Towns for sale

In recent years dozens of towns across the country, from abandoned mining settlements to desert enclaves, have been listed for sale. Correspondent Christina Ruffini reports on opportunities for someone in the market to own a town of their very own, from a 40-acre village in Maine, to a sprawling Rocky Mountain ghost town.
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[@ZebsterP43]

And Tutville is not a town…it’s a private enclave of private buildings on private land in a tiny piece of a real town

[@owenjohnson7447]

Exactly. Nothing about this is a town

[@qamyasharahla8764]

Wayy too much

[@AMD1]

first thing that came in my mind is a micro version of greenfield village.

[@az55544]

​​@@qamyasharahla8764 covid real estate prices are still insane in new england. Nov 2024 it's still for sale at $5.5M He's hoping for a Boston investment because there is no money being made in Maine. I'm betting there are zoning issues with the real town.

[@boycott2720]

So if you buy a town, and rent all of the businesses and buildings, can you build a Manor house and call yourself a LORD?

[@OLDTESTAMENTSILVER]

Yes you can.😊

[@joanneweiss3864]

You can do whatever you want, it's all yours😂

[@sharonh2991]

LOL! I don’t own a town and I still consider myself a Lord!

[@weaponizedglitter69]

Yes

[@HughJass-313]

You can call yourself _THE GOVERNOR..._ 😜😜

[@heidifluteatl]

If I was a movie maker I would buy the Maine property. You could make so many different movies set in this area.

[@KatjeKat86]

Personally, if someone has the money and the interest they could use it for movies, weddings or all sorts of things and make a decent living off of it.

[@aaronbenjamin2210]

For some reason, I keep thinking it can be used for hallmark movies lol

[@theironclads]

I thought the same thing. Film studios & TV networks could utilize some of these towns for their productions. Hallmark Channel, are you watching?

[@thedoctormma9433]

I wish someone or something with 9 figures or better would explain to me why it's not more popular to buy real abandoned towns.

[@dedik8SKB]

5.5 million? I hope it went into the right hands. I've worked on properties 25 million plus that weren't this gorgeous or large.

[@Bettinasisrg]

Good for his dad! I hope a wonderful person or preservation group buys it! I'd love to buy a town!!

[@adelaferreira4575]

Great buy for a movie studio ,or TV set ,the one in Maine of course !

[@happygilmore1844]

Australians are always welcome here in the USA, love their entreprenuer spirit!!!

[@Rudster14]

A lot of these aren't legally towns but rather compounds. Unless it's a town you can't make your own laws

[@poundtrader1414]

so true 👍👍

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

you can make your own law on your private property.

[@Rudster14]

@@rizkyadiyanto7922 no you can't. You can't control zoning, you can't have elections and so on

[@poundtrader1414]

@@rizkyadiyanto7922 No you can't make our own law

[@serafinacosta7118]

There are ongoing costs … law enforcement , maintenance , ……

[@kamuelalee]

Taxes, surcharges

[@joshuacoldwater]

I’d love to buy a town and help older kids that are in the foster system- It is a dream though.

[@BibleSamurai]

Thats a great idea

[@BigRobChicagoPL]

That tuthill place would make for a super antique retreat and walkable museum, kind of like the castles in europe. So much potential and the preservation has already been done

[@debrahelmlinger6256]

In Florida this being done in many communties to save the oldest buildings, many are now museums that hold events to preserve the past

[@sentientarugula2884]

Where for example?

[@scott.baierscott2198]

Well, no one cares about fl. That's why all insurance companies but 2 have pulled out of fl.. they dont care to insure it anymore.

[@ImYoutubing247]

“Why does a circus want to buy a town?” “Well we’re an hour from Vegas and I like gum trees”

[@MrWaterbugdesign]

I've never heard a case of anyone buying whole towns and it not being back on the market before any dream is realized.

