Half of what you criticize are all good things... small town, low cost housing, nothing in the middle of nowhere - all positive points. Crime is a disappointment, but it is Virginia, conceal carry is not that hard to get from a shall issue state. That said, it is a very bad idea to be a criminal in a state with a well armed and well trained population...
I have been to every one of these cities. South Boston once was a great city. They once were a city that caught a lot of the traffic that came down hwy 58, 501 and 360. They had tobacco farms, cotton an industry. Now it's a pretty dreadful place. Roanoke once was a productive city. Roanoke allowed the kids of the one's that helped keep that city running to run amuck. As well as the student's over at Virginia Tech. They also lost a lot of money as the elders died off an the kid's got jobs elsewhere. Then sold the land an if it had trees on it they sell that before the land . Danville is west of South Boston. A lot of the crime comes out of North Carolina up 29. They just approved a Casino for the downtown area right on the river. Emporia sits on a route that was followed down the east coast of the states. You mention racing. Yes that is a big thing in mid to south Virginia . Lots of race tracks in Virginia an one is in South Boston . The speeding part is because there are a number of court house's around that area. Galax is a very rural area. You mention unemployment rate there, theres no jobs there it use to have a lot of farm's that employed the children of the families that lives on family land. Now that it's almost impossible to have a productive farm Because of many reasons, the unemployment has went thru the roof. The home value there has fell off a cliff because the houses there have decayed. Petersburg does have a massive crime problem, which has a lot to do with the even more massive drug problem . This once productive city has fell to the wayside. Newport News as well as Portsmouth has a lot of the issues come in thru the water area they get flooded with drugs brought in on boat's.
As a retired police officer who has been through the grind of working in the worst parts of Maryland I'd have to say that you have to take murder rates with a grain of salt. When you hear of murder rates in an area it does cause concern if you plan on living in particular towns or cities. From my experience most of these murders involve narcotics or gang related issues. If you're not part of that life then the only thing that would prevent me from deciding to live in a particular area are car thefts and break in statistics. And if you have kids I highly suggest checking for all sex offenders registered in your area. That being said, there are areas within cities that have a bad rep for crime that actually are good and safe neighborhoods. So before you say no to a city on this list, do your homework and see where those good communities are.
As a Leo currently in VA, I have to agree with you. The city I work in has a fairly high shooting/agg assault rate, with a noticeable increase in homicides recently.... However, it's almost a guarantee to be drug/gang related, and generally with juveniles.. it's also usually confines to the same areas, generally as narrowed down as specific block numbers of a street. As mentioned, if you are outside of that life, and do homework on the streets call history, you really don't have much to be too concerned with regarding those numbers. Burglary, car thefts, larcenies would be my concern.. , however, a large portion of those fall in the same category, as they are often falsely reported, and actually are the result of a bad narcotics transaction or gang "beef"... The one area that is difficult to avoid is how are the school systems, as you can't avoid that by choice of which area of the city you wish to live. Because that gang violence DOES carry over into innocent kids sometimes
They're two different worlds. Nova is where most of virginians live and it's liberal. The rest of virginia is basically no different than west virginia.
Used to live in Fairfax County, and the Rents are too expensive to live there! When an opportunity to transfer to VA Beach came up, I took it! The Rents and the Cost for buying a House are a lot Cheaper than in NoVA! Glad I moved down here, and just a short drive to the Beach!
We just moved from NoVA to the Shenendoah Valley. It is incredibly beautiful here but I am shocked to find that the majority of people (that I've encountered) are even less friendly than in NoVA.
Petersburg should be on this list also. I was born and raised in Richmond Va. and I still live there. Its bad and Chesterfield County has gotten bad in the past few years.
As someone who lives in Newport News on the far west side, it really depends on where you go. "Don't go on the numbered streets" is a common saying that I abide by except when I go to work. The sketchy areas are many, but there are tons of good places in NN to live.
I tried to avoid going to Newport News when I used to live in VB. Heard a lot about it. I had to go there one time for a traffic ticket court but that was it.
