This Is What Small Town Virginia Is Like

Are small towns like this the LAST places in the country that are affordable and safe?
The first tiny town I that randomly came up is here, Little Emporia, Virginia. Population 5,442. I didn’t know anything about the place, and as I found out, I think I picked the WRONG place to start this experiment of mine. But I learned a lot along the way, and I think you will too.
But no matter what small town you pick, there’s gonna be some good things in all of them. I mean you’re not gonna see homeless people, tents, needles on the ground, poop on the sidewalks, woke people all over town or graffiti all over the place. You also won’t hear a lot of gunshots. For the most part.
Emporia Virginia’s not gonna wow you. It’s certainly not fancy. It’s right along I-95, so it’s the kind of place where people stop while they’re passing through. You’ll see license plates from all over the east coast. I also hear they make a lot of money pulling people over for speeding, which is evident by the numerous traffic cams in and near downtown.
As you might expect, there’s not a lot here. I think they have three schools in town. There’s a grocery store that sells mostly meat. A few mom and pops, some restaurants, a few parks. They have a Walmart here. And a bunch of Dollar Stores. I counted four of them within a few blocks of downtown.
If you don’t live in a rural area, let me just say - in small towns like this, dollar stores have become the lifeblood of these communities. And that’s sad because like Walmart, they tend to run the mom and pops out of business. They’re kind of under the radar small business snipers. The Dollar Generals are VERY popular in rural America. They’re kind of a combination of Walmart, a travel center and a yard sale. Look at all that cheap Chinese made stuff, people.
Emporia has some awful friendly folks. We’ll meet some of them soon. Many work in one of this city’s fine restaurants. This is Logans Diner - it’s a popular eatery right in the heart of downtown. It’s a simple place, Logans is - the kind of place where you come to hear small town gossip and gobble up cheap, home made food. Look at those prices, everyone!
On the low end, you could get a home in a neighborhood like this for about $20-$25,000 (say I have an email with a screengrab of how cheap the houses are. ). Now MOST of us aren’t used to reverse sticker shock like that. Heck, many of us spent more than that on our cars. Some neighborhoods in Emporia are 10 times cheaper than where you live.
But it’s cheap for a reason - it always is. Emporia doesn’t have a lot going on to draw in younger families, and there are practically zero white collar jobs in town. For SOME kind of work, you’d have to commute 20 minutes to Roanoke Rapids North Carolina, or more likely, 40 minutes into Petersburg, Virginia, which is a city that’s…not very nice. Richmond is an hour away. That’s a big city.
There have been studies that show that commuting longer distances is actually good for your health. Commutes create structure and purpose in our lives.
Anyways, another reason it’s so cheap here - people just can’t AFFORD a regular cost of living. A quarter of residents here live in poverty, which is one of the highest rates of poverty in the state. That means YOU, big earner, would live like a king if you made this your home.
It’s pretty dangerous here in Emporia, too. Last year there were two murders here, which means, statistically you’d have a 1 in 2,721 chance of being killed yourself. But it’s likely gonna be robberies and assaults that would ruin your day. Of all cities in Virginia, Emporia ranks 11th highest for crime.
#virginia #moving
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[@NickJohnson]

Here are all of my videos about the United States: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yoRYg-ZZSFNFo4dBKxg85JC

[@charlesgall7829]

Thank you. Love your work!

[@rickonethousand6304]

Those aren't traffic cams. They're sensors to count traffic. I dont think you can get a ticket by camera in VA.

[@monicatsotetsi8523]

@@rickonethousand6304 yes you can-I used to drive through Virginia on a regular basis on I-85 and I-95 and got ticketed several times. On I-85, there are signs everywhere that state that “traffic is maintained by aircraft.”

[@rickonethousand6304]

@@monicatsotetsi8523 lol...it doesn't say that. That doesn't even make sense. They say surveilled by aircraft. I've seen them but never gotten a ticket or known anyone who has gotten one. The chance of a plane flying over you at the exact same time is slim. The signs are mostly there to scare people. Im pretty sure the main thing cameras are used for are red lights, but it may be possible. I'm not sure. Whatever the case, those are sensors in the photo, not cameras.

[@jeromygriffin5991]

You missed a spot on that “bad side of town is a little spot overlooked haha. But emporia not recommended. Unless your retired

[@CFisk]

I just consider Emporia a speed trap 🤣 it's insane how quick and frequently the speed limit changes from 55 to 45 to 35, back up again, back down again, etc... on Hwy 58. I got my first speeding ticket there on my way back to Western NC. I'm pretty sure the speeding tickets are what keeps the town economy going.

[@dh8651]

It is

[@redbeard1976]

I hear this a lot from many people. Cops have nothing better to do.

