]

@@Historylovescompany Excellent, looking forward to it!

[@padillas4357]

The Historical Society has a museum and archive there. This place is a hidden gem in a ruff area.

[@rawbacon]

In the 1970s my Dad used to tell us to lock the doors as we were driving thru Pontiac, back in the days when most cars didn't have power locks. That being said like all cities some areas are better than others. I was born in Pontiac, my Dad worked for Pontiac Motors and I've even owned a couple of Pontiacs, and I've contracted work at some businesses in Pontiac. Some of the neighborhoods have an interesting design and the area does have potential. Just now trying to find an old paint factory we did work for "Akzo", not sure but looks like the new part is still there but they might have taken down the old building. After all these years I'm not sure what street it was on so maybe I'm just not seeing it on "Maps".

[@up-uw4op]

only been robbed, assaulted, and harrassed in small safe towns. never an issue in my hometown of pontiac. my grandma never had an issue her whole life. every town has drugs. i find needles on the ground in upper michigan

[@Historylovescompany]

I completely agree. A city is what you make it. I’ve raised my 6 year old son in downtown Pontiac and I’ve never had a problem. Almost all the crime is domestic or drug related. Surround yourself with good people in the community and see all that the city has to offer.

[@regalt1987]

Northern Mi is where peeps go to retire or disappear.

[@up-uw4op]

@@Historylovescompany do you rent places or only sell? im looking for a place in pontiac asap.

[@Historylovescompany]

@@up-uw4op feel free to shoot me a call or text 947-414-0378

[@martellcarthane]

I'm from Pontiac, family as well grow up on the Blvd. The city to me has increased in murder just this weekend 4 teenagers killed some dude from Waterford. Not saying to try and brag, and I understand u speaking on ur own experience. Cause I too have never been robbed in the city. But I'm not go act like it's not dudes who will blow ur head off. We ain't Detroit, but for Oakland that's who we are.

[@robertbruce1887]

Some interesting historical neighborhoods mentioned at the start

[@chrishayden82]

I’m getting ready to move to Pontiac, I have hung out downtown for years. Seems like anywhere else has it’s good and bad parts

[@Historylovescompany]

I completely agree. I’ve been here for 6 years now.

[@rossfriedman6570]

I actually really enjoyed this

[@Historylovescompany]

Thank you. I’m super happy to hear that.

[@daniellewis2133]

At least half of the downtown buildings are empty.

[@JimboGrace81]

Pontiac dropped the ball with the Phoenix Center. I went to a few great concerts there and on the grounds. It could have been great but incompetence led to its decay and abandonment. Half the storefronts on Main Street are vacant.

[@Historylovescompany]

I agree. Hopefully the counties new plan brings some life back in the near future.

[@genemitchell8394]

I work in pontiac and lived there for quite some time, although from New York. I would say that Pontiac has been trying to copy it's big brother Detroit for decades. It is a blue collar town and refuses to be "classed up". People have tried, over and over again, to "add class" to Pontiac and have always failed. One (of many) good example was the Menagerie restaurant, with $100 steaks and fancy artwork. It lasted a month. Don't try to open anything fancy here. It began it's decline in about 1974 and only occasionally perked up a bit. There is a lot of potential, don't get me wrong. You have to find the right niche if you want to start a business, and address the actual residents, not what you want there to be (like the Menagerie, who hoped to attract a higher class of people to them).

[@Historylovescompany]

I completely agree with this. I ate there once while it was open and it was severely overpriced for Pontiac. The ambiance I feel was a bit of a miss as well. In the coming years I do see things working our for the city but definitely not time to bring a Lululemon in 🤣

[@billieduncan330]

More pictures/video of what your talking about would be helpful.

[@GHO5tMod3]

Pontiac isn’t bad and I’m from Detroit never had issues there just kept to myself and it’s right next to Bloomfield ❤

[@Historylovescompany]

I agree. I’ve lived in Pontiac for about 7 years now.

[@breanna6315]

I would love more information about Pontiac is there a way to get in contact with you?

[@Historylovescompany]

My cell is [phone]

[@gorillakid9394]

So I came to this out of Curiosity because KZbinr /rapper DDG from here and seen some people/fans say it’s a Dangerous some people say it’s safe

[@Historylovescompany]

Thanks for checking it out. I’ve lived here for 7 years now. The city is very much what you make it. Stay out of trouble and I’ve found it to be just as safe as the next. My son was raised here and we’ve been very happy in the city.

[@daniellewis2133]

I bought my 4 bed 2 bath 1270sqft built in 2006 house for 100k in 2020.

[@Historylovescompany]

Your values probably gone up quite a bit since then as well. It’s come a long ways since I bought my home in 2017.

[@rickperales8544]

Just bought a house here, compare to other areas, I got a steal on my home, all areas of Michigan have up sides and down sides, take part in your community and be part of the solution

[@Historylovescompany]

I couldn’t agree with this more. I also live in Pontiac and I enjoy it. My family and I have been here 7 years now,

[@williamellison7981]

They never speak about Clinton valley the state insane asylum?

