This Iowa Community Was Destroyed. Here's What Happened Next

This is a story about how Iowans came together in a crisis.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa everyone. Named because it’s on a river. I think every big city in Iowa is along some river. Across the river is the famous Quaker Oats factory. You know, where they make cereal?
This is the Cereal capital of the world, everyone. And this right here is the largest cereal plant on earth. It’s just about the tallest building in all of Cedar Rapids. From blocks away, you can smell all the cereal being made inside.
They’ve been making cereal here since the late 1800s, and this factory has been a big part of the economy here.
There are factories all over Cedar Rapids. Factory jobs have always been what Cedar Rapids has been about. They’re trying to bring in different types of companies to diversify things, but for a lot of the people here, factory jobs are all there is. It’s a statewide issue.
Why are we in Cedar Rapids anyways? Because it’s one of the best places to live in the country. At least, according to a bunch of random websites with various rankings.
#iowa #moving
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[@NickJohnson]

Here's the entire Midwest road trip playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yreUhBrJwFhC9LeCYh1TvBL

[@captainflannel8558]

when they rebuild or gengerfy a area they never build afforable house it always high dollar apts n condos that hardly anyone n the city can afford AFFORDABLE HOUSE NEEDS REBUILT ENOUGH 600K CONDOS N CITIES THAT THE AVERAGE INCOME IS 40K

[@lindamon5101]

Please stop. Stay in Ca.

[@lindamon5101]

Seriously the midwest is not a good place for ca bcz all they do is either whine or brag about ca. Stay there and enjoy what u have where ur at. If u have family or st a y with them. Do not move to the midwest añd talk about ca incessantly. It doesnt work like that here. We dont want u here. No offense. Just stay home homey. Exploiting peoples privacy is repulsive.

[@Velociberry]

It's like my favorite TV Show

[@lindamon5101]

@@Velociberry u poor thing

[@bbbae5968]

I was born and raised in Iowa. I left in junior high and traveled the world (through the military). Now I"m back. It's an awesome place to live. Yes the winters are cold. The other seasons, beautiful. You can always find things to do so no problem having things to do. Life is what you make it. Wherever you live.

[@lindamon5101]

TMI TMI TMI!!!

[@user-fiF5ei8tyah]

@Muzik Michael ha ha.. Slim just left town. Do you think it's bad? Cedar Rapids or Iowa afterall?

[@joegardens1973]

Born in Iowa City now live in Burlington... We are smack dab in the middle of the country...

[@murlthomas2243]

Born in Des Moines, and I have family all over Iowa. I miss it every day.

[@loriwyoming835]

@@joegardens1973 Born in Burlington and now live in Wyoming. Thinking about moving back to Iowa for retirement.

[@Fitz3470]

Nick, as a Cedar Rapids resident, been here since 86. I used to live in a city called Quincy,Illinois and West Orange,NJ before that. Cedar Rapids is a great city and very accepting and no stress to live in. I really want thank you for al your videos, you always bring great common sense in your videos ! :)

[@jeannieneuser5316]

Yes, after NJ & Quincy, IL... The lesser points of CR don't look so bad. 🤣 I can say that, as a Cedar Rapidian myself. I've lived here for most of my adult life. It's a safe, easy place to live. Unlike my foray into other non-Iowa places. 🤣🤣

[@timothykeith1367]

I was born in Quincy, we left in 1977 for Texas. It is slower pace of life with low cost. We had small acreage which I will always miss because land is too expensive in 2022. If you're an unskilled worker in a town like Quincy you need to be a "go getter", have an entrepreneur work ethic, or prepare for a medical career or maybe one of local engineering jobs. Otherwise, many of the jobs don't pay so well, but the median household income there is about the same as in my big Texas city, and an apartment here might cost $1,300+ a month. Some of the remodeled "starter" homes on my once rural street have sold for $600,000. Not everybody in the big town is living well. Lots of the shiny stuff in the big town is actually debt. Quincy is 100 feet above the river level, so only parks might flood, pretty much the entire riverfront is planned to be developer for a park - but the tax payers really can't afford to do much in any given year. If you earn a good income in Quincy, you can live very well - housing is 60 percent of the national average. It is the big town in western central Illinois. If Quincy were in Texas, there would probably be a million people living there. There are no classic river towns in Texas. Future water costs will be a big issue in Texas. Quincy is debating increasing its $5 a month water rate, which would be a joke in Texas. Now, that I've earned money elsewhere, Quincy looks better all the time,

[@robinsouth8555]

Glad you got out of Illinois so did I

[@mikepublic111]

"So long New York. Howdy East Orange." -- Bob Dylan

[@stuartriley]

Thanks for the video Nick! My daughter was born here and I worked for a while before the great flood. Quaker Oats factory smell made my wife's pregnancy and delivery a bit nauseating, but we endured. Cedar Rapids was close enough to Des Moines and Iowa City, and Dubuque which are called "Big Cities" by most Iowans.