@@CesarOdulio it's not that bad lol. It's mainly downtown Newport news where a lot of the crime is! It's usually a personal shooting. Which is the side of Newport news closest to the shipyard. I have had plenty of friends and family who live in downtown Newport news And know people who live there, nothing has ever happened to them. There are a lot of homes and nice families that live out there.
Born and raised in Portsmouth, and just lived there again for 4 years a couple of years ago. I suppose the numbers must be taken into account when figuring worst city, but when you’re actually living there, most of Portsmouth is OK. Same with Newport News which is also a part of Hampton Roads aka Tidewater. This area is 7 major cities lumped together with several outlying areas so it doesn’t so much matter if there’s not much to do in one city. All the others are nearby and it’s more like one giant area made of several cities than it is just one city, so there’s always something to do not too far away, even if it’s not in the city where you live. Hampton Roads is a great place with all different type landscapes, entertainment, cultures, etc.
I think this video about Virginia proves one thing pretty conclusively. Poverty breeds crime, no matter who lives in these areas. Commerce has left many of these areas, and as James Baldwin said in the 1960s, "The most dangerous creation in the world is a man who has nothing to lose."
Veronica well said. As an example Corrections Officer this is one of my biggest fear. Nothing to lose means anything could happen. I do see a correlation between poverty and crime. Hope one day we can change this
Uhhh bullshit, poverty doesn't breed crime. Most ppl that live in those neighborhoods. DONT COMMIT crimes. The best question is where does wealth come from. Uhh working. Acting right. Being productive.
For the folks saying, "why is Richmond not on here because it's worse than the cities mentioned?" It's because when it comes to crime, cities are ranked by crime per capita. Smaller towns with high crime will seem more violent because there is a higher chance you will be affected by a crime then if you live in a large city.
What about violent crime or gang violence? Porch pirates in small towns worse than drive by shootings and murder in bigger cities? Get out of here! Way to cherry pick statistics. Takes no account of Violent Crime what so ever! Fake video.
Bro what u talking about one of my friends got shot a couple weeks ago and plus one month or sum they shot up apartment with drcos what are u talking about
Richmond was once the murder capital of the world! Not the state but the World i used to work for the department of corrections headquarters and people stand out in front of there with signs everyday not to mention there is a small patch of woods right there and there is an entire homeless village in there!
@@masonoldson9534 I’d choose Richmond over places like Norfolk which wasn’t even on this list. Granted both places have their share of shitty and somewhat decent neighborhoods, Richmond just has more to do. I would never put Richmond up in the categories of Petersburg, Ptown, Newport News, and Norfolk.
I used to live in Tazewell, Va. About a 30 minute drive from #9 on this list Richlands. Friendliest people I've met in my life. Miss that Southern Hospitality
I hate it here they hate you if your different and pretend to be nice. Would rather be with ducks who are honest than fake mother tricks in norton va but I do like tazwell ppl they nice to me
I grew up near Martinsville in the 70’s, born in 65. Back then it was amazing what a thriving place it was. More millionaires per capita than any city in the US. Even the post-WW2 blue collars like my dad managed to prosper. A very idyllic place. Feel blessed to have lived there but by the mid 80’s the writing was on the wall. Been gone 35 years now. I get depressed when I go back and see what has happened but hey, that’s progress right??
I grew up for 20 years in NoVa. Moved out an hour away in wine country last year and the difference is night and day. I might be a NoVa native but the kindness and quiet out here is wayyyy better.
I live in Norfolk. Moved here from Williamsburg. I was surprised that Norfolk didn't make the list honestly. When I moved here I was scared because of all the things people say and the things about Norfolk that are on the news daily. I moved here for ODU. I love ODU, the area that I live in isn't so bad. I've now lived in Norfolk for 6 years and nothing bad has happened to me, (knock on wood) but I do hear about the occasional shootings way far down the street from me through ODU police alerts. Oh and by the way...I try with all my heart to avoid Portsmouth, but that is legit only because I want to avoid the tolls from the midtown tunnel. There is no way I'm taking the long way to Portsmouth, so I just never go period!