[@xwrtk]

I’ve been past a few times before in the car. It has been annoying for whoever was driving the car that I was in. Luckily, no cops around to give a ticket. Agree speed trap.

[@sonandsanford4963]

I was going to post something similar. I haven't been through there since 2001. My exgirlfriend went to Regent University at VA Beach and me traveling there from Durham, NC. I live in So Cal now but l'll never forget the amount of blue lights I've seen on 58 passing through there. Ps. I've actually performed welding on one of the Sadler Brothers car when he drove at Orange county speedway in NC. Also, Moses Malone NBA player was from nearby Petersburg, VA you mentioned, I think.

[@PetiteKalashnikovna]

Destin, Florida is the same way. It’s just another money-making scheme in the guise of road safety z

[@juliewbarnes]

I was born and raised in Emporia, VA. It was an awesome place to grow up and I miss it daily. It may not seem like much to other folks, but it’s a special place with special people. Time moves a littler slower there. One day, I hope I get to move back!

[@aleenajaay]

my family was born and raised here and it’s such a warm welcoming feeling ❤️ i hate to see comments of people who never been here talk so bad.

[@jeromygriffin5991]

You both are big liars Emporia is the worst. Ever been around a lot of ppl who cap ((lie)) and are so two faced ((like every ware in the world)) Emporia should be Number one on that list.

[@CarolynnMarkey]

yeah I don't know what this guy wants....hes so negative

[@jeraldsmith7008]

He just wants clicks to drive his ad revenue.

[@deirdre108]

So there is a mayor AND a city manager? I ask because usually a town/city has one or the other.

[@aerrae5608]

I mean if you're going to move to one in the hopes it will improve, you should probably plan to be part of that process. Open a business, maybe renovate something old into some livable and AFFORDABLE apartments (You want to lift up the old residents not chase them out! Make it look good but don't overcharge. Help other people start businesses. Hell that's almost a whole career in itself and I bet if you were pivotal in turning that town around you'd be well respected indeed. It should definitely be seen as an opportunity for those with strong determination and a good vision for the future.

[@PsycInColour]

…and a lot of disposable income

[@aerrae5608]

@@PsycInColour Naturally. Can't build something back up without capital.

[@PsycInColour]

@@aerrae5608 and unfortunately this will be the issue that holds most people back from transforming areas just because they’ve moved there.

[@art_see_shan1849]

Exactly

[@thekingcrawleynetwork6665]

I’m from this town…the issues with getting things done is much deeper than that…on the surface yes what you said is great…but in small town…certainly families usually control the majority of business…so if they don’t want you to have something…you don’t get it…it’s not like the city where you have more infrastructure and things in place…the Slates…Spiveys…Sadlers and Harrells control a large part of how this town operates…may have left out a name or two but these folks control what comes and goes in the town….I don’t suggest anyone move here with any grand ideas…it’s not set up to allow that

[@amethystmistarts5532]

I really appreciate the Mayor of Emporia's candor about her town! Honesty about the town goes a long way in showing the good people who live there.

[@a.williams6167]

The problem with Emporia, the Sadlers. This town would have great potential if the Sadler’s weren’t hoarding all of the real estate. They buy and hold, and leave the properties empty to keep others from purchasing and prospering. If the town folks had sense, they would stop spending their money with Sadler businesses and force their hands to lift off of the real estate. Sadlers equal greed

[@cecillyrowe6339]

wow that's TERRIBLE!!! you would hope hometown celebs would benefit their hometown!!!! thanks for exposing!!!

[@teaspoon966]

I think you struck GOLD. Do more of this kind of videos, please! I'm sure there's a ton of remote workers who are looking for a place! And a lot of interesting lore, events, etc. in rural America!

[@tomkoa521]

Nooooo.. absolutely not with Emporia! 😂😂😂

[@myboringpowerpoints7782]

From what the mayor was saying it seems like a bowling alley and movie theater would help the area a bit. A community theater would be nice, too. All could provide jobs and stimulation.

[@KuromixLara]

I liked how she used "fast paced live" and "movie theatre" in the same sentence

[@jonathansullivan8651]

there used to be a movie theatre there lol.. back in like 83'...

[@photodumper]

She needs to get herself together before she can get the town together but that party is doing nothing but turning America into a third world country.