[@nata3467]

This could make a great vacation complex... antique stores

[@karentrimmer]

Wilcox Farms in my ancestorial home of Roy/Yelm WA on Hart Lake Rd, was doing this on a smaller scale back in the 1950s. They had reassembled the town on their property. The school my grandmother, and mother attended, the post office, and my grandfather's hip-roof barn was added later. They were still there in the 1980s

[@MiriamLove366]

I love your show and all your stories.❤️

[@mandcbruce]

Me, too

[@jim6811]

@@mandcbruce except when it is political. I stopped DVR it for that reason.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Those prices will buy you a little beach shack in southern California these days, or a really nice place elsewhere in most of the country . . . interesting choices.

[@PDogB]

Loved this, especially the part about the circus property. Thank you! I was wondering if the towns have utilities, or they generate any of their own? Functional septic systems, etc?

[@BeardedDragonMan1997]

That is NONE of your business! 😂

[@PDogB]

@Iceman72185 I like to find out more about things in the background of a good story, that's all. I have already found my home.

[@BeardedDragonMan1997]

@@PDogB RFK Jr

[@vasantos-re4hb]

This is so next level. People would come and visit.

[@Darci3333]

I wish i could get it and live there it could be so beautiful ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pancakeday4866]

I want someone to buy it and turn it into a senior/family living community.

[@dwaynehall6356]

Sounds good to me.

[@mstreich]

That’s exactly what I was thinking.

[@Seaflower722]

The other day I saw a documentary where a small town was built solely for people with Alzheimer’s and like memory loss conditions in Canada and people live very independently. But it was closed off and secure to keep them from going away too far. Very clean and very cute living conditions.

[@whitepouch0904]

@@Seaflower722they also have in Netherlands I think

[@gamerjunction5335]

My introduction to Nipton was with the Legion in Fall New Vegas.

[@coryprocise5354]

I was in Nipton while the trading post was still open. It was a neat little place. It is in the middle of nowhere though.

[@CD_RN_Independent_Voter]

Lol “What if you have a heart attack?” “Then I die.”

[@Shelly-m5t]

It would be so freeing to walk around and feel good about being there, nobody to bother you, like an island of your own, just beautiful.

[@cherylcarlson3315]

I can see becoming a collector of imperiled, gorgeous homes quite easily. Good thing this 120 yo house demands to be an only child.

[@davidwitte8469]

4:30 The Union Pacific doesn’t come around much anymore. Lisa Simpson

[@achildsheart4658]

People who dont need to talk about politics. And are principled base should get together and buy the town . No extremism.

[@GamerbyDesign]

I wish I could buy a town

[@claramitchell746]

Truly amazing!!!😧

[@brucegelman5582]

These places have no services, are in the middle of nowhere and cost ten times the asking price to rejuvinate.Perfect for a young bitcoiner with vision.

[@donniemoder1466]

How do you not know how many buildings are in this town?

[@EvaUnit_01]

went to Nipton awhile back, it’s a lovely place to sleep in a tipi, grab lunch if you’re driving the less traveled roads

[@christinacascadilla4473]

Good advertising! They are sure to find a buyer now! Maybe Steve Cohn.

[@tyrehester5550]

Property tax in Maine is extremely high. I see why he wants to unload this on someone else. I suspect his plan is to move somewhere in the South?

[@LifeisGood762]

Wow these are really cool.

[@Chaotic_Pixie]

Little villages essentially are the basis of an amazing all-inclusive resort opportunity if you ask me. Very "camp in the adirondacks a la Dirty Dancing" kinda vibes.

[@karenwoodward7291]

I love old buildings.

[@mr.abbott212]

I want to buy the New York one. Anyone know the address/ listing?

[@brianhornak5937]

Great Segment Christina

[@kaykiekid]

I wish I could buy! Then I can get some great sleep! I know that it will be peaceful living in my own town because it's too noisy where I'm living now! 😟😑😬

[@iwonadziegielewska]

Magnificent ❤❤❤❤

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Super sweet... save history. It ours.