[@jeannieneuser5316]

Cedar Rapids is one of the "big cities", too! And twice the size of Dubuque, lol. I think Dubuque & Waterloo are similar in size, but... I don't think anyone talks about Waterloo anymore. "Nothing to see here, folks."

[@stephkotouc8344]

That smell was always bad. Reminded me of urine😂.

[@crumbopulis]

@@jeannieneuser5316 we don’t talk about Waterloo, I’m neighbors (lived here my whole life) with them and Jesus Christ sometimes it feels like Waterloo is trying to kill themselves

[@robind6300]

If you live in the very north of CR or Marion or Hiawatha you don't really smell Quaker

[@Jellybeansatdusk]

@@crumbopulis 😂😂😂 ok but why is that so accurate

[@allijean375]

The Cedar begins somewhere in MINNESOTA, not Iowa. It runs thru Austin, MN and near Osage, IA, thru Charles City and so on.

[@Shredmasterjb1983]

Indeed, and several other rivers flow into the cedar before it flows into the Iowa that flows into the mississippi.

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

How can Nick, the expert, make such a mistake?

[@HeatherSterlingHAIR]

I lucked out and ended up moving to Cedar Rapids in 2018 completely unexpected. Being from the east coast, I honestly knew nothing about the Midwest or Iowa let alone towns/cities in the state. I couldn’t be happier living anywhere else in this country (and I have lived in 6 different states) and plan on staying out here until I retire, lol (which isn’t anytime soon). The people are the kindest and most respectful with ACTUAL manners, the cost of living is unheard of for a decent sized city like CR anywhere else in the country. The crime rate (even though Iowans complain it’s getting worse) is very VERY low and being born and raised in Baltimore I can definitely appreciate this. The education & school system (although Iowans will disagree) is fantastic and one of the highest in the country!! My son has thrived in the school district and has been given more opportunities than he ever had in the central Florida region where he was in previously. Even the friends he’s made out here are a whole different breed and their parents too, lol!!! There’s so many wonderful things about CR and Iowa , it’s worth the extreme weather conditions (for me at least) 👍🏻

[@NickJohnson]

Good Heather

[@user-fiF5ei8tyah]

Reading your comment made me feel good. You seem contend and happy. How old is your boi? You said you were from Baltimore. Is it that bad? Stay happy

[@carterlantermans1179]

Lol funny to see ur comment here whats up!! 😂😂

[@HeatherSterlingHAIR]

@@carterlantermans1179 you’re stalking me!! 😂 you know I can’t be quiet and have too much to say 😉

[@auntmary6544]

Thank you Heather for this! We’re very proud of Cedar Rapids and it’s surrounding areas. And very proud of it’s people helping each other out, when they need it. For example The Derecho(land hurricane) which hit the summer after 2020 Covid .

[@chadhazen7466]

The cereals you mentioned are not made by Quaker. They are made across town at General Mills.

[@doneown503]

When I scratched under my nutsack this AM laying in bed , my finger came back stinky! , not much water left here , to shower with , greetings from SW America

[@ChrisJohnson-il4ed]

Cap'n Crunch IS made at Quaker; Honey Nut Cheerios ARE made across town at General Mills, but no Lucky Charms from the GM Cedar Rapids plant.

[@mikepublic111]

I could tell which way the wind was blowing in Cedar Rapids because we got a different smell from each direction.

[@valerieanne223]

Well they must grow healthy cereal somewhere! "Thrilling" has a down side. What about dry skis and zip wires. Bars or pubs are meeting places. Was the homeless guy traumatised by war? Scripture says give a stranger 2 meals. Churches.? Thankfulness the way to live. Thanks interesting from UK

[@jimrossi7708]

Nice job, when I lived in Monroe, Maine people treated me like I came from a hugh place in Newark, NJ, I ran trailers of print paper from Bangor to Iowa and then pick up corn syrup to bring back to Boston ! All I saw was corn 🌽 for miles !!

[@julieorr9382]

Nick, I love how you are showing so much of Iowa. I was born in CR and went to school in Marion thru 4th grade. I still love going back there. My cousins and I stay close. Saw Amana in August. We stayed at the peaceful Amana RV Park. Nice spot, lovely country. Thanks! Iowa has an indescribable charm.

[@chrisduitsman2918]

I moved from Illinois 20 years ago, and haven't looked back. I like living in CR , it's so much nicer here. The people that live here are very nice and helpful. The schools are awesome, and the cheap cost of living helps as well. It's a nice place to live.

[@robind6300]

I moved here from Illinois in the 1990s.

[@timhuwaldt3213]

As a Cedar Rapidian, this place is pretty great. Not a perfect place, but your video doesn't scratch the surface of what CR has to offer.

