I'm from Birmingham. There are parts in town that are bad. But most of those houses are deserted because the parents owned them and the kids moved away because no one stayed the houses got ran down. Many of these are for sale thru the state for back taxes. Many of us buy these houses fix them up for others to live in. We also need to remember Birmingham was a huge steel mill town but when the mills were being shut down Birmingham lost a huge amount of jobs. The city was also forced to file bankruptcy not many years ago because of the new sewer system fiasco. With no industry and no money the younger generation that could left bad policy high crime and no direction is what you have left here

@mrcaf

Жыл бұрын

The County NOT THE CITY filed for bankruptcy. PLEASE LOOK IT UP. GET THE FACTS STRAIGHT!!!!!!!!!

@melissalynn5774

11 ай бұрын

yeah...I'm in Dayton, Ohio. We have empty GM plants that employed lots of folks. $25 an hour some baby boomers made working for GM. So sad.

@jonkore2024

11 ай бұрын

Terrible wooden construction in a hot humid area they were dilapidated just after they were built

@joanyow7952

11 ай бұрын

is this really B'ham or is it Fairfield, Tarrant or , Ensley?

@Karen-pq3vl

11 ай бұрын

@@joanyow7952 It's all really lumped together to people in the suburbs that are scared of any city. Birmingham is a wonderful place with some beautiful homes and historic buildings and 5 star restaurants. I don't think anyone can name a large city that doesn't have places you might avoid at night . That said 70% of the crime in this county is domestic. They want to talk about a bad city. They should try to talk about the Capital of Alabama Montgomery it's bad.

We had a slum area in Florida where I live. The local police started a Cops and Kids program using a community center. Cops donated their time, helped kids after school with homework, provided computers, video games, sports anything to keep them off the streets and form a trust with the police. They reformed the hud housing with a community beautification program using tax money for supplies and volunteers for the work. They established a law where no felons were allowed to live there or even get caught "staying or dealing " from the Apts or the tenant would be evicted. It turned the community around with reduced crime and the residents were proud of their community helping to keep it that way. Now it's booming with new local businesses and tourism, employing locals and getting them out of poverty! When a community, no matter how badly it is, pulls together it can change DRAMATICALLY ❤❤

@orlandogustar1717

5 ай бұрын

You got it right.

@LockedandLoaded777

5 ай бұрын

That the most AMERICAN that I have read.

@user-rd9er1or9q

5 ай бұрын

That's what it takes to keep cites together build no up people to care and do their no part and want to give to their cites and not take everything that's not nail down and tear up destroy everything they put their hands on .stop sitting around watching the other man to take and destroy what he has work to build up and. Move on to another city and always try to ble.Goveent.for.thimg they do and don't do the city can't do everything and it can't change people they have to be responsible for their cites tear down 1 city and move to the next to do the same thing and live the same way I don't feel sorry for them they don't have to live that way and blame it on some 1.. else The city the Government somebody

@mikejohn0088

4 ай бұрын

The best and only way to outcome this is to know who the enemy is.

I can understand a community being poor, but it doesn't have to be trashy...I've been to Mexico and even in the poorest villages, it doesn't look like this...what's lacking is pride.

@dcwallace9930

11 ай бұрын

I go back to my saying that you do not respect what you do not earn. When people are given things, those things get abused because the people know that next month there will be another check in the mailbox. smh

@b.g.bbeezo100

11 ай бұрын

😂😂😂 BOY i seen dem tin shacks down there dey got people in Mexico living in dam mud huts FOH

@fuita227

11 ай бұрын

@@b.g.bbeezo100 No different than anywhere else...people live like they choose to live...can you do better than a mud house...no excuses...not in this century.

@factsofmatter6513

7 ай бұрын

Yea mexicos poorest villages are pristine I’m sure.

@donduck6621

4 ай бұрын

thats what feeding the pigeons does

I'm from Birmingham and I can remember when all of the places that you drove through were very nice. They began to decline in the 1980's when the industry work relocated overseas.

@elligilberg1564

Жыл бұрын

Thanks to Reaganomics

@malikabrown7439

11 ай бұрын

@elligilberg1564 yes!!!

@gumby2241

11 ай бұрын

​@@elligilberg1564yeah, like you drats did anything different.

@gregrobertson9957

3 ай бұрын

Right when I got out of there! I loved it in the 70s and 80s though. They have a great food scene, the people are it's best asset and they are good people, hard working and innovative. Boot strap type people. I'd live in Mountain Brook or Vestavia, or maybe a country town with a nice spread - probably the better idea.

I m from Germany. For me these videos are very interesting. I can get a completely different view of the USA here than what is shown here on television. I especially liked the interview videos with the people from the hood, it explained a lot to me about the connections and the circumstances. It's a really great channel and I'm always happy to be able to immerse myself in the USA and, above all, to get to know the country and its people. In the next two years I would like to travel to the USA, but not to do a typical sightseeing-tour, but rather to be in places where I can talk to people and find out how they live and what moves them.

@staralioflundnv

Жыл бұрын

The United States of America is very very DIVERSE but stiII Iacks in equity. Not every individuaI has the same mindset or experience base, so it makes it chaIIenging to find the right fit at the right time in the right Iocation for peopIe. CurrentIy there is much division due to ideoIogies and poIitics. Cheers from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

@AliciaM5555

Жыл бұрын

Just be very careful. 🙏🙏

@invaderzim1265

Жыл бұрын

Well an american here. We're doing the best we can to truly unite, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. To truly live out the founding fathers creed, that all men are created equal endowed by our CREATOR. GOD help us all....😢🙏 america is the last free nation on earth and where a man can own his guns and no king to be subjected to, except JESUS HIMSELF AND HIM ALONE.

@invaderzim1265

Жыл бұрын

And remember, sir, as the LORD Jesus taught, be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. Jesus also said, do unto others as you would like others do unto you. GOD help you.🏡🙏

@annpalmer7470

Жыл бұрын

The USA is a vast country and the majority of people are well worth knowing. I hope you experience that in your travels but please get as much information and guidance as you can before venturing out.

I’m from Birmingham, born and raised. Thanks for showcasing my hometown, both the good and bad parts. Bham still has a ways to go, but it’s come a long way in the last 10 years. Affording a house in Birmingham is quite easy if you have a middle class income, especially compared to Los Angeles where I’m living now.