[@angieg2561]

Can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip. If the population can’t afford food and lives on food stamps, do you think they can afford $20 movie tickets? Down the road, “thriving” Danville (it’s not thriving it’s just marketed as thriving) couldn’t even sustain their bowling alley and it shut down. Community theatre is nice but, how do you justify the “Arts” when the population struggles paying basic electric bills, gas bills, food bills, housing bills?? Again, using “thriving” Danville as the example--they can’t even fill the seats of their city auditorium with free events. Crime is still so bad that these downtown Danville events require police at every building entrance. The only ones who don’t know this are the new from out of town transplants who got suckered in to retiring there with Danville’s notoriously bad death camp hospital. If a town must hire a marketing company to convince people that it’s a great place to live, do you really think it’s a great place to live? If it’s a great place to live, it wouldn’t need a marketing campaign. This is not a local problem it’s a problem ALL over the USA. These towns and cities grew from the farming economies and industrial factories which no longer exist. They can’t sustain themselves and live off of government subsidies. They are welfare cities. Obviously, it isn’t working. It’s prolonging the economic depression these towns experience.

[@CydnotCharrise1]

@@angieg2561 Let me tell you something about the arts. If your little town gets some artists/musicians to come into your small town you can be thankful. Having lived in places like Haight Ashbury, in Hollywood and now in the California desert, I have seen these places become gentrified ( and often then the artists leave not being able to pay new rents ). If you allow them to buy mom and pop fixers ( galleries and living space as an example ), you will get tourists. This will increase property values and people will come.

[@AlwaysonTayaTime]

My Mother landed here almost 20 years ago and she can't imagine another place being home. She lives outside of town, but runs a small consignment business on Halifax St. Appreciate you coming here and showing the place. It's lovely, and the people are good, community oriented people. There's just a lack of money in rural Virginia small cities like Emporia.

[@cecillyrowe6339]

where did she move from?

[@williamivey9432]

I was born and raised in Emporia. It was a great place to grow up. It was a much different place. Living there now is different but this video and the mayor left out some very important details about our little town. We do have child care and a place kids can play basketball. No one mentioned the YMCA. Many events happen at the Y. Child care is available as well as Basketball, Pickle Ball and it is a great place for seniors to meet and greet, work out, play cards, puzzles and other activities. We have another child care, Rainbow World. Emporia has more than one Grocery store. There is a Walmart and a Food Lion no one mentioned. There is a Starbucks and a Cracker Barrell and many Fast Food Restaurants. Emporia lost a lot of businesses over the years and hopefully more will come in the future. No one mentioned the Emporia Arts council that has name brand entertainment at least 4 times a year. No one mentioned the great Public Library where kids go for different programs or our Hospital and Peanut Festival held once a year or the many Church events. Yes, Emporia is small and has problems but It is still a great place to live. Life and the town you live in is what you make it. The video seemed to focus on the bad things and left out many of the good things that I mentioned. We are not perfect but our greatest asset is the loving and caring citizens of the community.

[@cecillyrowe6339]

I was greatly impressed by this! l wish l could more there!!

[@delbomb3131]

I've experienced way more drama in rural towns than big cities. In big cities people really minded their own business, rural areas are gossip playgrounds and decent jobs tend to be good ole boy games where promotions are based on who you know rather than what you bring to the business. Don't get me wrong, i love living in a small town. But it's not roses, especially for a new resident

[@chipbaldwin2440]

Hi Nick! Great video! I live in a really small town in Virginia that has a college in it. I study there and many people that go to the college leased buildings downtown and have started their business. Your video is spot on!

[@erbiumfiber]

Thanks Nick! Drove through Emporia last summer when driving between Richmond, VA and Myrtle Beach, SC and trying to avoid I-95 just to see these kinds of small towns. It was fascinating and I saw many nice small towns in the area so please make some more videos like this.

[@billberna]

Small towns in Virginia that might fit your criteria and offer more: Farmville, Bedford, Appomattox, AltaVista. I love the idea of this video series on small towns.

[@TheRealQua]

Pamplin another one!!

[@normanharris5817]

Also South Hill

[@claudeoverstreet8791]

Bedford is great!

[@es1442]

Lexington

[@blessyourheart175]

Virginia has so so many small towns that are absolutely treasures. I was born and raised in VA and I still find small towns that I’ve never heard of.

[@mylt1z28]

FYI, there were no speed cameras in any of this video. Those cameras on the traffic lights are actually optical sensors to detect cars, they replaced the old loop style sensors that were in the pavement. Speed and red light cameras are a totally different setup.

[@sherriwells8628]

Thank you!!!

[@tomkoa521]

@@sherriwells8628 emporia still sucks Sherri..

[@williambrown1814]

Grew up in Emporia , joined the Air Force traveled all over the United States and abroad found out Emporia wasn't so bad , sure there's always from for improvements but that's every place you go

[@jovegajo]

Its actually really nice to see that they have a vision to improve their town. That kind of optimisitic and pragmatic view of the future is what we need. I also live in a small-town in Virginia and have a lot of hope for the future here.