I moved to Norfolk in 1975. I took the 1st job I could find. It was at a KFC in Virginia Beach. I wasn't told until much later I was hired to take the place of a woman who was found murdered in the backroom where the cooking was done. Her name was Debra Mcinnis, I believe. The guy who did the cooking in the back kept telling me her husband must have done it, because he's acting suspicious by always driving by the restaurant. It turned out the cook David Mark Pruett however, is the one who actually did it. He ended up being caught for another woman's murder 10 years later. I've never figured out however, whether or not the cook who worked there when I did was David. I didn't keep that job for very long anyway, nor did I end up staying in Virginia. Even though this technically happened in Virginia Beach and not Norfolk, I don't have a shortage of scary crime stories about Norfolk, either. But to make a long story a bit shorter, Norfolk/Va Beach, have both been crazy for awhile!
Norfolk has nice places too. In Norfolk you have to know the area. Rule of thumb… you get what you pay for. If it’s too frugal it’s a bad neighborhood.
Actually , I've lived here my whole life and depending on where you are it's relatively safe. As long as you aren't involved in drugs , gangs , and you politely mind your own business people leave you to your own. The worst I've dealt with it maybe two car break ins and shooting on holidays , but maybe that's to be expected due to the particular area I'm in.
@Anthony lee y'all gonna have to be trying a little bit harder so y'all can make the list the next time. I'm sure y'all can do it. Just visited that shole not a month or so ago
I live in NOVA. Super safe, excellent schools, terrible traffic, terribly overpriced, many snobs. Everyone is super educated, but it is hard to find a really good long term genuine friend.
I lived in Roanoke and loved every minute of it between the zoo, and Mill mountain the Christmas festivities and small town feel and I always felt safe. Not to mention the history and transportation museum, if I ever get the chance to move back I will in a heart beat.
If you can make a decent paycheck there, Roanoke and SW Va have a lot of great things to offer…but 99% of the people living in these places can’t do more than scrape by paycheck to paycheck. Also weather is not great. Still the real estate prices are mighty tempting.
@catherine mitchell sorry your cup is half empty. Or all the way empty.if you live where you perceive it as shithole, you should move. Otherwise if you're not part of the solution, then you are the problem.or just STFU.
@@benchoflemons398 Does Roanoke, VA really have the hottest employment market in US history? I just talked to family there the other night and they aren't talking a big game about all the millions flocking there for all the great jobs.
Marion has Hungry Mother State park. The place is beautiful. Virginia’s big issue is NOVA is full of transplants who don’t care about the rest of the state. Life long NOVA residents want better for the state.
Yes, just like Manhattan and western Brooklyn is full of transplants and yuppies who don't care about the rest of the city. You expecting them to care when all they want is a apartment downtown to get to their high paying job faster and to be around expensive bars and nightclubs. As long as all the new Starbucks and Whole Foods chain's spring up they couldn't be happier.
@@johnpublic793,story is two settlers found an Indian toddler with its dead mother and it kept saying hungry mother in the Cherokee language not realizing it mother was dead. This is supposed to have happened in what is now the park.
The areas you mentioned may be a desired destination in future times of crisis. There is a country song about it... Country Boys Can Survive. And, by the way... there is a say'n 'round here... Don't mess with Mama Bear cause she is a pack'n, too. What goes around, comes around. We will remember being called a redneck when you are starving and running from the cities.
Hello Nick, I moved to Danville Virginia, August of 2020. I am 64 years old and living on my Social security. My sister moved here 8 years and my wife and I visited, and love the small town versus Los Angeles CA. In the year that I have lived in Danville, I Love it. Cost of living is 45% cheaper than L.A. and I bought a 3 bedroom house for 30K that's really nice. You can not buy a garage in L.A. for that.
How did you not put Richmond on here??I live in Richmond,its the capital AND one of the most dangerous and drug infested cities in Virginia and probably the east coast.
