10 Best Old West Towns in America. Retire or just live.

[@forgottenwest]

We are Arizonan's. Want to add my two-cents, lol! Jerome isn't structurally sound. It is starting to slip down the mountain. There are videos out there about this ongoing issue. Probably would avoid moving there but visiting, it is adorable. Bisbee is ok, it's an artsy town with a lot of pot smokers...and I mean A LOT. If that's for you, then, that might be a good fit for a visit. Tombstone, as mentioned in a comment, is growing but not in the right way. A large portion of the residential areas are very trashed out. Across the road, you have nicer properties. It is about 20 minutes from Sierra Vista, the closest place to shop. Tombstone gets very hot. Night's are a bit cooler than cities in AZ. It also gets very crowded and stays that way throughout the year. Anyway, just my unsolicited advice for those who have never visited these Arizona towns. Great video!

[@Lourdes-A.]

Jerome has also a reputation for having lots of haunted buildings.The ghost tours are big business over there.

[@MsSarahJ56]

Omgoodness I lived in a town in Colorado That is showing early early signs of that.

[@Lainer1]

Nailed it .Arizonan here.

[@discovertombstone]

Tombstone is about 5,000 Ft elevation. It's WAY cooler than Tucson and Phoenix. I can drive to Sierra Vista in the same amount of time or less than driving to a Walmart in Southern Cal (Where I used to live). We are in the low 80's right now, 81 at 3pm in fact. We actually get a dusting of snow during the winters a couple of times each year. 😉

[@Batlas]

I was surprised to see tombstone as #1. I guess back in the day it was wild, but now its rough. Ive taken friends and family when they come and everytime everyone prefers bisbee.

[@TinaDixonSmith]

Old West towns have such unique charm! They offer a slower pace of life, which can be perfect for retirement or just getting away from the hustle. Great list!

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

Virginia City, NV! We’re a small mining town with a big drinking problem! Lived here for several years. We love it!

[@Jaded7981]

It kind of got a black eye during Hot August Nights.

[@frankb821]

Now you're talkin' my language, pardner. I live in Tucson and we love our old west rough and tumble towns!

[@landeeld9596]

Me too!

[@ettaplace6716]

Yes we certainly do !!🎉❤

[@sheritamac87]

Yay! Silverton!!! I live in Durango and we all love Silverton!!

[@hideawayhomesllc5103]

Sure! You live in Durango because you wouldn't want to live in Silverton. I live near Keystone but wouldn't want to live or retire in Leadville. Been to both many times, but live or retire there? Nope. Briggs simply needs to use a different headline.

[@sheritamac87]

@@hideawayhomesllc5103 I would live in Silverton in a heartbeat! Almost bought a restaurant there. I’m 55, if I could afford to retire right now, I would move there.

[@Missty_Day]

I visited south Colorado last year from Texas. I took a train from Durango to Silverton. I was so in love. Colorado is breathtaking! Loved Durango’s downtown area. Silverston was cute, but I thought it’s more secluded than Durango.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

We stayed two nights in Cody, WY just last year. Loved it. Had some great meals and saw a rodeo. Very memorable.

[@carolmockler3321]

My husband and I went to Bandera, TX last winter while staying with relatives in San Antonio. What a cool little town. I could easily live there.

[@zbynekcodykolacek]

Hey Briggs, your sense of humor , seamlessly incorporated into your videos is awesome. Fantastic .

[@ChaoticDestiny1]

I visited Virginia City Nevada. It was amazing and I would love to live there. Close enough to both Reno and Carson City

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

We’ve lived in VC for a few years. Absolutely love it!

[@TheGeoScholar]

Intersection fact about Bandera, TX: Bandera, TX was founded as a Polish settlement. Polish immigrants built St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

[@pjlee2053]

It’s a beautiful area!!

[@CBPunisher1900]

lots of towns in texas and northern mexico are founded by Germans, polish and italians but not in the same numbers as the east coast and midwest.