[@TheBandit7613]

It has no mountains, no ocean... no off-road scene (Jeep, dirt bike, SxS) No sports, really nothing except sit around and kill time till you die. Ultra-slow speed limits, cold azzed winters, humid summer... What am I missing?

[@MrRossharrell]

speaking as a recovering alcoholic- I have to say that everyone including the drug addicts want to keep to themselves and avoid bringing down their families and communities with them, but it never works that way in the real world. When someone is addicted it brings the whole community down.

[@fernandoacosta7423]

Unfortunately This is the hard truth

[@living4christ]

I was an alcoholic to, I became a christian and things changed, I live for Christ now. Im done with it, don't even want to touch it anymore.

[@knighttuttruptuttrup8518]

@@living4christ keep up the good work, bless you

[@living4christ]

@@knighttuttruptuttrup8518 Thanks, God bless you also.

[@foreignparticle1320]

I know we don't want to blame crime on "people who aren't from here" - and I certainly don't suggest that's necessarily the case. But what I do believe is that cities with wide spectrums of diversity tend to be the worst for crime and negative social dynamics. This would be a great thing to investigate - to either confirm or dispel. Or whether it's more owing to economic disparity. Or a combination. For me, the idea of a vanilla, basic, 'sort of blah' city with no homeless encampments, fecal matter, urine trails, needles and garbage everywhere is a most tantalizing proposition.

[@NickJohnson]

It's heaven

[@SgtJoeSmith]

ill say it. the crime is where the blacks are

[@daisyy99]

I love my home state. I lived in Marshalltown, one city of beautiful parks and excellent schools. People went to church, skating, jr college, watched high school sports.

[@peterhamlinhamlin8908]

NO TRAFFIC NO. PEOPLE VANILLA TOWN

[@daisyy99]

Kind people, inclusive, family focused. Hardworking. Religious, helpful to neighbors. They liked to travel and take road trips. Maybe into Chicago for sports and museums. You would have been included in the neighbors 4th of July bbq.

[@marywegrzyn506]

Hey Nick !!! It's so good to see ya !!!!! Thx for posting this!!! Please stay safe and healthy in your travels n at home as well !!!!

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Mary

[@toshabarnes2593]

I love your videos 💕 can't wait till you go through Davenport!!! I love my home, most beautiful place in the entire country to live!!! Yes, we see the rest of the country and are glad it hasn't touched us for the most patt

[@YenvyYu]

Leaving Chicago, with kids, CR has been great to us!!🙋🏾‍♀️

[@444jeremiah]

I drove by Cedar Rapids on my cross country trip in 2018 and thought that it was one of the prettiest cities I had seen. It seemed welcoming and I liked the Cedar river and downtown view.

[@peggypasson8794]

I loved the courthouse on the river I think it's still there .

[@jennteal5265]

We moved to CR in 2015 and I absolutely loved it. Our offer was accepted on a new home in a rural area 2 days before the derecho in 2020. We hadn't even put our home up for sale yet and it's like the world ended. We didn't have power for 4 weeks or internet for 6. You mentioned the flood, but the derecho took out more than 70% of our tree canopy and you can really see it in these neighborhood drives. So much sunshine. All those areas used to be all tree-covered. EDIT: CR has attracted a lot of people from Chicago over the years. A big reason is because you can get on Medicaid much easier and more quickly in Iowa vs. Illinois. Most of our crime comes along with it. I've had that rumor about signs in Southside Chicago about Waterloo and Davenport, IA as well. Who knows if it's true.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@Eisman57]

I was born and raised in Cedar Rapids and I spent most of my 65-years there. It was fun watching Nick meander through my old SW side neighborhood. Aside from Cedar Rapids I've lived in Iowa City, Kansas City, and Los Angeles. I'm currently retired and living in Phoenix, AZ. In comparison to every city I've resided C.R. is an absolutely wonderful place to live. I have fond memories of summers playing coed softball and biking the trails that dissect the town. There's plenty of parks, restaurants, and popular bars/taverns. The schools are good and the city is safe. I loved riding my bike on summer nights through areas Nick called "the bad side" of C.R. At no time was I the least bit frightened living there. I hate Iowa's blustery winters or I'd happily live out my days there. Go Hawkeyes!!!

[@manueltapia1859]

Travis is a well aware of the situation of his hometown and a nice person with real goals. Too bad that the outside publicity atracts bad people to this town.