[@Historylovescompany]

It was torn down years ago. A newer construction neighborhood sits on the grounds now.

[@williamellison7981]

They called stone gate now

[@padillas4357]

There was the possibility of it becoming a University or Law School before it was torn down. Several of the streets in the subdivision are named after the former Mayor and his family.... so it's not hard to guess what happened there. Oh, and the proposed School, I believe it found a location in Florida.

[@padillas4357]

The Historical society has a book on the former State Hospital for sale.

[@Theredeyedjedi]

I had to subscribe to your channel. Im thinking of living in Pontiac or Detroit

[@Historylovescompany]

Let me know if you’d like to connect to discuss each city and what they offer.

[@kreshag]

My home town for 44 years 😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@shaylawatson1244]

This is where DDG from 😂

[@dustinwest9875]

Yeah it is. DDG, Ro Spit, actor Ismail Abdul-Aziz, Hollywood Street Savage, One Be Lo, Michigunn, Binx Vadar are some of many talented music and tv artist in Pontiac

[@DallasBrooksBey]

Don't let the smooth taste fool you it get fish fry greasy yak town born raised

[@taebando5532]

​@@dustinwest9875 the only known rapper you just named is Ddg the rest are local 😂😂

[@DELICIOUSSSROZAYY69]

BABYYY SO PRETTY MY GODDESS❤💗💗❤🥰

[@jakerobinette4703]

Live on Norton street. House has gotten shot up twice this year. Bro down the street got shot in the head over by the dollar store. Dude got shot and stabbed at the intersection right before down town last summer. Iv only lived here two years. Place is trash

[@michaelanthonyvideos]

What’s the deal with your ears?

[@Historylovescompany]

Idk I just woke up one morning and I had ears. Crazy right?!?!

[@rheadreid]

What a shitty question to ask. Have some manners.

[@MarkM-rx2mc]

Update your video with the soon-to-open Pontiac Transportation Museum!

[@Historylovescompany]

Unfortunately that requires a whole new video being made. Once it opens I’d love to do a video on it though. I own a home in the neighborhood and have been patiently awaiting its arrival for a few years.

[@adasanti7312]

The problem is nobody invests in Pontiac. There is not even a decent coffee shop or CVS or a good grocery store. Everybody just worships their cars and because of o foot traffic no businesses want to come here. It is dangerous. I know people tend to disagree but that’s because they sit in their huge cars all the time. If you ever walk around you will see how dangerous it is. First of all, the drivers seem to have never seen pedestrians in their life! They get shocked when they have to stop to let pedestrians cross! And there are many weirdos who just follow women. All they have to do is being in some businesses and let the “city” actually have the criteria of a city.

[@Historylovescompany]

Hmm interesting opinion. Do you live in the city? I do!

[@daveyjenni9265]

I love Pontiac and theirs something about it can't put my finger on.

[@Historylovescompany]

I’ve called Pontiac home for the past 7 years and I wouldn’t change a thing. 🖤

[@deshonwhite7555]

Facts

[@melindaC5021]

I love my home town❤

[@Historylovescompany]

As do I.

[@michaelanthonyvideos]

What about the car insurance rates?

[@Historylovescompany]

I mean my cars insured at a Pontiac address and my rates not bad 🤷‍♂️

[@Todd82TA]

I can't watch you with those ear gauges... all I see are these black discs flapping around. I don't want to be mean, but I think it's important to be honest. I got like 7 seconds in...

[@Historylovescompany]

Yet you chose to waist more time leaving a comment?? 🤷‍♂️

[@Todd82TA]

It's not about wasting time. It's about letting you know that, as a totally random person, this is what I'm thinking when I watch the video. You can take it for whatever value you place on it. I'm not trying to be mean, and I realize there are certain social norms that Millennials are trying to break (like looking normal), but whatever this is, it's too much of a distraction. @@Historylovescompany

[@Theredeyedjedi]

​@@Todd82TAOH pls. Stop the gaslighting psycho

[@Todd82TA]

If you call being offended by truth, gaslighting... then oh well. Grow up.@@Theredeyedjedi

[@Theredeyedjedi]

@@Todd82TA There was no truth in what you said bigot. You need to stay off that white stuff and keep it out of your nose

[@early2exit]

UWM may have brought a bunch of jobs but theyre horrible. Just as bad as amazon. pay is shit. Micromanagement. No training. Toxic positivity. No way to move up. They rather hire outside work. Unequal pay. Ameneties youre unable to use. A bridge you cant walk across without being off the clock. Insanely high turnover rate. Very shady practices. Underwriters talk directly to AEs. BIG NO NO! Not to mention the CEO is a piece of shit. Brought a lot of jobs, but still has "OPEN INTERVIEWS" signs posted all around the campus at any given day of the week.