[@loriloristuff]

Bandera is MAGNIFICENT! But please don't move there.

[@TheGeoScholar]

@@loriloristuff Why would you not want me to move to Bandera, TX?

[@robertcoren7318]

My ancestors founded Panna Maria, Texas, the first Polish settlement in North America. Looking forward to visit Bandera sometime. Even at 900 people, it’s much larger than Panna Maria.

[@ericcox6764]

I'm currently working security for a movie set for a production that Kevin Costner is doing here in Southern Utah. I'm watching an old western town while they are away from production. It's not really an old western ghost town town, but the conditions are the same as what they would have been back then. It's a boring assignment, but I'm still having a good time here!

[@mwebb3014]

Very cool! Enjoy!

[@Milestonemonger]

You'll have great stories to tell later.

[@Lainer1]

Last season Of his series finally?

[@brianmatthews4149]

That's a cool gig heck just enjoy it like a vacation.

[@lanalorenzen]

I live in St George. Some of the most beautiful state and federal parks in the world are here!! It’s my life’s work to get the word out!!😊

[@tungteo1190]

Thanks

[@WorldAccordingToBriggs]

Thank you

[@jbejaran]

This one definitely needs a follow up. Every city in the list belongs there, but so do Ouray, CO, Butte, MT, Bodie, CA, and about six to ten different towns along California Highway 49 in the Gold Country.

[@jamosgarage9006]

Ouray is awesome.

[@michelle1311]

Oatman, Arizona! Its a cool little town, with friendly donkeys which are descendants of the original donkeys who were set free when the mine closed. Between Bullhead City and Lake Havasu city. We took the topock highway, along route 66 to get there. Worth the drive 😊

[@Rikrik1138]

A couple honorable mentions would be Cody Wyoming and Medora North Dakota, both holding on to their Wild West heritage.

[@bukboefidun9096]

Yes !

[@Idrem4Jeni]

Cody Wyoming should be #1

[@anthonyjensen6059]

Can’t believe Cody wasn’t in the list

[@bukboefidun9096]

@@Rikrik1138 actually Briggs had Cody in a recent video of nice small towns, that's probably why he didn't include it here.

[@billcoley4426]

Medora is a gem. Theodore Roosevelt National Park is very slept on.

[@PMP5240-e3i]

Ive been to Jerome, Leadville, Jackson, Silverton and Virginia City.. Bisbee n Tombstone are just 3 hours away.. great list!

[@kelleybrown840]

My mom is buried in Dodge City 💙 Her parents had a huge wheat farm back in the 40’s that is still in our family today.

[@MrJonreed7]

Tombstone is a cool town to spend a day.

[@jasonmay2023]

I LOVE Tombstone! We go there at least once a year

[@boomertuxx]

Went there as a kid back in the 80s

[@rcjo2]

Leavenworth, Washington is a famous Bavarian style village in the Cascade mountains. The alpine style restaurants serve German beer and food. Be sure to go in winter. They go all out with Christmas lights and decorations. There's even a nutcracker museum! Don't miss this German jewel on the Wenatchee River, and bring your lederhosen!

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

Hey, Briggs! Great video. Looks like you will have to produce a second volume.

[@janetr5929]

Jerome is a cool little town. I love spending the day walking around. It’s extremely expensive now to live there. I’m about an hour away.

[@groverearp2600]

The video does capture how steep the Jerome AZ. mountain side is .

[@mooseknuckle_4474]

To answer the video question, Helen, GA. Octoberfest is about to be insane. One road in and one road out, bars and restaurants all over. A river right thru the middle of town.

[@KiltedVeteran]

I live near Deadwood. Fun fact, the last brothel in the town finally closed down in 1980.

[@Punacat101]

Really loved this video!!!! Thanks!

[@AaronKelley1969]

As I remember, Virginia City was the nearest large city near the Ponderosa Ranch.