@Puretea4711

Жыл бұрын

from one shithole to an even bigger one

@MegaBait1616

Жыл бұрын

Why would anyone want to move to California let alone LA ??

@verlax8956

Жыл бұрын

@@MegaBait1616 because of the recent server event apparently god is coming there and beating him will give people level 10 golden armor

@verlax8956

Жыл бұрын

@@MegaBait1616 that is also why there are so many homeless people they are just camping it out in the streets and waiting for the event to start

@MegaBait1616

Жыл бұрын

@@verlax8956 , pretty much.... Plus local government doesn't do anything about it.. It's drawing people far away..

Hi Nick. I spent part of my childhood in a suburb of Birmingham called Irondale. It was back in the 70’s and I had a great time, but I remember seeing abject poverty right outside of my school bus window. I have been watching you on KZread for a few years and I just want to express how much I enjoy your channel. In my opinion, you are like a new De Tocqueville. Traveling around our nation. Holding up a mirror to our reality.

@arthurgearheard4701

Жыл бұрын

This is where EWTN is based!

@robertkey4981

Жыл бұрын

Irondale is horrible now 😢

@omcincy7622

Жыл бұрын

Many US cities are like this now. I grew up in a mid-size rust belt city back when it was booming. Detroit was probably the most booming city in the US back then, kind of went from first to worst. I saw a great documentary about how it happened and how bad it's gotten. At the end they gave a chilling message, if a booming city like Detroit could fall so hard, so can others. And sure enough, that's what happened to my home town. When I was younger everyone wanted to move to California. But look at LA now. I also moved west, made decent money and lived pretty good, rents and restaurants were reasonable, it was all good. Not any more. The income gap keeps getting wider and squeezing the middle class. And the poorest people have taken all the hits pretty hard, first the crack epidemic wrecked many inner cities, then the great recession, opioid epidemic, then Covid. Being born in a hood with lousy schools is like starting life with 2 strikes against a person. Add in weakened family structure, gangs, drugs, guns everywhere, etc., not a pretty picture. JFK and RFK tried to change things, create better education and vocational training to move young people from welfare to work. We need to start focusing on their goals again instead of throwing young people in prison for non-violent crimes. The US prison system is not focused on rehabilitation like the Scandinavian countries are. Here the most kids learn in prison is how to be more skilled criminals. But families need to do their part too.

@anneconnor8964

Жыл бұрын

Yes. We went to visit the EWTN studios about ten years ago and the neighborhood around there was very rough.

@daiseyashley8027

Жыл бұрын

There are neighborhoods like that all over America look at San Francisco people living in front of building on the sidewalk Perhaps we should give all the street people some of these places in return they lea up the sites Perhaps some donations to make homes for forgotten population I grew up in the country we were not unhappy no money but we graduated a lot of people most went to college try to talk to the people sometimes all this can be solved if we stop thinking that be poor is a disease try giving sometimes

Hi Nick. I agree that homelessness is a big problem in California. I grew up in San Bernardino and the homelss problem has gotten really bad. Back in the 60's I rarely ever saw a homeless person on the streets. When Reagan signed the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, Patton State Hospital was defunded and 90% of the hospital was closed down and the patients were rehomed. We were very thankful when a family friend, who had the mind of a 5 five old, was rehomed with a family that treated her very well. Many of the mentally ill that was rehomed made a run for freedom as soon as they could. They hit the streets of southern California. A section of Patton remained open for the criminally insane. There was also a few buildings that they kept open for services for senior citizens. But Patton was not the only hospital to close. When the Vietnam War ended in 1975 and our men came home, there was no mental hospital that they could go to for long term treatment. There were hardly any mental health clinics for the people so the problems with their mental illnesses worsened. Their families did the best that they could, but drugs and alcohol tore the families apart. So, many of the men hit the streets. Thousands of our veterans are the homeless that we see on the streets of L.A., San Francisco, Baltimore, Chicago and other large cities. Many homeless from all over America come to the West Coast for the warmer weather. Hundreds of homeless people die every year from hypothermia. If you ask a homeless person in L.A. or San Francisco where they are from, most will not say California. Because most are from SMALL TOWN, USA. So Nick, how about doing a video in California with the homeless? Thanks!

@mritzs5142

Жыл бұрын

Nick did an entire series on California and homeless I had moved from LA and I can testify that he went all out on his research check it out

@suzyq5675

Жыл бұрын

@@mritzs5142 I saw it. And I know that he is from San Bernardino.

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

Suzy I used to cut through Patton on my walk home from school

@suzyq5675

Жыл бұрын

@@NickJohnson I saw the San Bernardino video months ago. You lived close to the Walmart on E. Highland? I used to work there and at San Manuel Indian Casino (my daughter worked there for 18 years). I know that they recently changed their name to Yaamava'' Resort and Casino. I saw that you showed Patton. After reading my post I realized that I didn't phrase the second sentence right. At first I put that I lived in California and then changed it to San Bernardino to be more honest and accurate. I should have put the word "too" after San Bernardino to show that I too, used to live there, but I didn't think to add it. I watch your other videos, but have a hard time watching the Berdoo video. You drove by a house that I used to live in. Wow! Bad memories hit me like a ton of bricks! And Norton Air Force Base. We cried when they closed it down. But downtown is really sad! I asked if you could do a video on the homeless in L.A. and San Francisco. And ask them real questions like you did in this video. Where they are from, why they came to Cali, and if they want to go back home. A real in-depth video. A video not like other videos. I'm sure their stories are very sad. And many want to talk about their lives.

@tonyjones1560

Жыл бұрын

Sad fact: there’s a park (Lafayette, if memory serves) across the street from the White House. On any given night, about 20% of the homeless people camped out there are military veterans…

If I had to choose between Portland and Birmingham I would choose Birmingham all day long.

@jonlouis2582

Жыл бұрын

Good point.

@JJacks920

Жыл бұрын

No way. I'll take Portland anyday. We have our problems, but nothing like this.

@MegaBait1616

Жыл бұрын

@shoutashimizu123 , Good stay there........

@bigmoney3020

Жыл бұрын

I'll take Portland

@highbrass3749

Жыл бұрын

@翔太清水 I hope one day you’ll get a job.