[@Historylovescompany]

I appreciate your comment. I have never worked for Matt at UWM so I do not have that sort of knowledge about his business practices. This video was not intended to be about UWM but rather the city of Pontiac

[@benjaminwagner8141]

I have a job ad for a job here. Super curious

[@fraternitas5117]

one cool hack is to ignore anything what huge ear piercings says is a great place to live.

[@Historylovescompany]

Well you sound like an incredible human being. Can we be friends?

[@fraternitas5117]

@@Historylovescompany no.

[@ShardyShardWagner24]

Love Pontiac so much better than Flint

[@Historylovescompany]

I most certainly agree. Excited to see what the future has in store.

[@walkinshredding2283]

Im not trying to be rude but how about showing more video of the houses, buildings, and dream cruise and less video of you.

[@Historylovescompany]

As a one-man team and a full-time real estate agent, my time is pretty limited when it comes to shooting extra B-roll. I do my best to include as much as possible, but video editing alone can feel like a full-time job. I appreciate your constructive criticism, though-thanks for understanding.

[@walkinshredding2283]

I grew up in Royal Oak and have driven Woodward Ave. many times. I’ve been in that big brick house on Huron St. across from the old high school. Very cool.

[@Chris_winthers]

There's a park there that's super safe after dark

[@Historylovescompany]

There are plenty of parks throughout metro Detroit that aren’t safe after dark and many of those are not in Pontiac.

[@Chris_winthers]

@@Historylovescompany it's a reference to the song "Rotary park" about the time the guys singing it got mugged there during the day time

[@Historylovescompany]

@@Chris_winthers I had no idea. Who’s that by?

[@Chris_winthers]

@@Historylovescompany Joe hawley, a former member of the band tally hall as well as creator of the sort-of-still-tally-hall-it's-complicated band miracle Musical. Him and zubin Sedghi, who also provides some vocals for the song, got mugged there while filming the music video for the song "good day"

[@jakerobinette4703]

Also the course is for the wealthy and half the time it’s closed. I did all the floors there. They might have one or two events a summer. And it’s thousands and thousands of dollars to keep your car there.

[@Historylovescompany]

I mean it’s definitely not for everyone. Personally I would never pay those prices but that doesn’t mean that what they offer doesn’t align with someone else’s dreams.

[@KoDoe-vv6dd]

Thank you my brother I thought I was gonna watch a video about the real Pontiac the stuff he spoke on is the outskirts of Pontiac the shit to make the city seem appealing when in reality a Pontiac resident ain't never step foot on those places

[@BeridianaMendoza]

Im looking to invest but dont know what areas are "safe"

[@Historylovescompany]

Feel free to reach out 947 414 0378.

[@padillas4357]

In general, I would say the West side, and parts of the North side.

[@jakerobinette4703]

Also Erebus is horrible to the homeless people in the area

[@Historylovescompany]

Did you not just make 4 other comment’s belittling the poor? You could care less about the homeless my guy. In regards to the statement I have no knowledge in either direction of how Erebus, an individually owned and operated company treat the homeless but I’m not sure how that was deemed to be a comment worthy thought? If you’d like to schedule some time on my calendar I can further entertain your opinions. How’s Thursday look for ya? We can grab coffee at the Alley Cat Cafe in downtown Pontiac.

[@amandaford8730]

Nothing more ironic than naming a racially restricted neighborhood after an indigenous tribe (that's not even from Michigan). 😂

[@Historylovescompany]

Racially restricted? I’m sorry but this is false information. There are fair housing laws that keep that from being possible today.

[@jakerobinette4703]

Honestly this video is so funny. Please don’t believe this shit. The only people that live here are the people that are too poor to live anywhere else. Keep in mind we are in one of the richest counties in the United States. Oakland county

[@Historylovescompany]

And the county had abandoned Pontiac until recently… Based on Pontiac’s rising property values and decrease in the # of days on market I’d say there are quite a few individuals who may not be as well off as you. My guess is that a lot of them are much nicer people as well. But again I do appreciate your opinion.

[@KoDoe-vv6dd]

​@@Historylovescompanynaw brother that's not the truth most of us live in apartments homie Pontiac residents can't afford to buy houses 😂😂😂 we can barely rent them the housing commission buying those houses and making it seem like they auctioning them off when reality they giving them to employees of the housing commission lol

[@KoDoe-vv6dd]

​@@HistorylovescompanyI appreciate your video and shedding some positive light on Pontiac but my brother you hid about 80% of the truth about Pontiac it's mostly apartments and projects up here yet you made it seem like they don't even exist

[@desijrichert]

Turn the music down or the dialog up, DUH!

[@charlieschroder1579]

Good content! You can tell you were raised by a single mother!

[@Historylovescompany]

Interesting comment. Why do you say that?

[@charlieschroder1579]

Plus you have a feminine name which seems your mom wan t ed a girl!

[@charlieschroder1579]

Feminine is in eh!