[@whisperstv2888]

Awesome!! I really appreciate your channel so much!! So informative! Thank you so much!🙏🥰👍💯

[@pinkchristals8159]

I just recently moved from Emporia, when I saw Logan’s Diner, I almost cried. I grew up in the town and I know majority of the workers in most of these stores/restaurants. Thank you for covering such an important part of my childhood.

[@charlesgall7829]

Hi Nick,great idea showing these places to live in . Maybe it is the next "big" thing. All the best of luck to that Mayor and manager.

[@promiselongiii1793]

Born and raised. Moved away, unfortunately had to move back and had not plan on staying here as long as I have. The only good thing about living here is that it is in the country. Country living is best. Mayor Carey is giving you the real deal. The truth is that the old money is keeping new money from coming here.

[@TheWinterShadow]

That's the most factual statement on this thread.

[@LostKinda]

Yup the sadler brothers buying prime real estate and leaving it to crap because they were scared one wawa was too much competition from every gas station they own.

[@TheWinterShadow]

@@LostKinda Facts.

[@SoullessSuicide]

Also, Emporia is tied to Greensville county and that wasn't shown here. Most of the functions that were mentioned are held in the county. FYI a small movie theater and bowling are about a 20min drive south in NC. There is a lot of potential but the old $ doesn't want anything to disrupt things here. This town is at a crossroads of 58 and 95 so you would think this place would have a ton of places for travellers to stop but nope. They shot down the idea of bringing back the train station for fear it will change things. It would be a great boost to have done so. I think if we had some more Active Youth in the community to get involved and perhaps elected on city council or the board we can try to steer things in the right direction. They are trying but it is slow moving.

[@keltaruusutravels4024]

When Bobby talked about the fish fry, I was hooked. I liked the major. She was honest about the good and bad. Never seen an honest politician before. Refreshing.

[@lesterjones9335]

You don't want to eat fish out that water

[@mattlindsey]

Keep up the great work, Nick! Wife and I are hunting the US with you for a new place to be! I think it's cool/fitting that you're in real estate now as well! We are Oregonians looking for.... somewhere!

[@lesliecas2695]

Anyplace but California, Oregon or Washington.

[@wood4life]

Hampton roads, Va

[@BeautifulStranger]

LOL you're so HILARIOUS!!!! Your reaction to the interview w/Bobby had me laughing! @9:48 All of that sounds fun. I love small towns. I'm from Missouri, but reside in Tennessee, and I ride through them often just to explore and meet people in any state I'm in. :)

[@robertboyer8801]

You put a smile on my face Nick! I was raised in Emporia and miss it everyday. Yes, you knew everyone and all of us know Mr. Wrenn. Safe, simple and in my opinion, wonderful place to grow up!

[@jugatsu23nichi]

Hey Nick, I loved this! Looking forward to more Tiny towns 2.0!

[@kazeryu17]

Emporia is definitely one of the most notorious speed traps in Virginia. On the bright side, it is conveniently located between Norfolk VA, Richmond VA, and Raleigh NC, so if you want to drive into a city, you have options.

[@im_a_rampart_main_say_hell7394]

Also 1 of the worst places to live in VA still don't know if we're still no 1 in crack houses that's not a flex that's a guess from what I've heard that's why I live in the country and only come here for work and groceries

[@kazeryu17]

@@im_a_rampart_main_say_hell7394 I remember, nick did a list of the top 10 worst places to live in Virginia, and most were along highway 58.

[@deirdre108]

So there's no supermarket in the town except for the butcher shop?

[@kazeryu17]

@@deirdre108 there's a shopping center with a Walmart super center, and a grocery store within walking distance of downtown.

[@deirdre108]

@@kazeryu17 👍🏼

[@bryanhachey]

Thanks for this video! please do most of these! More people need to see small town America in depth!

[@InterstateRaziTV]

Fun Video as always Nick!

[@southernhippie9058]

I grew up near a small town in central NC and no thank you. I won't live anywhere with less than 200,000 people now. Anything less does not have the logistics for my lifestyle. I like to have choices. I think anyone living in a city should make sure they would be happy in one of those small towns before they move there. Sometimes the idea is better than the reality.

[@xpicklepie]

I can relate. And there is more privacy and anonymity in a bigger city. All I know is that my bad luck almost vanished overnight when I went 40 miles away to a large metro.

[@deirdre108]

I get what you're saying. Grew up in a small town but live in a large city. I just want a Trader Joe's within a half-hour of me!

[@neemavegankitchen726]

I was born here but not raise. They use to have a community center with a pool called the CYC. My grandmother has a house here she just passed a few years ago. Her kids still maintain it and keep it up. Even as a kid I only liked to visit but didn't like to stay long. It was boring and not much to do. But when there was a house party we partied hard. Lots of drinking and food.