Sickening how violent. I live in the west end and it's gotten bad here too. Just a couple of days ago a man and woman shot, woman killed, and the young girl shot in broad daylight a few weeks ago here, Lucia (sorry, forgot her last name,). Just naming recent crimes in the area where I live, but not more than a few miles there are shootings it seems almost daily. Smh Edit: May 30th now. On May 11th, a friend of the family (and neice to my husband's brother, his wife's neice by blood) was shot and killed by her "boyfriend". They both were 18. She's gone, and his court date is August 31 in Henrico Co. They lived only 10 minutes from us. So as I was posting this pre:edit comment, it was about the same time frame. Very strange, very tragic. Brittney was a bright, energetic, loving person who believed the best of everyone. In fact, in her so-called boyfriend too. 😪
I was born in Turkey. But when I was 5, I had a chance to go to America. I went to Virginia Beach for 3 years and came back. I went to all the navy counties/cities, and it wasn’t that too bad in news port news
I went to college at Virginia Tech, in Southwest Virginia. I'm from NJ so I'm not native to VA but it really is a wonderful state. So beautiful and NOVA is a really nice area. Would consider moving there some day. But yeah while the rural parts are pretty gorgeous they are unfortunately on economic hard times. Hope things turn up for them.
I lived around Blacksburg/ surrounding area for about 10 years, great place, great people, also some of the scariest backwoods "country folk" you'd ever meet, interesting mix.
I bought a house in my mom's VA hometown during the Covid year. If I sold right now, six months later, I'd sell it for at least 20% more, not a bad half-year return. But as for VA, the more I look, the more I like as a whole....
I moved to Roanoke and then Bedford in 2014. I actually worked right on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I loved it. I moved there from my hometown, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. You want to talk crime, drugs, bad weather! Virginia was a literal paradise compared to South Florida. Yes, you can do anything as it is nonstop people and activity in South Florida but some of us want peace and quiet. You can't beat the natural beauty of VA. It just seems trendy to drag western Virginia and Appalachia.
As a Virginia resident let me explain why this list is the way it is and why NOVA is so different. It has to do with politics. For decades corrupt politicians syphoned tax dollars from most of the state and paid it to lobbyists and counties in NOVA. Most people in my area call Northern Virginia NOTVA as opposed to NOVA.
I was born and raised in Newport News. The city definitely has it’s share of bad areas, but there are decent areas too. The historic Hilton area, on the James River, is super nice, and the Oyster Point area carries the city financially.
I grew up in New Kent, VA my whole life, & I’ve honestly never been happier living in Newport News. Yeah there’s bad parts, but it’s also home to the nations first planned neighborhood, Hilton Village, & also has plenty million dollar neighborhoods. While there is abundant crime, as long as you know what you’re doing, Newport News is a great place to live!
So cool, this video and your cute song made me laugh. Thank you. You have great videos. I've watched too many to count... and, thank you for your great since of humor.
My Dad moved to Petersburg in the 60's. It was reputable place to live. We moved away in 1969 because he got a better job in Henrico. Over the following years the demographics in Petersburg changed and became a run down and struggling small city. The circle of life has landed me 2 miles outside of Petersburg in a nice area.
I remember Petersburg from 1983-1984 when the city actually had a heartbeat. It was the place to go for the mall (Walnut Mall), and visit the historic downtown with it's many old historic houses. I returned for a visit in 2016 -- what a horror story. I couldn't believe the decline, poverty and crime that has beleaguered this area - unbelievable. FYI: Hopewell and Colonial Heights aren't exactly above the mark either.....sad really.
If you lived here, you would know that Downtown Newport News and the rest of the city are like night and day. Most of Newport News is a lovely place to live!
When most people think of a downtown people think of tall buildings, tourist attractions and night life. Downtown Newport News has none of that. Tallest building is Riverpark Tower which is only 19 stories. As for night life stay away if you valve you life.
Wrong!! Downtown and Huntington Heights are both fairly quiet areas. The northern part of Newport News is where a lot of the violent crimes take place.
Back in the 1970's I lived briefly in the Denbigh part of NN and really enjoyed it. So surprised to see NN as #1 and worse than Petersburg or Norfolk. Last year, we toured Christopher Newport University and were really impressed with the beautiful campus. This just doesn't make sense. What is going on with Newport News?