I live here in Birmingham. I love it. But it’s still Alabama. We are an extremely poor state with not much economic opportunity and our education system is one of the worst in the country. So it’s really tough for people to get out of poverty. Alabama is fantastic if you have money but horrible if you don’t.

@frogfan583

Жыл бұрын

We need to get off the social issues before it destroys our nation and us. If I ran for president, I would have an economic plan of make what you can, buy from overseas what you can not. This is the problem with America. Why are we not making our own shoes, clothes, silverware, dishes, and the list could go on. Even our food is coming in from overseas. Each year we grow less and less food crops. Each of these jobs should come with a pension a person could really retire on. The politicians enjoy giving out handouts that keep you from improving or even having a future. The corporations do not even care if we spend money or not. The Target boycott, Ford boycott, North Face boycott and on, show this. The corporations would rather have politics over just providing a good or service one needs to buy. If they no longer care about us shopping and buying from them, then you can see why they no longer care about sending all the jobs overseas that supported families, kept crime low, and gave hope for a future. How much future can you have collecting food stamps?

@frogfan583

Жыл бұрын

Why is the state poor? Try no making what you can and buying everything from overseas. Money is flowing out of the nation. The nation is broke.

@frogfan583

Жыл бұрын

They brainwashed us to believe that we needed cheap overseas goods. They failed to tell you that if you had a good job that made good money for all classes of people, you could afford American made goods. You tell the people buy cheap, means you also tell the people to live cheap, expect handouts, and never be anything more.

@JonasMatthewBahta

Жыл бұрын

I agree, Mississippi and Kentucky are similar too, lots of poverty with little opportunity to get out of it, especially in eastern Kentucky where generations are in the same neighborhood physically and economically with little chance to get out of their condition.

@313barrygmail

Жыл бұрын

Yelawolf did it????

Here’s one fact about Birmingham, Alabama that most people don’t consider. It’s one of the worst cities in the entire world for being hit by violent tornadoes! Unfortunately, that’s not an exaggeration. I would never buy a house in that part of the country without either installing a tornado shelter in my house, or buying a house with a community storm shelter nearby. Birmingham has a long and tragic history of absolutely horrific and very deadly tornadoes!

@thegrinch304

11 ай бұрын

It's known for its long track F5 tornadoes.

@helena3631

11 ай бұрын

The ancestors wrecking havoc Alabama and Mississippi had some of the worst slavery

@bigfry5

10 ай бұрын

I grew up in Bham and we called the basement in our house the “tornado room”

@jeffreymitchell7405

10 ай бұрын

Thats the ancestors

@jeffreymitchell7405

10 ай бұрын

How can be a lot of crime when nobody there bunch of lies..

Nick, When I was a kid in Birmingham, US Steel had over 40,000 employees; now less than 2000; UAB Hospital is a very big employer. What used to be Birmingham started moving "over the mountain" in the 1960s. Now, what is really "Birmingham" is Hoover and points south in Shelby County, leaving Jefferson County and its poverty behind. Growth went down Highway 280 and I-65, to unincorporated areas around Alabaster and Chelsea, in various nice upscale communities such as Riverchase, Meadowbrook, Heatherwood, and others. This is where people with First World jobs live today in "Birmingham". The old Birmingham, powered by steel manufacturing, is like Detroit powered by auto manufacturing; not much left when the major employer leaves town.

@yelapa999

4 ай бұрын

That's somewhat similar to Portland, OR where the tech jobs, salary jobs, information based jobs and such moved over the West Hills and spread out into the neighboring river valley-Bethany, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, and Wilsonville. In fact, carve out downtown Portland and a narrow strip along the Willamette River northward, and the entire west side of the city is a completely different city than the east side-allowin' for some quibbles, sure..

@peaceoutbruh7085

2 ай бұрын

"Now, what is really "Birmingham" is Hoover and points south in Shelby County, leaving Jefferson County and its poverty behind." Funny way of saying "white flight"

@eddiegardner8232

2 ай бұрын

@@peaceoutbruh7085 It started as "white flight" back in the later 1960s, but I returned long enough to build a house there in Heatherwood in 1987, and noticed that a number of black families who could afford to move south did the same thing; there just weren't as many of them who could do so.

@peaceoutbruh7085

2 ай бұрын

​@@eddiegardner8232 lol I live in Birmingham. Everyone in homewood older than 50 can barely hide their disdain when you mention going over the mountain, acting like you'll be shot to death for walking through Avondale. They clutch their pearls at the thought of interacting with a black person. Try pulling the other one.

This is what our leaders are doing for America

@williamdodds1394

Жыл бұрын

Didn't Obama say the End of the Republic is never looking better wallah he made it happen.

@lkern6238

Жыл бұрын

They are not leaders...They are parasites.

@eternaldrunk

Жыл бұрын

capitalism

@DeanDewnuffun

Жыл бұрын

@eternal drunk study real facts please. America lost capitalistic policies in the 1960s. Since, only crony capitalism has been practiced. Want proof? The same politicians who ruled the US then are still ruling it today. You are one of many who are taken advantage of through your lack of knowledge.

@vicepresidentmikepence889

Жыл бұрын

Alabama, the quintessential Republican state

That is sad. However, I live in Connecticut, where the taxes are so high that the Secretary of the Treasury sold his home here and moved to Florida. Our neighbors sold and moved down South and they say they love it.

@benton-benton

Жыл бұрын

Same in Franklin county Ohio, Columbus suburbs. Need to get out of here because of property tax. What a waste to throw away thousands and thousands a year to entities that don't do a thing for me. Tired of it.

@myradioon

Жыл бұрын

I'm from the North and live in the South now. Taxes PAY for stuff you take for granted up there. Sidewalks. Cops. Libraries. A DMV that's not the last holdout business in an empty Mall with a leaking roof. State Healthcare. So many Yankees move down and move back - not just because they are aliens here - but because they are freaked out at living in the 70's.

@NewHaven203

Жыл бұрын

The amount of people leaving Connecticut for Florida is insane!

@jeffvanderwerf3391

Жыл бұрын

Do they have children in school? Sure, if people have the cash to send their kids to private schools, then they can live anywhere. But most people who send their kids to public schools are going to choose CT over FL.

@jonlouis2582

Жыл бұрын

@@jeffvanderwerf3391 No kids. Dogs and horses.