[@Dna_Geckos]

Should of mentioned the derecho that leveled the whole city it literally took out over half the trees in the area

[@marksauck8481]

I lived most of my life, over 40 years, in and near Chicago. I lived a couple years in Denver. Also a year near Seattle. Every town and city in the Midwest is small to me. But, I’d much rather live in a small city then any of those three and I live in one now that has just over 200,000 people. Actually I live in a suburb that has 11,000 people. But it’s a thriving area and has a great economy so I like it so much more.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@delawrencecharlesblue2014]

Worked very hard as Professional over the road Team Truck Driver/Trainer (driving 5,000+ miles per week ) based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa during 2006-07 ( one year ) the pay 💰 and working conditions was unfortunately terrible. Loved❤the people of Iowa. Lots of very friendly people. You should of visited Iowa 80 one of the largest truck 🛻 stops in America 🇺🇸. Iowa has the most millionaires per capital in USA 🇺🇸. Looking for a Funeral home business for sale in Iowa. I am now a Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer went back to school for retraining in 2009. Thanks 🙏 for your wonderful content.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Charles

[@larkatmic]

Have you gone to Decorah Iowa Yet? Its amazing!

[@NickJohnson]

No 😢

[@timothykeith1367]

Decorah is a pretty town. Its the home of Seed Savers - collection of more than 20,000 heirloom varieties of seeds. A fun Norwegian Museum, a Laura Ingells "Little House" north of town at Burr Oak. There is trout fishing . Charming town

[@larkatmic]

@@timothykeith1367 One day I’m gonna visit. I’ve heard so many great things about it. Thanks

[@AC44CWCTE5695]

The homeless man you seen us actually a great person I see him everyday after work sometimes I give him food and money the mcdonalds acrossed from the second Casey's also give him free food and coffee too

[@NickJohnson]

He gets around! 🛒 ⛺️ 🍺

[@M.J.Lyman1776]

Wrong........

[@PONCEJE]

Thank you for visit, Cedar Rapids. It is a beautiful place to raise kids.

[@cherylduet672]

What I have seen on uour road trip yo cedar city is amazing g. Even the middle class neighborhood is appealing to me. I'm originally from Chicago and have lived in Phoenix since 1986 and I would take cedar city over this any day. Thank you for showing the other side of places.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Cheryl

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@cajunjamis9001]

Nick, will you show us where the "Winnebagos" are built? Enjoyed CR, take care! Cajun

[@martykroenecke4273]

They were built in Forest City Iowa. But I heard they are moving a lot south.

[@nancybode6159]

Oh my gosh, Cedar Rapids! I lived in the CR Metro area from 1987 to 2021. I recognized all of those places. I've walked and driven on those streets. I worked in the Prairie Creek Power Plant (8 minutes in) and, if you know where to look during the aerial view at 10 minutes in, you could see the water tower of Atkins, Iowa, where we lived for 24 years before we moved to South Dakota. Rockwell-Collins (actually, Collins Aerospace now) has been my husband's employer for over 36 years. The Flood of '08 affected the poorest areas of town, and people relocated to the Cedar Hills neighborhood (which is arguably worse than Wellington Heights now). Both of my daughters were born in Cedar Rapids. I miss Iowa so much! We moved to South Dakota to be closer to my husband's family, but Iowa will always be home. Thanks for the beautiful walk down memory lane, Nick! P.S. Ashton Kutcher's first job was at the General Mills plant along Highway 30. He said he spent his time sweeping up Cheerios. 😃 I don't think the guy you were talking to really knows that much about Cedar Rapids. Collins Aerospace is owned by Raytheon, and that is NOT a small company! People do work hard there. When the meat packing plants and McLeod went away in the 1980's Cedar Rapids still had Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland, Quaker Oats, General Mills, Alliant Energy and Rockwell Collins. They added International Paper in the 1990's (I think) and Kirkwood Community College has grown so much that they've expanded their campus north of Highway 30. CRST is a major trucking firm that's located in Cedar Rapids. The federal government built a new facility for themselves on the southwest edge of downtown, within the last 10 years.

[@LiamMcBride]

Also got the federal court house on 8th Avenue as well

[@nancybode6159]

@@LiamMcBride We're talking about the same building except I'm approaching it from 1st Street SE.

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

You sure about Aston Kucher? He worked for me at the Hy Vee in Coralville as a high schooler.

[@nancybode6159]

@@jonkrispeterson6678 I heard him say in an interview that his first job was sweeping up Cheerios at General Mills. I was so surprised by that statement that I never forgot it.

[@jonkrispeterson6678]

@@nancybode6159 ok, I had never heard that. I do remember when he was on Leno with Kurt Warner, because they both worked at Hy Vee once. So they played catch on the show. He did work for me at the Coralville Hy Vee in the deli.

[@kaybee5008]

Wow! I never knew Quaker Oats was there or about the flooding! I learn so much watching your videos Nick!

[@ogram46]

Yay! I grew up near there.

[@robind6300]

Another thing I love about Cedar Rapids IA is the large open air street downtown farmers market in summer. There are lots of smaller farmers markets too There are always festivals and fairs going on too. Sweet corn festival, Houbie Days, 4th of July, Carnival in lindale mall parking lot and so much more. Marion IA has a central park where kids can go into an old train car and meet Santa if they didn't see him at the mall. It's all family fun. Those looking for live entertainment can listen to the municipal band at parks. The schedule is posted every year. There are plays at a couple theaters and there are always live bands or karaoke at the majority of bars.