[@tionacrow5644]

I love your videos so much!! Keep up the great content. You have great information while being funny and making your videos so enjoyable.

[@bobz3779]

That town should have gold streets with all the money they collect from "speeding" tickets.

[@kimmiestell849]

Ha! 😂

[@sonandsanford4963]

Lol... Noooooo lie! My money help paved it.

[@UserName-ts3sp]

only thing small towns do these days

[@davebrooks2942]

Good job I think it's good that you interview people in the town. I live in Middle Tennessee but wouldn't mind having cheap home around that area to hang out for a few months at a time. Or even some acreage to hang out on.

[@nicop5353]

I love this channel it’s top tier content

[@MrGoblue1131]

at 50 and looking very much towards retirement and relocation, I greatly appreciate these kind of videos Nick. Thanks man.

[@dennis9854]

Great video and idea with those tiny town showings!

[@EclecticEndeavorsbyDemi]

Thank you for exploring this. I've lived in major cities for the last 20 years and watched them grow larger and uncomfortable. I'm from a smaller city and would like to get back to that. I see cities like this having nothing but an opportunity for some small business options especially those that provide remote work and or online ordering warehouses.

[@michaelwhiting668]

I loved that town. The had the nicest people. The roads were the best ever. Homes prices were normal prices. Parking was everywhere. No traffic. This place is heaven.

[@DouglasUrantia]

Yes, if you're retired and have a good pension.

[@MrCarloszeca]

Yes, if you just want to spend the rest of your life, sitting on a couch and watch tv.

[@simixlee]

I actually lived in Emporia. It's really nice, people underestimate the tiny town.

[@msmissy143]

Girl, dont listen to them. All HELL will be breaking out in the big Cities and where you are. YOU STAY PUT...You'll be glad you did. He really should let people know that, but he doesn't even know. He'll be looking for rural before long.. But folk wont get it until stuff hits the fan for real, for real! God bless you!

[@simixlee]

@@msmissy143 You're so right! You go girl!

[@acesbazaarhealth2246]

Emporia is really a truck stop at the junction of US 58 and I-95. Nobody coming thru is going downtown Emporia. If you can’t complete on 58, starting a business is out. I wouldn’t even renovate and rent a house there. Roanoke Rapids is only marginally better.

[@gonzowarburn7045]

Used to go through emporia alot. It is known as the speed trap of Virginia, if not the east coast. How the town makes revenue with the high unemployment rate. Cruise control people, cruise control.

[@jimjim2119]

I have respect for the Mayor to point out the deficiences of the area.

[@frankwalton7323]

I think you are on to something here, Mr. Johnson. Tiny Towns is a terrific and useful feature for those who want to abandon cities or even rural locations. I'll be looking forward to the next installment.

[@RessurrectionGraves]

I’m a Licensed Real Estate Broker, born and raised in Virginia. Happy to help anyone searching. ♥️

[@wellnesselements5853]

Are you from Emporia VA?

[@BlazinBrazen]

Let me say this about Emporia before this video starts...watch for their doggone police and their radars! Do Not speed through there! LOL

[@terrenceb10]

Lol I was pulled over by an Emporia police officer on Interstate 95 a few years back. At the time I thought only state police patrolled I 95.

[@sonandsanford4963]

Amen to that. Evidently they haven't changed and I have not been through there in 20 years.

[@rachie1613]

My dad was in a nursing home in emporia for 8 months and it was literally the grossest place I’ve been in Virginia and there were literally so many cops everywhere like 1/4 of the cars on the road 🤦‍♀️

[@rayebaldwin9086]

There is no excuse to have a place like that to be in that condition. Smh!

[@norms3913]

Sounds like Franklin Virginia

[@amunderdog]

I agree our local nursing home was last renovated sometime in the 60's. It is a very depressing place.

[@marymargaretjames2594]

I agree and I grew up there!

[@Ninnjette-]

I live in Va, I’ve heard to stay away from Emporia.

[@altheacrawford3049]

Tiny/Small Towns is a Great theme to follow-up on Nick! I liked this video a lot & think you're right about this becoming a new homeowner's (& renters?) trend. Peace, x & much gratitude to you & All. From, "Canada" :)

[@willasage23240]

I recommend your channel to everyone because it’s so good!

[@marcellmate6874]

I really like this video!!! Love from Hungary!

[@PsycInColour]

I moved from a UK city to a small village Good side: Beautiful nature trails,low crime rate,quicker access to services Bad side : Superficial people,Everyone in your business,Less restaurants/entertainment. I wouldn’t go back to the city now but I do love the days I go to visit!