Thanks for showing a balanced view of my home. People with common sense, reaponsibility and a positive attitude can make a safe living and thrive here. If you look for trouble you will find if, but it can easily be avoided. Violent crime is a non-issue for people who don't engage in risky, illegal activities.

@shawnkelly695

Жыл бұрын

That goes for anywhere. Trouble meets trouble all the time.

@jimdep6542

4 ай бұрын

@@shawnkelly695 In Oakland, CA, violence and theft finds you.

@shawnkelly695

4 ай бұрын

@@jimdep6542 sure glad i dont live there. Small town white boy in a mostly white small town. Not much crime here. There is a small area of non white and thats the only street in town that cops are always there. Want to find trouble? Go to areas where its darker skin and there will be crime. Even when i lived in the city, the more color allowed in a neighborhood the more crime went up. My advice, find the whitest town and keep it that way and you will be just fine

We moved to the Bham area 5 years ago from DC. Such an improvement. Less people. Less expensive. And no snow. Sure, like every other metro area it has its issues. Find me a town without them. But there are no limits to what you can do here. Dining. Entertainment. Outdoor activities. Affordable housing. Best decision we could have made.

@FletchOfGod

8 ай бұрын

as someone from shelby county, i wish I got see snow

@jimdep6542

4 ай бұрын

I hear DC is not a good place to live these days

Birmingham is just like everywhere else. Its great if you have money.

@neo-vo9rp

3 ай бұрын

Some peoples lives revolve around money. It's a very sophomoric way of thinking.

The suburbs do not tell you how dangerous their area is because they want the value of the property to stay the same

I moved to Birmingham a few years ago and recognize some of those rough neighborhoods. I was lucky to find an affordable place in a nice quiet neighborhood near downtown. I think as long as the people remain diligent, which they seem to be, then it will continue to get better over time.

It was sad for me to hear that most people only want to hear the negative. All cities and towns have bad and good things about them and of course there are the places that will be more good or more bad. Personally, I like to hear everything and meet it down in the middle which I think you do a pretty good job of.

I've never been to Birmingham, but when looking for a new job in the steel industry lots of decent paying positions in my field came up. Your video solidifies that it's pretty damn split like the internet says. Depends on your income and area of living.

@chicagotom1643

Жыл бұрын

Steel is pumping there.

@teresabridges4239

Жыл бұрын

Exactly like every city I would love to know what city he’s from.

@83janell

Жыл бұрын

I live here and have all of my life. It is very split.

Maybe it’s just me, but I noticed that the houses from each of the class (definitely more noticeable in the lower class) have different designs. It’s like each decade they built different types of houses around neighboring houses with no type of uniformity. That’s really strange and kind of sad in the case of the lower class houses. That means generations per decade tried to renovate, redesign, or just build new housing only for them to be neglected, abused, or abandoned. It’s like witnessing a community and city collectively giving up after trying for so many decades.

@1968dogg

Жыл бұрын

Prison states tend to do that..............

It's like that all over the USA, not just the Deep South. I mean here in Ohio, you have real rich neighborhoods, middle class, and then poor all on the same street! Market Street in the Akron area is a perfect example. I think drug addiction has made it worse across the nation as a whole. People tend to live in a bubble. They will never acknowledge that their community can improve or that there's even need for change. I been to 48 states and it's pretty much the same.

You wonder why your states are poor? When they shut down most of the industry, and thought everyone would love doing service work, that is when states went poor, crime went up, and families really started to break apart. Not everyone wants to work in health care, flipping burgers (they now are going out of business), some want to make tires, cars, silverware, lumber. A lot of lumber is now being shipped in. The politicians of these states go to D.C. and beg for money they misuse. There are not enough good jobs. They complain about social security. Try providing good jobs with pensions one worked hard for. If almost everyone had a pension like they did in the fifties ( our booming era). By the Seventies, they were pushing American jobs out. Remember that, kiddies, when we old timers are gone.

@paytonpierce3318

8 ай бұрын

I’m 25 and it’s safe to say my generation will be the cause of the demise in our country….

I haven’t been to Birmingham but earlier this month I spent a week boating in Tennessee and Alabama. I found both States a lot of fun and the people really nice.

I haven’t made it through the gentleman’s interview, yet, but I’d add that a huge reason people struggle to find work is because of a lack of transportation. They have a few buses and taxis around here, but this city is far too spread out for its lack of public transportation. Not everyone has $100s to spend on Lyfts and ubers (it was $64 to travel from one side of my neighborhood to the other). Rideshares don’t even pick up in the hood.

@johnjohnson6327

Жыл бұрын

Ask yourself, why don't Uber and Lyft pick up in the hood? To be honest, it's because they don't wanna get robbed or killed for the twenty spot the drivers' got in his pocket. When hood people act like decent people then the rides will come.

@vtl3985

Жыл бұрын

Birmingham just added the Metro Express that takes people all around the city. There is transportation. Fact is the people would rather make excuses than get up and work. They people in the hoods are always waiting on a handout because they have been brainwashed to be that way.

@Karen-pq3vl

Жыл бұрын

Not everyone in the hood is out to rob you. I worked in the hood for years. It's full of elderly. It's also full of mental health issues which is a 9 month wait to get appointment. We also had tons of young kids that age out of the system turn 18 thrown to streets with absolutely no support system.

@sapphirelane1714

Жыл бұрын

@@johnjohnson6327 haha, duh. Still doesn’t make it fair for the well-behaved, hard working people in the hood who lack transportation. A few bad apples ruin it for everyone.

@sapphirelane1714

Жыл бұрын

@@vtl3985 what times of the day will that transportation be running? Are they adding new routes and safer bus stops? Catching a bus in Homewood vs Fairfield are two different scenarios.

We live in Alabama,we chose to live in a small town 50 miles outside the city ,we have chosen to avoid cities for 35 years..We saw it coming a long time ago.

I don’t know where you live Nick but there are many people in this country that would be thrilled to have a roof over their head.

I have lived here , most of my life. All the things you stated, are true. The schools like most older buildings, were closed due to asbestos. People here cry over old buildings, but don't want to, fund removal of asbestos. It will take my and the next generation, to die off before real change ever happens in Birmingham.

@invaderzim1265

Жыл бұрын

What you said is very true and heartbreaking. That's why I never considered birmingham. 💔

@davidbaker8762

Жыл бұрын

@@invaderzim1265 There are areas that are nice areas. The revitalization of Avondale is a sign, that my statement might be incorrect. It's good to see people from all walks of life , bring up an area, that is what we need.