[@Jose-Zuniga0228]

If I had the money I would buy it ❤

[@kehwa]

This version of Nipton doesn't match the timeline of Fallout New Vegas.

[@twitchell2682]

So was this news or a commercial?

[@mstreich]

Yes.

[@Sensocomum1978]

Ok 👍🏼 deal I want to buy it !!!

[@juliemead7366]

Cool.

[@marilyno8616]

I would love to buy a town, AND MAKE IT FREE OF CARS & LOUD MOTORS !!!! As well as chemical free ! Heck, let's keep going ... fully ecological, and mindful too !

[@cknorris3644]

yeah because thats realistic. As you type comments on your electronic device. 🤣

[@een_schildpad]

Hey, I'd live in that town! Let's do this!

[@sentientarugula2884]

@@cknorris3644 They exist; Tom Scott just covered a Swiss town with no cars

[@Summerbreeze537]

Sound good but I prefer a car when the weather is freezing out.

[@JMMidwest321]

A Circus town? I’m from Wisconsin, we just called that town Baraboo! lol, j/k 😊

[@mstreich]

My in-laws lived there. We visited a few years back. Cute town.

[@JMMidwest321]

@@mstreich I’ve visited there to visit the Circus World Museum and to walk around their downtown area. Nice little town. Interesting how the Ringling Brothers Circus was founded and based there for years. I remember thinking to myself “Imagine living in such a small town and seeing all the Circus performers & Sideshow acts walking around in the off season!” And “Out of all the places in the US, how did Baraboo get the Circus! 😊”

[@hailesalassierasterfari6218]

Forget a house, I wanna buy a mountain and move it to my town.

[@benjaminanderson5176]

Love this!

[@beckyodom2097]

Turn it in to mains own green feild village like Michigan has in Dearborn

[@ramoncitoretrogamingojeda7489]

Awe true to Caesar

[@onlineshoppingjakarta7338]

Town for sale next level City for sale next level country for sale

[@JustinKatz]

What is the NY property at 2:48 ????

[@FORBIDCharlie1986]

There are mansions sitting on properties in Beverly Hills California bigger than these "towns".

[@jamesburton1050]

Wow!!!

[@JonesJr876]

He owns a town? Acquired from his father? This is not David Rose? 😂

[@MichelleInnes-pc2zn]

Can I move in?

[@veronicacordero9829]

Hope they don't sell to China

[@DezaRay24]

But a greedy American Corp would be better?

[@writerconsidered]

@@DezaRay24 No. But they shouldn't sell it to any corporation.

[@writerconsidered]

I think they will be highly selective on who they sell it to.

[@lamh5265]

It should be illegal to buy a town or a lake......These are the same kind of people who discriminate against free people. Making rules about why another can't stay.

[@beatrixbrennan1545]

Now you're discriminating against people who can afford something you cannot because you fear they will discriminate. You're part of the problem. There are plenty of folks I've seen that buy large acreage and set up tiny house communities etc. that are peaceful and eco friendly.

[@supermodelatlanta1354]

AND THEY SAY GENERATIONAL WEALTH DONT EXIST

[@awesomebookpromotion]

Would love to own a town. Can rename it Awesomeville :)

[@MariaDaruca-r7r]

show as the market place of Sale

[@robinshepard4571]

God Bless America 🇺🇸

[@larry785]

The way businesses are leaving San Francisco, it might be for sale soon!!!!

[@billypoe3703]

No!

[@celieboo]

This makes me think of Bill in "The Last of Us".

[@rebeccaduncan5970]

why not had ownership of a town like to seeing beast boy had ownership of a town his and raven ownership of a town and it all his own now,

[@markdcmountp]

Every time I hear the word “Compound” I wanna run the other way ‼️

[@SFCaliofUSA]

There’s a lot of wealthy foreigner would love to get those towns , all of them.

[@howardjuliewiley5629]

Was the Last of Us filmed here for an episode?