[@trebors386]

You should see how many people from Iowa and all of the Midwest moved to Colorado, they invaded the state way before California did

[@PlayThroughTheGame]

I'm french from Saguenay/Qc/Canada. I like to see what going on through your videos in United States, I have always feel more american over canadian. I grow up with your culture/french way with your music/sports/movies. We don't have team from Nfl/Nba/Mlb but I watch Nhl and some games from Nfl too. I like to see what is like places I never see like Iowa even if there is nothing to see. Just to feel the place of what they do and what kind of industries/market there is and on. We don't visit our own country enough.

[@douglastarvestad186]

I have lived in CR for over 20 years. It is a great place to live and raise a family. It is very safe and the schools are good. The gun violence always has a Chicago element, the shooter either has a Chicago address or that is where they are found. It is quiet and if you want excitement there is an airport to take you there and you can come home to quiet.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@glennoconnor2980]

Nick was in St Joe Mo either earlier or later in his Midwest series. It had a large Quaker Oats plant. QO shut it down but another enterprise took over that facility. BTW, Lucky Charms is a General Mills product.

[@justinopperman4204]

The south side of Chicago is a true thing. There is a clear route along interstate 80 through iowa where you will find a ton of people from there and it isn't good. Has effected Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Ames and through to Omaha. Also just because your neighborhood isn't the murder capital of the U.S. doesn't mean things are good and we are out of touch. Trust me, we pay attention.

[@homelesshannah50]

So is Cedar Rapids a bad place now? I was thinking about moving there but it sounds like the place is going downhill and becoming ghetto

[@justinopperman4204]

No it is definitely not bad. Was actually looking at moving back there myself. Most of the city is nice, just has a few areas that are sketchy and to avoid at night.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@philbeau]

Is it really nessecary to repeat your little story 45 times?

[@YenvyYu]

Im from Chicago I haven't seen any promotions about CR.. However, I don't go back often..

[@A_Legal_Immigrant_1776]

PLEASE GO TO NORTH DAKOTA!!!

[@pablopicaro7649]

too cold, and CR is Disney Land compared to ND

[@jcmhanel1]

Has anyone mentioned that quaker oats does not make honey nut Cheerios. General Mills does.

[@Hypercube9]

Those bike lanes looked AMAZING! Every other city they're like an after thought. Or they had to sacrifice an entire lane of traffic to jam them in. CR has sidewalks, bike lanes, curb space, street parking, plenty of road space, and then more street parking, curbs, bike lanes, and sidewalks on the other side! That's honestly impressive. That's on par with either Rochester or Buffalo, NY where they shut down their main street to car traffic and just filled the street with planter boxes and tables and there's a trolley that comes through every so often and people can just hop on as it goes by for free. Where I live, the bars and restaurants all have "outside dining" areas that block the entire sidewalk and force people to walk in the gutter! Also, what are we supposed to learn from that 3:44 pm clip? What day was that? Was this summer? If that was a weekday, most people were still at work inside their building. In my city there's not many more people than that out at that time either. Rush hour's about to start, so everyone's headed home to avoid it! And would it be better if that street was packed at that time of day? A nice bustling nightlife is great, but who wants a bustling 3:44pm life? Since when is that a thing? I can show you multiple intersections in downtown Detroit with brand new ADA compliant curbs with the bumps for blind people that literally end after 10 feet! There's no sidewalk beyond that nor for that matter are there any houses, and yet we have braille curbs at intersections just in case any BLIND people decide to take a leisurely stroll around downtown Detroit! Also, we may have 4 times the population, but also double the area! And we still have vacant streets like that even DURING the "dinner rush"! The streets of New York for example are packed precisely BECAUSE people have to walk really far to get to their car or to the nearest subway! If NYC had better parking, people could park right next to a store, shop and then get back in their car and go home! The sidewalks would be empty! More traffic is NOT a good thing! In fact, it's evidence your city is poorly designed!

[@LiamMcBride]

The Bike lane situation in CR is complicated, downtown is great and theyve got a trail that extends north south by I-380 but it could definitely be improved, extending it east to west as well

[@ricelaker]

Cedar River starts in Dodge County, Minnesota

[@tombaker674]

Cedar River starts near Blooming Prarie MN, actually.

[@saltychewbacca7817]

I want your content all the time and I'm just now stumbling across cedar rapids one I was born and raised here and I still live here I grew up by Ellis Park I remember the flood of 2008 we had 2 inches of ice right before spring as well with all the snow and then the rain it was scary how fast the water came up I was at my grandparents house at the time which is by Ellis Park I remember the national guard coming to the door and tell us we have to leave now my grandparents house is a two-story house in the waters reached the second floor it was very scary time I will never forget it was like yesterday and that's cool you show Quaker oats both of my grandparents my uncles all worked there and retired from there

[@charleshoang566]

This is a good place to make Stephen King movies, people are just like the weather.