@83janell

Жыл бұрын

Yep

@recalltolife3478

Жыл бұрын

Do you honestly think the generations that follow yours (after you die off, of course) will be any better? What planet do you live on?

@davidbaker8762

Жыл бұрын

@@recalltolife3478 I hope so, at that point, death, it won't matter and good luck

Dig the videos. I drive a semi through Birmingham. Those downtown overpasses are pretty cool at night. They got lights tucked under them that change colors.

@RoyGBiv-lc8tv

Жыл бұрын

Yeah those are cool

Birmingham does not look bad at all the city looks better than my immersible city I'm glad I'm moving out of the city of Memphis.

Thanks for the video! Unfortunately Birmingham has been getting bad press in an effort for publications to go viral. Lately Huntsville and Birmingham residents have admitted that the media does more to exaggerate how great/bad both cities are. Population loss is partly because projects such as Southtown has been demolished and the residents have been temporarily relocated to the outskirts until a mixed used facility is completed. The mayor has also approved a demolition budget for abandoned houses. An abandoned hospital is also being torn down so an amphitheater and other residences can be developed within the next 2-5 years. The mayor also has an initiative called the Birmingham promise which grants internships and tuition assistance to an in state school for all city school graduates, even with a lower GPA. Out of 2000 graduates this year, a record 524 received assistance.

@eattherich9215

Жыл бұрын

'... the residents have been temporarily relocated to the outskirts until a mixed used facility is completed.' I would like to think this will really happen BUT redevelopment often means gentrification where people are squeezed out because they cannot meet certain criteria.

@cawheeler27

Жыл бұрын

@@eattherich9215 in this case, the subsidized housing is being completed in the first phase. The market based housing is coming after. The city required this for the developers to be approved. We learned from the failures of other cities.

@nonino1644

Жыл бұрын

Huntsville has Redstone Arsenal army base.

@1968dogg

Жыл бұрын

America sends billions overseas all the time. Ask Ukraine.

"If you commit a crime, they hold it against you". Well, yes, that's how it should be. That's how it was before 2015. Perhaps, those who commit crime should go to places like NY or CA because, you can run amuck committing crime there and they won't hold it against you.

@nickchannel5364

Жыл бұрын

I hope you never make a mistake and are judged with your own code.

@hhbentee

Жыл бұрын

@@nickchannel5364 obviously, “crime” is very general.. it’s important to know what type of crime was committed

@tonyjones1560

Жыл бұрын

Depends on who you commit your crime against. “Street justice” is a definite thing in many places…

@rodeleon2875

Жыл бұрын

i think what he was referring to was that there is no way to redeem yourself once you screw up. and when everyone in your world is a criminal then its real easy to ruin your life early and just be absorbed by that culture. if so, he's correct. social/criminal justice could use some tweaking.

When the gentleman you interviewed stated that parents need to push the kids to get jobs, that is true. Values, rules and standards are important no matter what your income is. Bad parenting causes many bad outcomes as well. Things only get harder as people get older. Children should be taught that there are no handouts or easy routes and unless you have a large trust fund you will most likely struggle. Set them up for success not failure. Education, and hard work can change situations! There are many parents that do not parent. Times are challenging and everyone needs to do their very best in school, hobbies and jobs to have a productive life. Also people need to logically assess situations, don't put yourself in situations you cannot handle. Don't destroy your hopes and keep yourself down by continuing bad cycles. In a world where we have so much we can learn (we have the internet) people should be smarter and realize decisions matter. There are very few surprises based on poor decisions. If you get what I mean.

@frogfan583

Жыл бұрын

We need to get off the social issues before it destroys our nation and us. If I ran for president, I would have an economic plan of make what you can, buy from overseas what you can not. This is the problem with America. Why are we not making our own shoes, clothes, silverware, dishes, and the list could go on. Even our food is coming in from overseas. Each year we grow less and less food crops. Each of these jobs should come with a pension a person could really retire on. The politicians enjoy giving out handouts that keep you from improving or even having a future. The corporations do not even care if we spend money or not. The Target boycott, Ford boycott, North Face boycott and on, show this. The corporations would rather have politics over just providing a good or service one needs to buy. If they no longer care about us shopping and buying from them, then you can see why they no longer care about sending all the jobs overseas that supported families, kept crime low, and gave hope for a future. How much future can you have collecting food stamps?

@Bond.girl.007

Жыл бұрын

​@@frogfan583well stated 👏 👍

@peggymcdonald2677

Жыл бұрын

You are being way too Honest!!! Yes, parents should instill better values in their child but this is so easy to say when often times in the hood there are not two parents and sometimes not one. And parents have a harder time when role models at school become overwhelmingly important. In my opinion, inner-city schools are failing miserably. School should be a safe place where expectations, common courtesy and civility thrive, not defiance, jealousy, hostility and retribution. The teachers’ hands are tied, often by the very students they love and want to help the most. I certainly don’t have an answer, but I applaud the students who defy these negative attitudes and make something of themselves and become HAPPY, productive young people, in spite of the prevailing attitudes that could have pulled them down! I wish somehow there could be mentoring programs set up to work with troubled youth maybe? I have seen that help.

@drizzey680

Жыл бұрын

Their aren't any jobs for the youth, especially the Black kids. 🤡

@alipainting

Жыл бұрын

Jealousy is a problem as stated in this KZread. You can be a determined, ambitious, hard worker throughout life. But certain co-workers, family members, fellow school and college students will conspire to make you fail. Parents need to warn their kids and help them through these situations. Success isn't automatic.

Thanks for the videos. The interviews at the end are the most helpful in understanding Birmingham.

If I'm not mistaken, Birmingham was a steel hub in the South. If so, what happened there is the same as what happened to Gary and the rest of the Rust Belt.

@mikejohn0088

4 ай бұрын

Welcome home brain cells!

I lived there when I was young, it was great, 30 years ago has changed things, thanks Nick

Lived & worked all over Birmingham for 30 years. Still know lots of folks there. There is and always has been a lot of opportunity there. There are parts I wouldn't want to be after dark but no more than any other metro area. . You mentioned loss of population which is true but the entire metro area is growing like a weed. Birmingham proper is surrounded by a lot of other municipalities that limit it's growth tremendously.