They don't know anything about Richmond.we still have all da pj's ,highland park,northside,Southside,etc.he did this list before and goofed.i understand doe he ain't trying to go there 4 real.
@@kimanipatiller4404 yeah fr its gets real bad there is definitely money to be made when you get into the big city part of Richmond but you hit the low income industrial areas it gets bad I went to Richmond last weekend and saw 2 dudes full on fist fight in the parking lot of a dollar general and one of the dudes had a broken nose and was bloody all to hell im surpsied he didn't kill himn
NOVA is the best place to live in Virginia? Sure if you love insane cost of living, mile after mile of homogenized suburban sprawl, and sitting in gridlocked traffic every single day. Sounds like paradise! lol
Before their were United Nations their was The Commonwealth were all the Kings and Queens have a common law . Then came colonialism which brought Virginia who seen British and Civil wars . So Virginia knows better than any state when it comes to crime. I've lived here most of my life and is less stressful than other states .
I lived in Virginia most of my life. Grew up in Lynchburg, went in the military, came back to Lynchburg for a year before moving to Norfolk where I would live and work for 31 years, retired after working for the City of Norfolk, and moved back to Lynchburg. I love Lynchburg as there is much happening here that is good. Also in Lynchburg we are blessed with no interstate highway.
I moved from Tazewell to Lynchburg after College. I have been here for 22 years. I am not going anywhere. I was blessed to buy a house in Forest(about 20 mins from downtown Lynchburg) but i work in Lynchburg..It's a perfect fit for me. I am dead center of the state. No interstate issues. Great golf, food, Liberty University is bringing big time football to the "Hill City" and the university is growing, fishing, the culture/ history, festivals and wine festivals. I love it. It truly is a great place to live and retire.
Lynchburg is nice. Of course it got some Hoods but there is a lot if History here. I love it here. There are things to do now. We have a Comedy Club Venue
We moved just south of South Boston and, to be honest, we feel very safe walking up and down the streets here. There are several new business that have opened up in the past year and the city is always doing free events at Constitution Square. I recently spoke with a police officer at our farmer's market and he told me that last month, there were 8 consecutive days without someone calling 911. He actually told me he asked to be transferred to SoBo from Richmond due to the lower crime rate. I think it would be interesting to revisit this list in about a year or two and see if anything has changed, like for example, the fact that Danville will soon be opening up a new multi million dollar Cesar's Casio. Good video tho, very informative!
Exactly I live in Danville and the fact that people think the casino is going to be a good thing for Danville is crazy to me considering how bad crime and homelessness already is
A lot of VA's issues (excluding NOVA & tidewater area) can be contributed to 2 things: many textile, furniture, etc. factorys closed or moved with nothing to really replace them and coal mines as well. Second, the opioid epidemic hit the same areas extremely hard. Overprescribed pain medications that resulted in many people becoming addicted. Now you have the tighter restrictions on those medicines being prescribed but there are many people who are already in active addiction so many of those people have turned to meth. I see this everyday in the area I live and it is terrible. Combine those 2 things with many of these small towns have nothing to do and it's a recipe for a not so great place to live.
Video ignores major violent crimes in larger cities only to focus on minor property crimes in lower population areas. It's simple omitting of statistics of violence. Would you rather have an Amazon package stolen off your porch in Danville or get Murdered in Richmond? Would you rather have your bike stolen in Collinsville or get shot in Virginia Beach? Video is BS and so is the SIMP who made it!
I got to Virginia because I got stationed at the Norfolk Naval base ... I love Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and definitely planning on going back there after I retire from the Navy! Cannot wait!! Sad to see Portsmouth and Newport News made this list... but I see that though 😞
Grew up in Portsmouth. Born in 96. Yeah it’s been rife with crime. I blame the politicians, lack of jobs from suffocating tolls, and the poor education system.
I love how he chose not to disclose Newport News Shipbuilding, Wells Fargo and Bank of America denied thousands of black applicants jobs because of the color of their skin. All of them paid fines for racial discrimination. That’s another reason why it’s so much Crime.