[@xxa455xx]

The guy you interviewed here is the coolest person you've had on your show for sure.

[@rosalindalay4499]

I disagree n he sticks out like a sore 👎 thumb

[@xxa455xx]

@@rosalindalay4499 so much for Iowa nice

[@rosalindalay4499]

@@xxa455xx yeah for them. Not Iowan.. wouldn't want to be..let's be honest.. nothing was enthusiastic except from Nick...that area is not the best..there a really cool lake up north further...that a lot of folks go to..it's pretty nice looking too.. cedar rapids. Or as one person said on here. Crapids. Lol..nah..roads are horrible.. dangerous.. some places are hoody..idk..it could be much better..that guy interviewed seemed uninterested...not all of Iowa is like that...just seems a Lil spooky around there..the humidity in the summer n mosquito s are awful..it seems boring..n not friendly there..my opinion..

[@lljl5310]

@@rosalindalay4499 lol...agree!

[@randywilliams4325]

Moved there from California . Starting 2023 there is no income tax on pension income . Could not afford to retire in California .

[@danadilks4322]

they guy in this interview is brilliant! what he said about living in other states and his own is exactly correct.

[@darylbrown4765]

LETS GO,CEDAR RAPIDS FINALLY GETS RECOGNIZED.

[@darylbrown4765]

Since When I Was Born In Chicago. It Was A Pretty Dangerous City And We Had To Move After 3 Yrs Of Living There. I Stayed At Cedar Rapids With My Family For 10 Yrs Before My Mom Moved Us To Marion Which Is Connected To Cedar Rapids And Hiawatha. I'm Just Happy He Is Near Me.

[@richardf7223]

I used to work in the Alliant Energy building. I moved to Iowa from Scotland.

[@wandaolinyk195]

First, I do enjoy your videos. Second, I am really glad you and Travis kind of made fun of Cedar Rapids and that it isn't a good city; and why would anyone want to live here? By sharing that perspective, then people won't relocate here! lol Seriously, there is benefit to some growth, and I am hopeful we have a mayor that will work on areas of the city, and bring back good city planning to make CR a more vibrant Midwest community. Cedar Rapids is big enough that those of us that reside here shouldn't have to drive to Coralville/Iowa City to do some of our shopping and entertainment. We need a reason for Cedar Rapids to become a destination for the surrounding communities.... and a casino here just isn't the total answer. I grew up here, lived in Denver and Los Angeles for my adult life, and now I am back to care for parents. I am happy to be here for "Iowa Nice", the Fall and the Spring, and the way of life.

[@NickJohnson]

We didn't make fun of it

[@theopsquad3162]

I’ve lived in Solon 5miles south of Cedar Rapids it’s not bad at all

[@Griet82]

Im pretty sure the guy you were driving behind in czech village was homeless too. The one who had all his belongings and cans in his bike. Its funny because you were talking about not seeing any homeless. I live in cedar rapids and there is a little homeless camp along the train tracks leaving quaker on the nw side of town. The issues arent as visable but i can guarantee they exist here too. I do think iowas have it good in terms of safety and affordability but just as the interviewee said, no one wants to live here. The benefits dont outweigh the losses for most people. There is a reason everyone from my friend group in high school left for bigger cities in other states.

[@brittanyward1290]

I'm honestly surprised at how many comments talk about CR in a positive light. My extended family all live there, I'm about an hour away, so we grew up going to CR a lot. It obviously got a lot worse after the flood, but, the city has always been so depressing and empty feeling. I'd never live there.

[@ppicaso1458]

Well, seems I'm off to Iowa as my future home. Need to leave Illinois. Might miss major events from Chicago or Milwaukee , but the cost living in Illinois isn't worth it. Got family in Des Moines, so won't feel alone. Made me feel so welcomed. It's no Chicago, but that's great. Give me a industrial job, Anytime Fitness, few pubs I'm set. By the way I'm waiting.

[@timothykeith1367]

Downstate housing can be 50 percent lower than Chicago. CR is actually a pretty nice place

[@tmusa2002]

The little Illinois towns on the western border are nice, same Iowa vibe. Lived in one for 9 years. Check out Rapids City, Cordova, Albany, Fulton. Some gorgeous Mississippi River views and low key docks for boating. I love River towns (out of the flood plane which isn’t hard to find).

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@jeffsmith846]

I worked for a while in South Chicago and I can guarantee that whatever they can do to empty that hell hole, they will.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@hooponoponogirlz]

Midwest is behind the rest in growth, crime and poverty challenges but is gaining due to more growth and more coming here from other states for affordability and safety. But that is going to all change. Just watch.