[@MissKittysWildWestAdventurers]

Loved this list! You mentioned a few of my favorites and ones I, myself, have done stories on.

[@robertelliot4420]

That sounds really interesting. Gonna have to check out your channel for wild West.😊

[@olivianatwick7603]

Being a native of Wyoming of course I am drawn to the Cowboy towns in Wyoming of which there are many. I would not have picked Jackson but there are others that I feel would be more appropriate on your list I would pick towns in Wyoming such as Cody Tensleep and Sheridan. You could also I think put Laramie on that list and Cheyenne.

[@emeraldfox7175]

Kool thanks luv

[@bukboefidun9096]

I was almost expecting to see Elko Nevada. It is a classic Western town. I also like Gunnison Colorado and Las Vegas New Mexico as classic Western locales. Rawlings Wyoming also rates as classic Western. Rock Springs Wyoming is very Western

[@Jaded7981]

I was in Las Vegas NM a couple of months ago. I would have liked to have found it 40 years ago. I had no idea that it was so beautiful.

[@bukboefidun9096]

@Jaded7981 Red Dawn was filmed in Las Vegas NM over 40 years ago

[@julieshelby8977]

I just went to Virginia City Nevada a week ago for the first time. It was super cool!

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

Welcome! We’ve lived here for a few years. Absolutely love it!

[@tombstonegabby]

If the Comstock Cowboys are still doing shows at the Bucket of Blood, that's some real entertainment.

[@MPerski]

Virginia City is a pretty cool place, lots of history, and a huge mining heritage. Not far from Carson City, worth a day trip 👍🏻 “Bucket of Blood” tavern is a must see stop. But Deadwood, South Dakota is the coolest old west town. Almost feels like the late 1800’s … Wild Bill Hickok (aces & 8’s) and Calamity Jane makes it worth the trip. Especially if you take in Mount Rushmore not too far away.

[@a-liberal-patriot]

Isn't Calamity Jane buried next to Wild Bill?

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

We’ve lived in Virginia City for a few years. Absolutely love it!

[@shelleekurtz4842]

I ❤ the Bucket of Blood Saloon!

[@emeraldfox7175]

​@a-liberal-patnoriot

[@AlbieMcque]

Fantastic a new video. Just in time for some of my Ballparks 🌭 gonna scarf several of these with Mustard Relish Ketchup while enjoying some education.

[@CybeleCotter]

We lived on Las Vegas, NM, where both Doc Holiday and Jesse James hung their hats.

[@heidimarchant5438]

I've been thru there cool town. We stopped at a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant where they apparently just filmed a scene for a movie, wobbly tables and all, best Mexican food I ever had!

[@jpking51]

Yes. I was disappointed that none of these were in NM.

[@Lainer1]

Longmire!

[@OrsonBuggy1958]

Leavenworth, WA. It's a Bavarian themed town

[@Marcelmopartruckguy]

Been there and LOVED it and I’m from BC (Canada)lol

[@JPPW1982]

I have been wanting to visit Leavenworth. I just imagine it's so neat.

[@Jacob-he1lg]

As for your question, Pella, IA is a cool little town with a heavy Dutch heritage. They have several windmills and a tulip festival. It’s also where they make Pella Windows. I think they have a building code where the buildings must be made of brick, to include gas stations and other businesses that usually use the cheapest construction possible.

[@megb9700]

I used to like Black Hawk, CO before the gambling industry started. I think my favorite is still Santa Fe NM. The history and art in NM goes back in millennium, like from the beginning of time.

[@a-liberal-patriot]

Santa Fe is also the oldest and still operating capitol in the US.

[@birdman9043]

I have been to the back streets of Bandera, Tx. did some heavy duty drinking listening to Archy Blue.

[@brucejohnson7944]

Love the video. My only correction if I was going to make one as I would pick some other town in Wyo other than Jackson.

[@tashayar75]

I would have gone with Cody or Dubois, maybe even Sheridan.