@LILDREWZIVERT26

Жыл бұрын

@@TOCC50what💀💀💀💀💀

Thank you for shedding light on the problem in the city we need help here

Nick thanks for all you do. Your reporting and commentary is a gem. I enjoy seeing parts of America with statistics that I would never see or hear.

Reginald's crabs in the bucket explanation is spot on in my opinion. It happens in all ethnic lines. Some more violent than others.

Another Great job Nick Johnson ! Thanks again for you're time and efforts .

I really enjoyed the interviews and your style of engaging the folks you spoke with.

Expensive cars and run down homes... dude has 6 kids!!??? A vasectomy costs about $1,000....

@1MinuteFlipDoc

Жыл бұрын

i wonder how many mothers...

@chriskelly509

Жыл бұрын

@@1MinuteFlipDoc I never understand why people keep having kids that they can't afford

I was raised in New Orleans and traveled throughout the south. Your dead on with your assessment.😢

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

Yay

Nick love your videos learn so much about our city’s and states the good and bad!!! Thank you !!!

Another Great State Adventure From Nick Johnson, Just Love These, Much Love And Respect, Wendy

Thank you for the balanced view of my city. I think one important point you touched on was that Birmingham was a huge manufacturing hub. Unfortunately that made it a Rust Belt City when so much manufacturing moved overseas. In the early 80s, Birmingham was neck-and-neck with Flint, Michigan, for the nation's worst unemployment. Today, Birmingham has the lowest unemployment of any major metro in the country. That's because the city had to do the really hard work of transforming the economy and making foundational changes to the city's culture. The poverty is absolutely real. But with the slow return of industry, not to mention a diversifying economy, the opportunity is there as well. Don't sleep on Birmingham. We've worked really, really hard to make up for our past sins. We're not there yet, but we are definitely moving in the right direction.

Thanks for your videos Nick! I'm looking to get out of the suburbs of Columbus Ohio because of the hideously high property tax. And it will be going way up yet again next year because of the 3/6 yr reappraisals. I'm looking to move down south when I can because of low property tax and it's warmer in winter. Thanks again!

Great video lots of contrasts. Thanks for sharing.

Another fabulous video! Your stories are always so interesting and educational! Thanks Nick! 😃

I’m a retired Birmingham Fire/medic. The city has had its up’s and downs. But overall it’s come a long way. Not a lot to do entertainment wise but it’s not as bad as it was years ago. I’d take it over the cess pools like Chicago, Portland, La and on and on.

All the money spent on weapons for Ukraine could solve poverty in the USA overnight

@hippocreation

Жыл бұрын

No, it won’t. Money does not solve it. Crime and unruliness kills money.

@sixsentsoldiers

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Lets not forget the 2 bail outs. Every single politician needs to be sent home. VOTE NO INCUMBENT. Every time. If we did that, things would change in 10-15 years. Dramatically.

@mutiny_on_the_bounty

Жыл бұрын

Well, women need something to virtue signal about. Soooo.

@matttravers5764

Жыл бұрын

Only temporarily. Poverty can only be solved by kids being raised by solid families and decent paying jobs being a available. Oh.....and people who are willing to work those decent paying jobs if they were actually available.

@orytek1

Жыл бұрын

Comrade?

A+ video! Great to see all those aspects of the city!

I lived in Birminghan till I was 30 and then we moved to North Alabama. It is very laid back and I love it.

Born and raised here I'm 48 . There's some bad areas mostly in the city but it is trying to change. The city besides downtown and Southside and Northside just secured a big development. Your video is spot on with crime

Went thru this city in 1977 overpass on freeway under construction. Went thru again 1980 overpass under reconstruction, it had collapsed

I made a list of spots to check out there from where you listed...we've been frequenting Huntsville, AL for weekend trips & will def add Birmingham on to the revisit list. Thanks for sharing the positives of the town!

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

Ok tell em Nixk sent ya!

Nick-Great video that addresses some important issues. For reference: Black on Black crime accounts for Birmingham's homicide rate--this needs to be addressed. This crime statistic is caused by the breakdown of the family. Break down of family is fueled by the Welfare State. In contrast, I volunteer in Central America in a charity for blind children--the folks there are poor ( by American standards) but they are not crime ridden; this is because of the strong family & extended family units,; there is no welfare state to break down the family--Just my opinion.

@bazodee2

Жыл бұрын

Entire families are fleeing from central america bc MS13 is terrorising their homeland.

@MegaBait1616

Жыл бұрын

Agreed..... One can not have a Bunch of Money but still have Pride n keep their Neighbor CLEAN.... be well.

@paulbrungardt9823

Жыл бұрын

@@jKLa Yes, we are in Chiriqui Provence.

@paulbrungardt9823

Жыл бұрын

@@jKLa Apology accepted

@Valfodr_jr

Жыл бұрын

I am SO glad you said "Just my opinion" as your opinion is miles from being fact. Just take a look at us here in Europe, the countries in Oceania and large parts of Asia where we generally have MUCH better developed welfare states than in the US and yet far lower crime rates and way higher standard of living. Single parents are found in equal numbers there, but still children and young people do not go out into the world and start a criminal career for that reason. Do you know why? Because we have a welfare system that captures those who need it and gives them an opportunity for a good life regardless of background and social status. We here in Norway, e.g, have free education up to and including university, free health care, next to no homelessness, subsidized childcare so parents can actually AFFORD to work, one year of state-paid parental leave, about $10,000 from the government for each child when they are born, etc etc. In other words, our government makes the foundation for our citizens for being able to make it on their own. And it works great and it pays of! And before you make the so boringly predictable US citizen objections; No, we don't have tons of people exploiting the system. We have lower unemployment and higher wages than the United States. What we DO have, on the other hand, is a population that goes about its everyday life with the security of knowing that if something should happen, the authorities are there to pick me up and help me with whatever I need to get me back on my feet again. But we ONLY use it if we have to! And no, we do not pay WAAAY higher taxes than US citizens. When we add up what we get back for our tax money that you have to pay for outside of tax, things like college, university, health insurance, deductibles etc, you have to give up MORE of your salary than we do. High crime is only a sign of a government and society that has given up or does not care about its citizens.

It's good see that Nick emphasizes the great downtown and good neighborhoods if in this case, Birmingham as well. Kudos.