Born and raised in NN and it's really not that bad he's just talking about downtown NN once you cross that bridge from the shipyard. NN has a lot of really nice places, neighborhoods, restaurants, stores, etc. If you're a native you know which spots to watch your back at like any city.
Danville has definitely gotten better in the past couple years. now that Caesar's is coming, a lot of shops and stores have popped up. in the past 5 years of living here, i've noticed a n increase in Teslas, Porches, Mercedes, more 'trendy' places, and a younger class of people. i actually think the city is doing as best as it can to revive itself.
"Now that Caesar's is coming", The tourists can visit the Schoolfield slums across the tracks from the casino, see Confederate flags flying in many neighborhoods, and drive through the state's only unsynchronized traffic lights. Two out of three buffet restaurants, Colden Corral and the Chinese one went out of business several years ago. No airlines or busses serve Danville, and Amtrak stops once each way, per night. Danville does have more Food Lion grocery stores than any other city, and the Largest Walmart in this part of the country. What else is there to draw people to the "Resort"?
As a Danville resident who has lived here all my life I can say that at no other time can I remember as many homeless people or people flat-out begging for money then in the last 4 years or so, I don't know about this casino as I feel that it will just increased crime, and poverty..... Between the pill heads and gangs I just hope that the security at the casino will be top-notch lol
I'm originally from Loudoun County and moved down to Pulaski County a little 2 years ago. What a culture shock it's been but, the people here make up for that . Love it but still getting use to it 🍻
When I first moved to RVA a DMV employee gave me some advice. "Virginia is a very unforgiving state." They will find anyway to drain money from your pocket. They are predators!!!
@@nekkoskrilla6750 been here for 11 years and I still don't understand how the counties are divided. Doesn't help that I've mostly lived in places that are close to the lines.
Having traveled pretty much the entire state of VA. working in sales for many years I can't disagree with most of your choices in fact I could have named at least half of those before watching. The one issue I would take with your video which I enjoyed is if you can afford to live in the nicer part of town almost any city is very livable but if you can't then it can be scary to say the least. Newport News as an example has some very expensive areas that are top notch so life there is excellent while down by the shipyard it gets really dangerous after dark. Many of these cities have some things in common that tend to make matters get worse. In most cases one demographic leaves while another stays and takes over running that city into poverty and despair and the next thing you know you're on a list of places not to live.
Nick you’ve spent a good deal of time putting this hit piece together. You opened with a short comment about where you obtained the statistics to develop this list. People in these cities and towns are doing what they can to have life, liberty and pursue happiness. Your snide remarks and innuendoes show how little you know about the places you critique. You comments are rude and not welcome. Where did you grow up? Do you live there now? Finally what critique do have for your home town. Joe Boone
I have lived in Virginia most of my 61 years and I feel that your list needs to be corrected. You need to replace Roanoke with Martinsville. Martinsville is far worst than Roanoke ever will be.
I agree. I live and work in Martinsville and the only redeemable quality is that cost of living is low. I am fortunate to have a good career here, but if someone doesn't then there is no reason to stay here. Unless you work in the public school system, community college, or medical services you will have a hard time making it here.
@@tanekahairston5889 Most everyone I knew from Martinsville left. There just aren't many opportunities to succeed financially outside of education or medical.
@@tanekahairston5889 That was a good time to leave. So many people lost jobs just before that and they were coming to PHCC to get degrees/skills for new careers. I don't blame anyone for leaving. I hope you have continued success. 👍🏾
Even though NoVa and DC seem snobby, everyone pays a price. The cost of living is insane. Also you have to leave stupid early to get to work and miss traffic. Then god forbid some idiot rear-ends a car on 95, your less than relaxing 1 hour drive home on a good day turns into 3. Why? Because everyone is freaking nosy, and god didn’t give them the sense to not rubberneck and have another accident. 95 from DC to Fredericksburg is one of the worst traffic areas in the country.