[@jm-je4tl]

How are village people superficial?

[@scwaty180]

Just downloaded your album from Amazon, love the tunes, and we're always happy to see a new video release. Stay safe while driving around these crazy stats.

[@NickJohnson]

Yay! Hope you like the songs Scott!

[@scwaty180]

@@NickJohnson are you going to release the West Virginia song soon? That's a good one too

[@victoriakleber1397]

Great video! Looking forward to the next one.

[@williamperryjr1324]

I been to Emporia!! I stopped at a Hardees there in September of 2015, on my way to North Carolina!! Emporia is 10 miles from the NC state line via Interstate 95, and about 68 miles from Suffolk, via US 58! I gotta say, that part of Virginia is laid back!

[@NickJohnson]

Good directions William!

[@wood4life]

Suffolk!

[@williamperryjr1324]

@@wood4life Indeed! That's my fav part of VA!

[@rockyzman]

Great video Nick. After many years in a large metropolitan area I moved out of state to a small college town of 15,000 it's an hour drive to the nearest interstate and not a lot of stores though we have an Aldi and Walmart. Best part is no more traffic and shootings and the cost of living is low. I plan on staying.

[@dmo7815]

Shssss !

[@louislamonte334]

Attracting businesses, small businesses should be a #1 priority for a place like Emporia. Dollar Tree et al and Walmart are a pox on Emporia, small towns everywhere and on the United States.

[@amunderdog]

Some places have been so forgotten that a dollar store, is actually an upgrade. The dollar general markets are bringing some groceries back. There used to be hardware/general stores owned by locals.

[@loftyjones675]

I think in these towns it would be great to see you interview young adults and kids too, to get their perspectives on small town living. Also I'd love to see some small towns with amazing nature at their back door. Thanks!

[@angieg2561]

There’s a lot of deer in the city. That’s nature. And rats. You have people who can’t afford food and require government subsidies to obtain food yet there are all these deer walking around waiting to be dinner. Yep, lots of nature. Deer. Rats. Plenty of coons too.

[@xoperry7612]

i’ll give you my opinion as a high school student here life isn’t the bet and the town is completely run by monopolies and i don’t recommend coming

[@xoperry7612]

@@angieg2561 i hope you mean raccoons

[@loftyjones675]

@@xoperry7612 do a lot of the other kids in town agree with your perspective, or are there some that thrive in that environment? just curious

[@loftyjones675]

@@xoperry7612 I really hope they mean raccoons lol

[@joycehenderson7163]

I live in SC, a hurricane prone state and subject to evacuations. Emporia is on my list of places to evacuate to because it is off I 95 and they have a pet friendly motel......Best Western. 😊

[@MrManfly]

Good lord the mayor looks disheveled 😮

[@robinmills8675]

Same here from Virginia Beach.

[@leebuck180]

if you take away Food Lion, Wal-Mart, Sadler travel plaza, and interstate 95, Emporia would fold up.

[@flea4061]

I'll save you the trouble. Anything south of Chesterfield County until Lake Gaston is depressed.

[@dayshawncrew4431]

Colonial Heights, Virginia is descent. On interstate 95. Flea, is right all of those towns south of chesterfield county, including petersburg, hopewell, dinwiddie county, prince george county. Not much to offer and depressed poor dunk towns.

[@bobsmoot8454]

I know a family that were living outside DC and they got fed up in the mid eighties and moved to this town. They said it was the absolute best decision they ever made.

[@NickJohnson]

Anywhere in Virginia is better than DC

[@brendanreilly4675]

@@NickJohnson wouldn’t say that for all parts, I mean would you rather live in the southwest than live in dc? There’s a reason southwest va is decreasing, it’s just kinda sad and lonely

[@lorirobertson643]

👋 Hi Nick! I wonder if some of the old boarded up buildings are 2nd floor livable. Business on the 1st floor with a home above it is an old pipe dream. My son is planning a move to Virginia next year & he's looking at small towns because of lower housing prices. This has been another great Cornerhouse Entertainment Production! Insightful as always. Hugs from Arkansas 💜💜

[@PlantCraft]

There’s a lot of towns like this in rural Missouri where I live and there are many places where there is no hospital, and people actually are more likely to die on their way to the closest health care facility. Also there are plenty of towns with no internet service

[@PlantCraft]

No childcare there either huh?

[@trece003]

We have a newer hospital and childcare

[@Blaird2006]

Actually emporia does have a hospital 🙂

[@crystaljones9642]

Emporia has a hospital

[@verahinnant8021]

I love it I have such happy memories. Thanks for showing me this.

[@Mountaintrucker909]

Awesome video! Thank you.