[@Lainer1]

@@tashayar75 Longmire fan here. I agree.

[@Jaded7981]

@@Lainer1 Longmire was filmed in various places in New Mexico.

[@everettbarham4922]

Virginia City Montana is a well preserved historical old western town. Definitely worth visiting.

[@michelleschroeder8125]

Add Medora, ND to your next western video. President Roosevelt had a home here which is located in the Theodore Roosevelt Park (North and South Unit of the Badlands). It even has a musical every night from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Enjoy the Bully Pulpit Golfing!

[@ettaplace6716]

I loved this ❤!! Thanks for all the info too …

[@stevemoore9951]

GREETINGS FROM THE PPRC GREAT VIDEO TODAY, REALLY ENJOYED IT.🇺🇸🍺🍺

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

I've been to Dodge City. It isn't what it used to be. Bisbee is awesome. And you can't beat Bodie, Caifornia.

[@joinjen3854]

Montana, Wyoming, Idaho etc have some really cool old time towns.

[@andreadowty9803]

Frankenmuth MI

[@ScatRiverbend]

Briggs Videos are the best!!!🎉

[@wilmapedrosa2763]

I love these towns in USA

[@sheneiaparks4745]

The Alpine town near me is called Helen, GA

[@eriksrigley9026]

Levingworth Washington is a great Bavarian town. Wine 🍷 food and beer

[@dennisburnam1826]

I believe the the way Tombstone got its name was from when one first prospectors went to looking for gold/silver someone told him that about the only thing he would find would be a tombstone!

[@tombstonegabby]

A larger than life statue of Ed has been placed in the city park.

[@buckq.whilde3280]

Kimgsburg Ca. Should do a historical on Fresno. Very colorful history in this area.

[@John-ls2gp]

Tombstone is the coolest place I have ever visited. It's been 28yrs but I'll bet it hasn't changed. Literally stepped back in time to when the "Duke" hung out there or further back to "Doc" and the Earps. A world of its own.

[@ashlynnann95]

Silverton CO in the summer is heaven on Earth. I love that little town!

[@ermandowney2859]

I live close to a town called Muenster, Texas. They even have a glockenspiel clock.

[@evanyeagered.d.9604]

I graduated high school from Saint Jo, Texas. Well familiar with Muenster.

[@richardsanty9063]

Germantown Wisconsin. near Milwaukee.

[@loriloristuff]

But go to the Relish supper club and avoid touristy Old Germantown...unless you're a tourist. 😉 Naw, go to Von Rothenburg Bier Garten.

[@LoNasheOhio]

Minneapolis Minnesota is waaaaay better

[@Orangeshebert]

You spoke of many towns I’ve visited. Good job!

[@jamosgarage9006]

Silverton, Colorado is so cool. It's just isolated due to mountain passes.

[@drivingwithricks]

3:32 Leadville my old stomping grounds. Still a beautiful city.

[@badventures3895]

Came here to see if Virginia City was on the list and you did not disappoint. We’ve lived in Tahoe and now have a house about 30 min east of VC. The weekend following Labor Day, (this weekend as a matter of fact) there are camel and ostrich races. They parade the camels through the streets and into saloons 😳😂 It’s great fun! Always some quirky event there.

[@mxcope]

Great video. Clifton, AZ is another cool old mining town...has a river that runs through it.

[@jf6395]

thank god you didnt put any Montana towns on this video....we appreciate that

[@guillermo3564]

Agreed

[@debhawk8094]

I’ve been to Jerome AZ a few times. Close enough to Sedona and Prescott if you want to visit.

[@chuckschaefer9477]

I live near Tombstone. The saying is actually: "Tombstone - the town too tough to die".

[@lesliegould29]

I was born in Dodge City, Kansas.

[@danziegner]

Wyatt and Morgan Earp arrived in Deadwood from Wichita in the early Fall, 1876. Morgan did not want to stay over the Winter and went back to Kansas. Wyatt stayed until the Spring of 1877 and then went to Dodge City. Wyatt arrived in Tombstone in December, 1879.