At one point I did Woodbridge to Laurel Md everyday. At the time they were building the I95 express lanes. Commute on a summer Fri night would be about an hour from Laurel to the I95\495 interchange, then 1-4 hours to Woodbridge. You are correct in one respect. Amazing that so many people act as though they have never seen a firetruck or cop car w/ their lights on.
My dad commutes from Charlottesville to Rockville, MD 1-2 times a week. He didn’t want to live in nova so we lived in Charlottesville and he would commute
very true, driving along 95 as well you encounter the intense road raging from pissed off drivers who wish they weren't in 2+ hours long traffic. so easy to get into a fatal car crash in that section of 95
Not to put the residents down, but where's Tazewell? I dated a girl from there back in early 2008 and felt like I was being spied on everywhere I went...quite creepy when I had nothing to be skeptical of.
I've grown up going to Marion for errands so I've spent a lot of time there. My grandparents built a house north of Saltville in the middle of nowhere. Marion has one of the closest Wal-marts to where we live. Marion is not too bad. I love Wolfe's BBQ downtown. In fact, the downtown is pretty cute. I have a cousin that lives in Richlands haha. There's a lot of poor people up there, I will agree. Coal mining and manufacturing used to be the name of the game, but a lot of that is gone now. Most people are ranchers or grow corn for cattle feed. It's a beautiful area and I love to visit up in rural western VA. There are some really great people up there.
Marion is that small town that wants so hard to be good. It's unfortunate that the town politicians and the police department seemingly work against the town's interests and it shows - unfortunately. The only people there more corrupt or hypocritical are the ministers of every denomination. BTW, I lived near there long enough to realize I could never live there again. I love my west coast life now.
I live in Marion. It is portrayed in this video as horrible in every imaginable way, and that's completely inaccurate. The totally "negative only" potrayal of these smaller places in videos like this one has actually become a direct and leading contributor of their decline.
I am from Tazewell. I know all about Saltville, Marion and Richlands. Use to go fishing at Roaring Fork on the first mountain from Tazewell heading towards Marion. Spent many of 4 of July's at Hungry Mothers Park. I love home...
You forgot Hopewell. One of the most drug infested small cities in Virginia. Funny, u have them listed on your other vids as one of your worst cities in Va.
Portsmouth city park is pretty cool. Tennis golf crabbing pier fishing pier boat ramp and tons of playground equipment it sounds like a theme park. They even have a little train for the kiddos
Danville is actually a little higher than I thought it would be. But you are right. The city council has been putting a lot of effort into improving areas of our town that have been neglected since Dan River outsourced operations to India and the Tobacco industry crumbled. There is a huge casino project in the works and real estate is beginning to be scooped up by investors to go along with an enormous industrial park on Berry Hill Rd so there may be a chance to save the city in the end.
No doubt about that, India took all American jobs. Either jobs move to India or Indian moved to America. Every body focusing against China, and Indian taking everything. All made in china goods replacing by poor quality made in India. Even Aldi shops doing that. In this geopolitical game, American's are loosing 100%.
@@kammorris5902 correct, they broke ground on a 600 million dollar project recently. It has been a long and painful road but there are a lot of things over the last 10-15 years that have been put in place that will finally pay dividends for the community in the coming years.
I live in Grottoes Virginia, our population is almost 3000 and the Appalachian trail is literally in my backyard. Our town is amazing we have no crime I have seen the police on my road two times in eight years that I’ve lived here. I have neighbors my neighbors have neighbors, so it’s not just one house in the middle of nowhere. People go in their backyards and just shoot their guns nobody thinks twice its normal here, we don’t go to a gun range we just practice in our backyards. We have one little tiny police station the most action is somebody speeding or maybe a drunk driver, and if we want to get to a bigger city Harrisonburg Virginia it’s 20 minutes away. My husband drives to Harrisonburg for work every morning, and Grottoes has the caverns! Grottoes is an amazing little Virginia town, where if you’re broke down on the side of the road or you need help somebody will be there to help you in two seconds I’m not joking. I’ve needed help on the side of the road one from a car accident the other my car broke down, people were there to help me before I could blink i’m not kidding I love this town there’s only a few idiots here.