[@d.l.n.7133]

I thought this was Emporia, NC … but watched it anyway and enjoyed it . I am really enjoying these videos and subscribed yesterday. We drive from NJ to FL twice or 4 trips a year and have stopped at so many of the towns that you have profiled. We take both 95 and the western mountain route. ( been doing this for 20 years ) last Christmas we took the auto train . It left extremely late 2:30 am . So we got to see a lot of the towns along the tracks that you usually pass in the night … talk about interesting!!! There are so many unusual towns that we have stayed at such as Dunn, SC and Santee, SC… and my mother and her family are southern … but these towns are from another time and place .

[@NickJohnson]

I know those places and you're right!

[@d.l.n.7133]

I met Dunn , NC our Yankee waitress at the Brass Lantern entertained ( or😬) us with stories of the area she lives close to Dunn. .

[@jamiethompson4008]

Consider going about 30 miles West and check out South Hill, VA. May find what you're looking for.

[@itswiz4785]

My mom is from Emporia and my Dad is from South Hill. I didn’t grow up there, but I spent my summers in both places.

[@Hillers62]

I drove through Emporia several times while traveling from Newport News VA to Fayetteville, NC and back...there was nothing to see there....

[@rgbrin]

Hey Nick, do one on Clayton NC,,,,,I moved here about 15 years ago and love it,,,,great little town,,,,

[@billdebillbill]

A few years ago when I was stationed in Norfolk, we had to pick a place to evacuate to incase of a hurricane. I picked Emporia quite randomly but ever since then, and purely because of then, its held a special place in my heart! I never exactly evacuated there but I have driven through and gotten gas, I think. I love that Emporia is the first town on this series!

[@azt69boyz72]

Driving from New Jersey to South Carolina I stopped in Emporia for gas. I was tired and wanted to rest. I found a police station and went inside to ask the cops if me and my wife could rest in the car in their parking lot. They said ok and we rested there for a few hours.

[@shosmyth1454]

Thank you Nick for shedding light on small towns to live in? I am waiting to find a little town away from big cities. ☕️☕️☕️☕️

[@pbardon3965]

I love these people. ❤️ this was great.

[@YourGEEKYNeighbor]

I grew up in Emporia and lived there till my late 20s. I still have alot of family living there currently. I can honestly say it was much different place many years ago in my younger years. It was the perfect town bsckdrop setting for my 80s childhood, I remember riding my bike with friends all over the town. However Yes, the crime was pretty just traffic violations years ago.

[@wordawakeningny]

When I was in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, I used to drive through Emporia all the time going home. Your right about the speeding! I got a speeding ticked there and when I drove through I would always eat at the Shoney's.

[@lep23456]

Shoney's is GONE!

[@wordawakeningny]

@@lep23456 oh no! I loved that place!

[@teresasquirrels5115]

@@lep23456 Shoney’s is still here.

[@lep23456]

@@wordawakeningny thought that was closed. So much has closed over there. Sorry.

[@battlecat4791]

Well done video! I enjoyed your take on this small town. I don't live too far away and I have a strange fascination with these small towns in south central Virginia. Sometimes I take short day trips to explore such towns. I tend to wonder how people there make a living as there is very little evidence of industry, commerce, etc. from which to draw. I wonder about the quality of life available there. You covered all of that in this video. Other Virginia towns that are similar are South Boston, South Hill, Chase City. People who talk about speed traps along highway 58 are absolutely correct. They are notorious!

[@kam.kam.]

I enjoyed this one. Thanks! I’m glad you’re doing the legwork and showing us what different communities offer…or don’t. 😂 I’m from fort smith Arkansas. You should check that out. Columbus Georgia is (IMO) a great blend of small town w a dollop of small city living.

[@deirdre108]

Do you like Columbus? The reason I ask is that I was raised there until I was 12 years old when my family moved to Athens. I've been thinking about moving back to GA after living my adult life on the West Coast. Your opinion would be informative.

[@knonamer]

lmao at the way the mayor just kept going on and on about the bad

[@shysweet5439]

Lol yeah she seemed profoundly depressed.

[@jamesunruh7048]

My Dad lived here when he was a kid, with 2 brothers. My Grandfather was a Methodist minister there.

[@mariapierce2707]

You go head ...and u r still hilarious 😂 as ever. Love it.