[@joanneweiss3864]

Haha was thinking same but nope, my son-a game fanatic since college 10 yrs ago- got me into the show bc I adore Pedro (WOW this show!!!) He gave me a list of where every single EP was filmed bc he compared to game....and I asked bc love the show so much😂 Like most of EP 1, EP 3 was filmed in Calgary, Alberta Canada. "Bill's bucolic Hamlet was shot in the High River neighbourhood of Beachwood - an area not immune to its own real-life disaster. The neighbourhood was abandoned in 2013 when the Highwood River breached its banks during the province's devastating flood event."

[@howardjuliewiley5629]

@@joanneweiss3864 I just did an online search on it. Interesting back story to the little town that they used in Episode 3. I guess Stephen King took issue with it because it didn't look like it was in the U.S. I love that show as well. Can hardly wait for season 2 but with the writers and SAG strike, it will be awhile.

[@mooonie6634]

@@joanneweiss3864 Many of the dead of winter scenes were filmed in Finland.

[@3506Dodge]

I've never heard of "gum" trees.

[@magnoliab7155]

Australia, dear, Australia. He said he was from Australia.

[@3506Dodge]

@@magnoliab7155 huh?

[@benmckinney2941]

Bethesda should have bought Nipton

[@bbsara0146]

to my knowledge the only person to actually own a municipality was Disney Corporation in florida. This guy just has a bunch of buildings on his land that he pays taxes on to a real town.

[@roachlarry1488]

If I only had the money😢

[@Brandonhayhew]

if i owned this town. then i would make this place. for 10k to 20k residential people to live there and farmers

[@Richey4Fun]

They should let new immigrants live there☮️🔵

[@amirabdulazeez3241]

Having land is worthless when there is no Human Resources establishing businesses in there

[@ConstantChaos1]

I hope someone buys it and rewilds it

[@JennyMack]

a matter of sewer, water, electric, fuel,...

[@myurbangarden7695]

I bet it's on broken down septic and wells. Off Grid power is easy enough these days.

[@humpteedumptee8629]

what if you have a heart attack? than i die lmao.

[@dwa3210]

Towns for sale? Did someone call Johnny Rose yet?😂

[@richardharepax123]

I wouldn't mind having it but I only have ten dollars to spare

[@allancortes5716]

5 million that’s a deal 🙉🙉

[@jaytrumpwins5739]

Oooh

[@jamesmitch9792]

can we not bring company towns back?

[@wildcard9724]

Elon Musk is doing just that outside Austin, TX. Residents aren't thrillled.

[@myurbangarden7695]

​@@wildcard9724 WE ARE NOT..... Increased property tax and traffic and nearly not the amount of jobs promised. His California executives buy large swaths of land and properties then rent them out to low level employees for exorbitant rent prices. NOT A GOOD DEAL at all.

[@Max-uu2gs]

Ok, build a town, And show rest of us what zero crime is❤ . RESULT, walmart and home depot MOVE IN, then the crime starts ❤😂😂😂

[@BrooklynBaby100]

Well now a Chinese company will come in and buy it under a shell company and then rent the homes for astronomical prices.

[@kamuelalee]

So cynical...but I agree

[@DezaRay24]

And you don’t think a greedy American Corp would do the same??

[@knowledgeispower4235]

Im the right person, im just waiting for my lottery win 🏆 😅

[@s.barasa]

Probably if I'm laundering money ...

[@johnnydavis3866]

Nobody buying these One Horse Towns it's just Silly

[@dungeonmaster16]

ngl this is some fallout 76 vibes im getting right now

[@andreahawkins5890]

Offer housing for America's homeless problem!!! Or help the people of Maui that just lost everything!!!

[@SandhyaTayshetye]

Freeloader

[@mohamedtwt1900]

Did @MrBeast saw this!

[@Joe-li3zj]

“Antiques stealer”

[@UncleT0ny]

incoming cult

[@rodee1671]

Take m'munneh.