It amazes me with your every upload you keep finding these places in the U.S. And that you channel thrives successfully on this subject alone. Let’s hope the places can recover, and you can keep making good content like you always do. Thanks for showing the reality with your topnotch videos!

Your statement at the beginning of this video was something to think about......"You asked for more downer videos about places, so here we go" (not a perfectly quoted statement, sorry about that). But it made me think, and this is my take on it: Seeing that there are places and people that are way worse off than you are, makes me appreciate what I do have - it might not be a lot, but it makes things look a lot better. I have a job, a roof over my head, food in my pantry, and that is much to be thankful for. Thank you for putting things in perspective......you don't know what you have until you see others who have so much less. 🌄🌄🌄

You put a lot of work into your videos and it shows. Thanks for the content.

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

I try!

I really enjoy these. You do a really good job Nick. Thanks!

My family is from Bessemer and Bham. Thanks for the tour!

Excellent video and insights...thanks

My friend I grew up with in Ohio moved to Vestavia Hills when I was a kid. Me and my family visited his family a year later right before my 11th birthday in the middle of August.. It was beautiful.

Most of the Fortune 500 chose Metro Atlanta over Birmingham, but there was a time when Birmingham could have become the dominant city in the region. The city has a lot of positives. Sixty years ago Birmingham was a bigger blue collar success than Atlanta and that might have worked against it as it's now part of the "Rust Belt of the South" as are Memphis and New Orleans as NAFTA and China took industrial jobs . Alabama is a pretty state and northern Alabama has some of the best places to live in the U.S.

@thesmokeisa500lb15yearold

Жыл бұрын

I personally like Montgomery the most in AL

@user-zn8kd5bx5u

Жыл бұрын

@@thesmokeisa500lb15yearold montgomery is terrible--crime, flat as a piece of paper and HOT hot for some reason.....

@jaredholcombe2907

10 ай бұрын

I read somewhere that Birmingham gave up the opportunity to get the airport that is now in Atlanta. If so that’s terrible when it come to combating jobs & city growth.

@thesmokeisa500lb15yearold

10 ай бұрын

@@jaredholcombe2907 it's worse than Detroit

It is a very interesting video. You always talk about how your viewers want to see the bad side of town. But I think that just has to do with wanting to see, as the famous book title, says, how the other half lives. I mean that book was written over a century ago, and even back then people were curious. And honestly I drive through Marvin North Carolina every day to go to work, so I see my share of fancy houses in fancy cars but I don’t get to drive through or want to drive through a serious downtrodden area very often. And I had to laugh when you mentioned divorce, and those people being unhappy. I tell you, though I got divorced, and it made me very happy. Lol. Thank you very much for the videos and all the work you put into them. They are definitely very eye-opening.

love the interview

I wonder if some of the broken-down neighborhoods were damaged by storms or hurricanes, and no one had money to repair or restore them. But any, another great video Nick!

@Tenebarum

Жыл бұрын

no. Bham is inland. The broken down stuff is done by apathetic people

@nancybode6159

Жыл бұрын

@@Tenebarum That's too bad, I'm so sorry. Thank you for telling me.

10-20 years ago we should have redesigned the Section 8 Housing Program, acquired still habitable homes and put homeless in them. If Tenant maintains, make repairs, pays on time and no criminal record, they can lease to earn ownership with sell-back to the agency in perpetuity. Give humans shelter first. It's a key priority of Life,

@harryfallius7470

Жыл бұрын

Homeless is not primarily caused by lack of housing, it's caused by drug addiction, mental illness, poorly conceived and implemented government policies too numerous to mention here, and on and on

@robertsolomielke5134

11 ай бұрын

Housing FIRST is a very successful program in in Norway with homeless numbers going DOWN since 1960's , you gotta check it out....or was that Finland?

There is something really beautiful about this city - yes, even the run-down parts! It's looks green and lush to me. Thanks for your fascinating videos, Nick.

That's a nice looking city, when I visit the States again, would like to check it out. Great video cheers.

ANYPLACE in America is sad if you don't enough money to afford a decent house and if you have kids a decent school district.

Great job with this...what happened to Birmingham in the last 50 years is sad, not too unlike the plight of many other cities that depended heavily on industry...when the steel mills and foundries went away, a lot of people lost their livelihoods...areas like Five Points West and Ensley that were blue collar, but solid, and well maintained, became ragged ... these days, if you are employed at UAB, in banking/finance, the medical field, or some other profession, you can find a well-paying gig in the `ham...BUT, you probably will LIVE elsewhere...such as Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Hoover, or further south, in Pelham, Alabaster, etc. These communities are booming and thriving, as are their separate school systems...All you have to do is see the traffic snarl into town in the morning, or out of town at 5 O'clock...so, without that TAX BASE, it's hard to sustain the type of public services and infrastructure necessary to bring the city back to what it was...there ARE residents of Birmingham neighborhoods who are trying to fix up what they have, and inner-city magnet schools and schools with special programs, such as Ramsay High, are making a comeback....and things like Crossplex, a magnificent athletic complex built on the site of the old fairgrounds in Five Points West, employs many folks from the community...it's a process, but hopefully it will get "the Magic" back...

@invaderzim1265

Жыл бұрын

Well to get to the root of the problem, get rid of the Federal Reserve, the I.R.S, and the CENTRAL BANKS in D.C. And come back to the gold standard before the 1960s when "president" nixon said hes taking us off temporarily. That was over 50 years ago now....

@RoyGBiv-lc8tv

Жыл бұрын

You are so right. A lot of wealthy residents move “over the mountain” and Birmingham doesn’t benefit from that tax base.

@OscarGarcia-sk8px

Жыл бұрын

I remember the days when Birmingham was called the Pittsburgh of the South.

@thegrinch304

11 ай бұрын

​@@OscarGarcia-sk8pxSame thing happened to us like Detroit.

I moved to Birmingham from Atlanta last year and my family loves it. Great up & coming city. My friends visited a month ago and was amazed.

Love this channel. Great work Nick

My friend just got shot there a week ago. He was just passing through. Watch first 48. All I got to say about Birmingham.

You had me laughing through most of this video but their downtown looks really nice, I could live there as long as it was way out in the burbs. Great video.

@laurie7689

Жыл бұрын

A lot of people commute to work in B'Ham from Shelby County. That is where a lot of the middle class suburbs are located.