[@boblister665]

So the biggest crime is you not coming to a stop at any stop signs

[@NickJohnson]

Why stop bob

[@PK-bh1ww]

5th generation Iowan here. Peaceful is the operative word. Even with what crime we do have , I still feel safer than I would in Ohio, California, Florida and many other states. I can ride around the country side all by myself and know it's doubtful I will be attacked. It's true Section8 and drugs have bought outsiders here to create a mini Chicago and Detroit in a few areas. Drugs are rampant in small towns. Mainly because there is not much police service in small towns.. They've moved into the N part of Iowa too and S Minnesota. One thing great about Iowa is neighbor helps neighbor. Especially in a crisis. They also watch over each other. Not in a snoopy way but on a protective way. Yes Iowans do know they have it better than the other crime ridden areas of America. Most of them were born and raised here. I could go on but you covered a lot of what Iowa is. But just so you know Ranch dressing is the official dressing of Iowa. :-)

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@SlotCarCast]

I moved here 20 years ago from Chicago and then western IL. I love it here. Did anyone take you around, I feel like you missed a lot places of interest in town.

[@gerrieetter9442]

We moved from Colorado to Iowa by choice. Our decision was based on the weather. We loved all the green in the summer with God doing the irrigating. We must visit family we left behind in Colorado but very happy to get back home to Iowa. We became Ionians 52 years ago.

[@dwaynejones1555]

Are the smells from the cereal plants pleasant?

[@NickJohnson]

Dwayne yes for sure! 🤤

[@brianmatthews4149]

Better then the pulp mills in Oregon

[@dwaynejones1555]

@@brianmatthews4149 I visited someone near a paper mill & it gave me headaches. I would never live near 1.

[@pablopicaro7649]

There are also Soybean processing factories, weird unique smell. Breweries around too - don't really smell good or bad.

[@jamescbliss2225]

Please do winterset iowa

[@dave3657]

I think Casey’s hires the homeless guy for part of the atmosphere. 🙂

[@RPierce84]

Awesome video, but Quaker Oats doesnt make cheerios or lucky charms. Just Cap'n Crunch products.

[@michaelshort7472]

It's interesting to speculate what might have been. Quaker Oats came to the City Council in Fort Dodge around 1900, wanting to locate there. The City would not give them what they wanted (tax abatements? utilities?) and so went to Cedar Rapids instead. Both communities would be quite different today.

[@peterdevries3651]

What's the rent like there? I live in a state where the rent is the highest in the country lol

[@conservativehippie9736]

Cheap...guarantee you can get a nice safe apt or home for $500-600

[@linehandibew6205]

@@conservativehippie9736 and make crappy money

[@conservativehippie9736]

@@linehandibew6205 probably unfortunately...you can always work from home online jobs. MANY good ones out there

[@wandahall4435]

Nick and Mappy Love 💘❤ 💕♥ 💗 💖

[@loro3849]

I've lived in CR since 79. The one thing since the flood that has bothered me is most of the housing is now apartments. Hundreds of units. No play areas for kids. That worries me. My son lives in Chicago. Yikes.

[@overcome5193]

Lived in iowa hates every minute of it

[@sidali2590]

Hope things get better

[@cubpak89]

I've seen the billboards In Illinois, same as South Dakota promoting itself here in Iowa. Other states will pay for signs ad adverts to bring people in and out. I travel alot so yeah

[@shayj1171]

I have been to Chicago many times and yes they have a billboard up that says comes to Cedar Rapids for a better living it’s nuts

[@NickJohnson]

Why there though?

[@shayj1171]

I’m not really sure why the sign is there always wonder that I don’t know if it’s because it’s just four hours away or what but I heard it had something to do with the section 8 housing

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@heather957]

Doin' time for five years in the Midwest LOL! I felt that.

[@NickJohnson]

Hey it wasn't the worst five years I spent

[@MrKraeg]

I have lived in Chicago (and all over IL), Ft Lauderdale, Missouri, L.A. and now Bettendorf IA. As a parent the schools aren't quite as good as where I lived in Chi, but the cost of living can't be beat. I have worked in tech from home for 14 years, and now that CO VID taught many companies that many jobs can be done from home I think areas like this with at minimum good internet can start to grow.

[@pablopicaro7649]

Chicago transplanted into Iowa. When i was in grade school some kid came in from Chicago. within a week he was throwing chairs through the windows, assaulting teachers, dealing drugs, and cussed like a sailor. The Chi Town Hoodlum lasted a week at that Iowa School.

[@mikepublic111]

I lived in Cedar Rapids in the 1970s. I was in my 20s. It was a good place to be while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. Once I figured it out, I realized that Cedar Rapids was not where I wanted to be, so I moved to the West Coast. Things I don't miss about Iowa: cold winters, hot humid summers, wind, conservative politics. I don't recognize much in your video. CR has changed a lot since I lived there. For the better, it looks like. We tried to get better cycling infrastructure, but the ancient men on the city council just thought we were nuisances.