[@CMDR.Gonzo.von.Richthofen]

I love the style of your videos! Entertaining and informative! Subbed! I hope that you continue this series-I think you're really onto something here, and I'm looking forward to the next one! BTW, I'll bet if that mayor knew that 126k people were going to see this, she would have fixed her bed head🤣 Small towns, because who wants drama🎵🎶 Small towns, where you won't get stuff robbed🎶🎵

[@SnuffyB123]

Nick don’t forget to include a competent Hospital

[@renroxhrd]

I've passed emporia driving to Florida on I-95, last town before you hit NC. It always looked kinda depressed

[@kharyzma4u]

Wow. I'm from NYC. I didn't realize that there were such small towns that didn't have even a TJ Maxx. I love TJ Maxx. Emporia would be a great place for someone who had a work from home job that paid well and then they could save up money. You said the "nicer side of town" homes were around $100K. Wow! Thanks for sharing. What a great video!

[@monicatsotetsi8523]

My mom’s family came from around Emporia, VA and I still have some relatives there. We sold our property and moved North in the 1900s.

[@davidcoleman6032]

Can't believe how reasonable the up market end is!House like that here in England probably $500,000-800,000+depending where. Sounds my sort of town!

[@riazghuman8698]

USA is destroyed and they have done it very well by their own hands , homeless , jobless , drugs and criminality are not the only reasons , political system and corruption is the biggest wrong doer. These towns and cities never be the same again , because when US Adminstration spent more than 2 Trillion Dollars in Afghanistan to find the rerrorists , while they knew very well already that not a single Afghan was involve in the attacks of Sept 11 but still the Americans stayed there for 20 years , how wise and smart ?

[@kowens1956]

You sure are right..

[@jd218]

Amen I'm from Nitro WV greed exported all the factories and plants,mills now drugs prevail

[@josephtoone-sanmigueldeall4003]

Good luck with your consulting!

[@vnessluvzzombiez]

I can’t believe you chose Emporia as the first small town to show us. I giggled a lot throughout this video though Nick. BUTT EVENTS!!!

[@emppowersportsandmarine6270]

Moved out of Long Beach California in 2017 and bought a house in the small town of St Maries Idaho in 2018. I was ahead of the trend and my wife and I have never looked back. We run a home based business and are farm to table, it’s a nice way to live.

[@stogieguy7]

Nick, I’m curious about how South Hill, VA stacks up in your small towns project. Visited there back in the 70’s with my folks and it was an idyllic small southern town, not far from Lake Gaston. Seems like it would fit your criteria, if it hasn’t gone way downhill lately.

[@BoratWanksta]

There was a BBQ restaurant in South Hill that I forget the name of, that used to exist that myself and family would sometimes drive to from nearby town of Chase City(back when my grandmother once lived there before retiring). Wish I could remember the name of it, since we'd drive there often to pick up BBQ to go back in the 80s and 90s. Sadly the last time I did a Google search for that BBQ restaurant some years back, it seems like that place may've closed for good. :( Anyone else remember a BBQ restaurant that used to exist besides me, in South Hill?

[@leonation89]

South Hill is similar to Emporia to me its a nicer town. It's like 30 miles west on U.S. 58 and on I-85. I'd pick South Hill over Emporia anyday

[@teresasquirrels5115]

@@BoratWanksta Was it Wilson’s?

[@dev5963]

The entire 58 corridor is depressed - Franklin, Emporia, Lawrenceville, South Hill and keep going west. Clarksville is holding on because it's on Kerr (Buggs Island) Lake. The entire region has been devastated by loss of industry and farming. The young with educations have left so you have a decreasing population and who are left are poorer and less educated than 30-40 years ago. There are exceptions - mine are general statements and could apply to the vast majority of rural America.

[@forsomenotreally]

So much potential and my wheels are turning. I must admit your theme song is interesting

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Claire

[@GloryFit]

Yo nick I always thought you could have the idea also of choosing a particular career field and going through certain aspects of what would work best for this said field based on jobs available, wages, politics, etc etc. Just an idea for your channel maybe I’ll start up my own when I get out of the military. Stay safe brother

[@mariowalker9048]

I'm familiar with Emporia since it's one of the first towns you pass by in Virginia on i-95 from NC.

[@coolaunt516]

What about health care services for the people in the small towns you are choosing? If I had a young family I would want to be sure I could get my kid to a dentist or an MD if needed.

[@normanharris5817]

Like 4 dentist offices. A hospital, 2 family doctors

[@transferz]

Good video Nick!!

[@MG-ot2yr]

Most of the towns in southern VA along the NC border are pretty bad, you gotta go further west to places like Abingdon, Damascus, Wytheville, or north to Lexington, Staunton, Buena Vista or far north where I am gets very nice, I'm in Leesburg, but its very expensive here being just outside DC.

[@Lovingme224]

I’m from Emporia it’s nothing for blacks to do there only the Pork fest in June I’m surprised you didn’t show that Confederate cemetery you was near there nice video thank you for sharing my hometown Emporia

[@Nobleazure]

Emporia is where I go to get a speeding ticket...

[@F142Lock]

Good job Nick man!