Thanks again Nick. Another great show. Eye opening for sure. Awsome narration.

Nick. Started watching your videos when I was deciding where I wanted to live. I ended up in a place pretty close to Corpus Christi. I still watch your videos. I love them! Thank you!

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

Hey Mike. I'll be in Corpus later this year

Great informative Video!

The south side of town looks absolutely gorgeous, I'm in!

Keep up the great & hilarious reporting nick!

Another great video! I’m from Huntsville,Alabama and it’s a totally different experience than Birmingham is! But Birmingham is growing and that’s a good thing

While it is true that living anywhere is what you make of it however you have to take in consideration how the vibe of the area will begin to effect you mentally and spiritually after a while.

It's not social media that makes Americans sad, it's something much simpler than that I'd suggest.

VERY good REPORTING BRAVO NICK!!!!!

12:02 WoW 😍💚 Welcome back Maappppieeee 🗺🤍

My wife managed a team of IT programmers for a company located outside Montgomery, Alabama. We lived in another state and she would fly in to Montgomery for a week to work each month and would stay at a hotel in Montgomery. I went with her on one of those trips and just ventured around town and explored. There was a shooting at the mall that I had just went to 2 hours earlier. The other mall was closed down. Empty shutdown restaurants and businesses. It was a sad depressing place. I went because we considered moving there so my wife wouldn’t have to work remotely and fly there and be gone from home so much. I wanted to check it out. I said NO WAY are we moving to Montgomery or the state of Alabama……….

@damonmelendez856

Жыл бұрын

Montgomery is full of blacks

@Castleknight

Жыл бұрын

What state do you live in?

@davidbaker8762

Жыл бұрын

Montgomery is a mess, Huntsville would be a better option for you .

@foxhallww311

Жыл бұрын

Montgomery is a dump. You should have ventured to Auburn which is 45 minutes east of Montgomery. It’s a beautiful area. So Pike Road is a nice area too.

@eddienichols209

Жыл бұрын

The vast majority of people working in Montgomery commute. Same with Columbus, Georgia. Both cities offer superb employment opportunities but are not somewhere you'd want to call home and raise a family. Auburn and Opelika, Alabama are two of the nicest towns you'll find most anywhere to call home and raise a family. They are two of the real gems in Alabama.

They should restore that baseball stadium, it was the first one in the country! The homeless pods, that is very interesting. The House of Found Objects Bar is incredible, what a brilliant idea! That first interview was fascinating. It was interesting that he mentioned a mentor program (first time I have ever heard someone on the videos I watched mention that). There is a mentor program called Teammates that started in Nebraska (by Tom Osborne and his wife Nancy) that is picking up steam and is in five states now. The second interview was excellent too. Kameron Monet (fantastic name) really speaks well and tells it how it is.

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

A+ video then??

@btetschner

Жыл бұрын

@@NickJohnson Yes! It is almost like being there watching the video. It's very easy to see the good and bad of Birmingham after watching it. I don't know how you get such great interviewees.

@cawheeler27

Жыл бұрын

I don't think it was the first baseball stadium, just the oldest still standing. They are not gonna restore it anytime soon. The area it's in is pretty bad. They built a new one downtown, it's called Regions Field. It's in a very popular location, Railroad Park. Lots of restaurants, microbreweries, bars, apartment complexes and the large Railroad Park itself, which has a huge walking trail. It's a much better location for a baseball field, people actually feel safe going there.

@CarrieBHS

Жыл бұрын

@@cawheeler27hey’re gonna have a MLB game at Rickwood next year! Gonna spend 550k on renovations.

@cawheeler27

Жыл бұрын

@@CarrieBHS I actually just saw that the other day

My girlfriend lived in this town. I never got a chance to see it before she moved to vegas. Thank u for this vid.

Your narrations are just so comical! 😂😂🤣🤣 the prices on cocktails and commentary on activities are just top tier!😅 I have been watching your content daily since KZread recommended it and I must say….you are hilarious!

The parts of america they never show us abroad. They only show us good neighborhoods.

@benton-benton

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I have a friend from Europe who thought the US was all really nice because she saw it on tv. Then when she got here she was shocked.

@NickJohnson

Жыл бұрын

Oh I know Lorrie!

@arminiuszmazowszanin2670

Жыл бұрын

@@lorrie5881 Yes but it seems there are other million places that looks like ukraine after russian bombing.

@chadalahio8266

Жыл бұрын

@@lorrie5881 And so many places that aren’t. I grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and sights and surroundings like this are normal. I totally disagree.

@Karmazov

11 ай бұрын

@@lorrie5881 I don't know where you live, but these are not out-of-the-way remote places in the middle of nowhere. These are major cities where hundreds of thousands of people live. Just because you choose to ignore these places does not mean that they don't exist or are hard to find. There are many many such places located across the country where millions of people are living in 3rd world-like situations.

Lack of education. Lack of discipline. Lack of morals. Lack of decency. Lack of leadership.

Really cool people from Alabama. Great Video

I like what you do man. Good content.

The bad parts are black and the nice parts are white. It's the same anywhere.

@user-iv1yi6cz7o

Ай бұрын

White people take care of what they Hage and are grateful to God

@nikkifernandez5674

17 күн бұрын

Cuz the blacks don’t take care of nothing

500K for a house makes you upper-class in Alabama. But just try to find something for that price in Los Angeles. You would get a 2 bedroom dump in a dangerous hood. Clearly Birmingham needs some sort of job-creating industry that doesn't require a highly-skilled labor pool. Of course that's the same dilemma that lots of other places have. The jobs went to Chy-nah. They are laughing at us. Birmingham seems to be moving in a positive direction.

@davidfikes5849

Жыл бұрын

LIKE EVERWHERE ELSE HAVES HAD HAVE NOT'S.

@BrisLS1

Жыл бұрын

I did a scan around Trulia, and could not really conclude anything except, if you pay way up, you get a nice home there. Not necessarily on a large plot of land. In fact, tons of $500k+ homes on tiny lots. Some run down places trying to get bubble money, and some brand new construction 2/2 garage bungalows looking like a steal. So very inconsistent. It's definitely not some honey pot of a place to invest. Kind of looks like you get what you pay for there. Which may be better than most of the rest of the country right now, over-priced.