[@midwestmind691]

In 2008 when that flood hit, my mom lived east of the river and worked west of the river. Her drive to work went from 20 minutes to almost 3 hours to find a bridge that was opened to traffic. Years after the flood CR still had neighborhoods that were trashed.

[@sidneyvandykeii3169]

One of the BEST looking "Bad Side of Town" I have EVER seen. Maybe thats where I will retire.

[@NickJohnson]

You should Sidney

[@timtimini7641]

It's been cleaned up, it used to be a major dump. Weirdos all up Ellis and NW, the bad side of 19thSt SE, Ghetto Hyvee tweekers...

[@pennytill5183]

My home town ( where I grew up) area were badly flooded because it was just south of where the Cedar and Iowa rivers join and both rivers crested at same time. Actually made national news.

[@severalcrafts1946]

Nooooo. How do we get that billboard taken down? ASAP.

[@stephkotouc8344]

I grew up spending time with family in one town over and then visiting Cedar Rapids (in the 80’s-early 90’s). It was a lovely place to be. I recently came back and love the improvements in CR. It is vanilla, but that’s the charm. Slow down and talk to your neighbors. Good Iowa people. :)

[@LuckyGuu]

9:12 Mappy, is that your DONK in the driveway?

[@neilbruce123]

tHAT FLAT LAND SCREAMS TORNADO ZONE!

[@brianmatthews4149]

Ya baby.

[@pablopicaro7649]

At lest you can see them coming

[@mfitzgerald130]

You and I should chow down some oatmeal Nick, maybe leave Mappy at home though 😄

[@bobscaduto3070]

You do a rolling stop at EVERY stop sign

[@NickJohnson]

so

[@douglasthompson9482]

I have been through Cedar Rapids several times....I love the Midwest. America the beautiful. Society is the problem not the city....

[@TerryAnnOnline]

The "bad" part of town really didn't look that bad.

[@frogeater9485]

As a Cedar Rapids citizen reading some of these comments I have no idea what they are talking about, yes this place is safe and very affordable to live in but activity wise and things to do it’s very lackluster there are very little things to do here especially if you’re under 21.

[@tammyerickson2146]

I love Iowa!!

[@egpmh2891]

looks like a nice and cozy town

[@reneek7721]

Iowa needs to keep all the other states out, I know a few people from Illinois and Indiana and they don't fit. Iowa is a totally different planet from any other place I've ever been. I've lived in 13 States. Iowa MOOOOOVES at a slower pace.

[@Islandboy1900]

Would love to visit these small towns/cities….just anywhere outside of CA. I think I’ve seen many flavors of CA but not enough of other states. It’s beneficial to gain perspectives of how other towns/cities function in relation to where you’re from. It removes bias and ignorance in our thinking….

[@aribasmajian18]

That town Keokuk you showed looked like it was in bad shape but borded up buildings aren't uncommon around the USA but maybe Keokuk needs it's own video.

[@NickJohnson]

Oh it's coming...

[@gottogoalltheway]

I have a lot of family that live in Keokuk Iowa The town is dangerous, 3/4 of the people that live there all the way through to the authorities. Even some of the very few people who seem good there are pretty shady No joke

[@auxghzgorzi2069]

I grew up in CR and do security work there. The crime IS pretty bad. Although the city govt doesn't want to admit it, CR has a gang problem. There are lots of drug addicts and drunks here too, mainly in the SE on 1st Ave, around Oakland Rd on the NE side and parts of the SW side. Other than that, an ok town.

[@ericksantana2772]

Iowa has been purchasing billboards to advertise their state since the 1980’s.

[@markpickering4873]

Iowa also made a deal about 10 or so years ago with Illinois to clean out the southside hoods. Iowa needed money for cleaning our roads one year and Illinois had money for us but told us we had to help them clear out their ghettos. So within a year of the deal a whole bunch of Iowa got overwhelmed with thugs. I called it the "Salt for Thugs" deal. Don't get me wrong though I have met quite a few transplants that are good people. But unfortunately if one out of ten is bad that will absolutely affect crime stats. Basically the big city people came to small town Iowa but did not leave big city ways behind. But do not kid yourself I know kids I grew up with who enjoy going to jail and prison often.

[@NickJohnson]

Who told you about the salt for thugs deal mark?

[@todddoetken2594]

The first "Casey's General Store" opened in Des Moines, Iowa.

[@rosemaryyoung975]

Good Morning Nick 💜

[@barbaratreadway3993]

Cedar rapids is a shit hole now. I am so glad I moved out of there.

[@rosalindalay4499]

This area of Iowa is boring all the way up to MN..the roads are horrible..the weather. N the drivers.. 😫