[@cindihinrichs858]

loved this one! Becoming my fave

[@tedjohnson4451]

Tonopah, NV [plus] the other Nevada desert towns have very Interesting Mining History, Museums ect.

[@tombstonegabby]

Used to get a good breakfast at the Ban¢ Club.

[@hiviolet007]

I love Virginia City! That’s where my wedding was.🥰

[@Vic-ok2pp]

How could you do Virginia City and not mention Bonanza. The stars of that show used to visit.

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

Right? We live in VC. We named our cat Hoss.

[@brianmatthews4149]

You could tour that house years ago . I think they tore it down.

[@Tonya704]

Appreciate your continued dedication to helping average folks try to build wealth and not get rekt in the process, I love your confidence so keep shrugging off the naysayers. Your experience is clear and I look forward to your pragmatic and bullish viewpoints in a world that’s increasingly easy to get caught up in the constant negativity and bearish sentiment.... Long & short-term trading is generally safer, allowing investors to weather market volatility. I have managed to grow a nest egg of around 100k to a decent 432k in the space of a few months... I'm especially grateful to Evelyn Infurna, whose deep expertise and traditional trading acumen have been invaluable in this challenging, ever-evolving financial landscape.

[@BestoFornitero]

As a newbie, what do I need to do? How can I invest, on which platform? If you know, please share. I'm new to this, please how can I contact her?

[@Tonya704]

Can't share much here, I take guidance from Evelyn Infurna a renowned figure in her industry with over two decades of work experience. I'd suggest you research her further on the web.

[@Tonya704]

SHE’S MOSTLY ON TELEGRAMS APPS WITH THE BELOW NAME.

[@Tonya704]

@Infurnaevely1

[@BestoFornitero]

I searched for her complete name on the internet and located her page. I then sent an email and scheduled a meeting to converse with her; now, I'm awaiting her response.

[@Richard-st8ds]

Tombstone looks amazing ❤👍😁

[@user-sk5nq7dk6i]

Briggs, loved this one!

[@dennisw.truman3325]

Good Afternoon Briggs! Have a great day! 🎚️🇺🇸🪖👮‍♂️

[@annhowcroft9493]

We drove through Jackson hole, my husband wouldn't stop as he said it was just a tourist trap.

[@NoahsGoldSilverArk]

He’s an idiot then.

[@Aztlan187]

Solvang..its a Danish town in Santa Barbara Ca..beautiful spot full of bakeries,bars and restaurants.

[@cece2347]

Hold my beer, Broken Nose Scottie? Gotta love a name like that

[@Weather_Nerd]

Really should do a video just covering the gold rush and mining towns of California’s Highway 49. Such an underrated part of the most beautiful state in the country. Most only want to talk about the major metros, ocean, and Tahoe.

[@brendacampos5971]

I totally agree with you. Jamestown with the huge train museum, Columbia with their wooden sidewalks and stage coach rides. Angels camp and Murphy’s plus many more and along Highway 49. You could stop and read the signs that tell about the history. It’s very cool; good suggestion. Highway 49 is located in California at the foothills of the sierra Nevada mountain range.

[@johnpanko9118]

Like your style, Like your production-------Good Luck

[@joinjen3854]

Jackson Wyoming is now the retreat of the One Worlders. You needed to see it 40+ years ago.

[@juliejensen7370]

Solving, CA for sure. Little Denmark in the Santa Ynez Mountains near Santa Barbara.

[@SpenceCurry]

Prosser wa. The end of the trail for the old west. Prosser maintains the old west flavor with safe well maintained town and friendly people

[@luvslogistics1725]

I love our history!

[@MichaelChristopherson-g4e]

Leavenworth, Washington.

[@TheGeoScholar]

I've been to Tombstone. It's quite an interesting place.

[@scottjoseph9578]

Las Vegas, NEW MEXICO in the 1870s and early 1880s made Virginia City look tame.

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

Really?

[@lynleewillette9257]

Lynden, WA... charming Dutch community.

[@a-liberal-patriot]

Yup! I live about 20 miles south of Lynden, enjoy going up there.

[@jennettea.7807]

Poulsbo, WA has a Norwegian theme. I recommend Sluy’s Bakery, Vikingfest, and Julfest. They also have many other community events like an arts walk and a half marathon in October.

[@zbynekcodykolacek]

Today, Leadville is a great gateway for backcountry skiers, hikers, campers, bikers …

[@lostribe5130]

I visited Jerome in about 1972. There was only one occupied town building then and I think it was a gift shop or bookstore or both.

[@JacobPaul-n6p]

Retirement becomes truly fulfilling when you possess two essential elements: ample financial resources and a meaningful purpose in life. Make prudent investment choices to secure good returns and ensure a comfortable retirement.

[@Lewistonwilliams-f5i]

Rising prices have affected my intention of retiring at 62, working part-time, and building my savings. I'm worried about whether individuals who weathered the 2008 financial crisis found it less challenging than my current situation. The stock market's volatility, coupled with a reduced income, is making me anxious about having enough for retirement.

[@Kin-28-8]

You are completely right, Advisors have information and paths that are not disclosed to the public.. I profited £560k in 2022 under the tutelage of my Fiduciary-counselor. Am I selling? Absolutely not.. I am going to sit back and observe how this all plays out.

[@Thompson-e7h]

I've been thinking about going that route. I have a lot of stocks that I have maintained, but they are beginning to lose value, so I'm not sure if I should hold onto them or sell them. I feel hiring your investment coach would make it easier to restructure my portfolio.

[@Kin-28-8]

“Jessica Lee Horst”, is the licensed advisor I use. Just research the name. You’d find necessary details to work with a correspondence to set up an appointment.

[@berniceburgos-]

I looked up her full name online and found her page. I emailed and made an appointment to talk with her; hopefully, she gets back to me.

[@dragonawakens2308]

I actually want to check out a lot of these towns when I start exploring America

[@donnacarter2617]

Germansville, Pa About 20 min away in the country and Allentown, Pa. Beautiful country. But of course we also have ....... Intercourse, Pa down by Lancaster.....I do not have to say much about that one...without it you and I wouldn't be here.....hahaha😂😮🎉

[@buckshot6481]

I miss the West, I look back at Ft Bliss and El Paso in the early 80's with fondness.

[@jortega936]

13:35 - Lindsborg, KS: Huge Swedish, Nordic, and Scandinavian heritage as well as their biennial celebration of both the town's and civilians' roots in Scandinavian culture and demographic

[@akgobears]

Surprised that Drango wasnt mentioned along with Silverton....I do an annual trip to Virginia City when visiting Lake Tahoe or sometimes even Reno...Love the little festivals the town has annually...Mountain Oyster festival...Camel races (big bike run) Outhouse races, Chili cookoff, just to name a few....

[@FireStick-nu4pn]

I live in VC. The outhouse races are hilarious! The Hill Climb is coming up. Bunch of fast cars racing the truck route.

[@akgobears]

@@FireStick-nu4pn Do they have the Hippy Days festival anymore ???

[@deirdre108]

Poulsbo WA-mainly Norwegian followed by other Scandinavians.

[@pattyolson3842]

This one was kinda cool!

[@colettesintuatives9256]

Deadwood is awesome

[@porkchop955]

Is Lincoln, NM too small for consideration? It's near ghost town status but is incredibly well preserved.

[@tombstonegabby]

And further up the hill, Fort Stanton.

[@JaySmith-pv2mw]

Fredericksburg, TX, and Helen, GA.

[@FantogemeStudios]

Solvang California. Not sure if it's Swedish or Norwegian, but a group of immigrants decided to build a community just like their homeland in Southern California.

[@georgemitchell1980]

Danish