The town is almost entirely dependent on JMU for its economy though. If it weren't for the nearby university town, it would be as impoverished as other small mountain towns are.
@@jazzfeline5970 We don’t rely on JMU, we rely on all the many factories that are around. My husband makes $27 an hour in a small town, the college students don’t live in Grottoes. I don’t know maybe research it first.
Hey there, I used to live in Elkton! Grottoes is a nice small town and it’s true all those farmers (and other people too) will help you out like you were their daughter.
Most of the small towns are dead or dieing.. the state took all the nice byways that went through them and turned them into hyways, no more scenic drives... no more spur of the moment stops in shops or interesting looking places... just speed from place to place. I personally enjoyed driving in the towns and mountains...
The States “Virginia is for Lovers”, was originally, “Virginia is for History Lovers”. But it was changed because it wasn’t catchy. I grew up in eastern Va. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Great schools and low crime. But the past few decades brought people from other states to work at the shipyards. Overcrowding, and drugs ravaged the area. The narrator got a few facts wrong. Plenty of entertainment and the Portsmouth shipyard has days where they allow people to visit and board submarines. Very cool to sit at one of the many outdoor restaurants and watch the ships come in and out of the harbor. Many many things have changed and gotten worse over the years. But it’s still home to me despite the changes. Narrator speaks rumors and half truths. He doesn’t live there and insults our home.
I would disagree with the statement that the best places to live are in Northern Virginia. It's prohibitively expensive to live here, the traffic is the worst in the entire country, and yeah the people are very snobby. My top 3 would be Tidewater, around Richmond and Albemarle County.
Albemarle county can be ridiculously expensive too. Big city cost of living without the big city job opportunities. Only ones truly welcomed are friends of UVA and old white people benefitting from old money. Still, you can do much, much worse in VA.
It really depends on what you are looking for. Some of those smaller towns are actually perfect for people who want some land and plan on homeschooling or sending to private. Not everyone wants the expense , small land and crowded suburbs of bigger cities. I've been in VA for 15 years now, I've lived from west to east. Small towns get a bad rap, but it's not always the case
@@Random_ness Thanks for the encouragement, I really need it today. I am seriously considering it. I am moving from a much further Northern state in a city with a population of just over 2,000 and I don't want any neighbors I can see. I always find things to do if nature is surrounding me. :)
I've lived in many places in VA. From the Shenandoah to NOVA, VA Beach and Richmond. I even lived in Petersburg for a couple of years. While I never had a problem, I sure missed Alexandria back then. I was just bored mostly. I love VA. I like being able to go from mountain to beach in no time. From busy city to quiet woods. Each area has its own unique flavor. Walking along the Potomac is incredibly different than walking along the James. They're both rivers, but the culture around them change the experience entirely.
Been a river guide on both rivers and I like the James and Appomattox more than the Potomac. We live near the anacostia and the trail system is stellar. They are all great rivers to recreate on though.
Virginia is an awesome state! There is so much diversity here. Being able to reach the beach from the mountains in a few hours is one of the best things.
👋🏼 I live in Richmond, VA currently and ready to move further down south. It’s great here for employment and finding great education with much culture. However if your looking into investing into an estate this would be the worse place to do it. It’s pretty expensive.
Bro that's me And Richmond , I couldn't wait to leave , I stay In Florida now but everyday almost think about Richmond and how much I miss it. Home will always be home no matter where you move I guess .
As a former resident of Portsmouth, I can absolutely confirm this side of Hampton Roads is awful. Traffic sucks, neighborhoods mostly suck, and crime is pretty bad. I almost had to shoot a guy when I was 19 when he tried to force his way into our home. He jumped a neighbor’s fence in front of God, the police (who had been manhunting him all morning for several robberies) and my family, who were just getting home from Taco Bell. If it hadn’t been for the police catching up with him and chasing him off at the last second, he would’ve gotten a face full of buckshot. The only good place in Portsmouth really is the Nautical museum, the USS Wisconsin, and a local custard shop that uses Cheesecake Factory cheesecake in their treats. Aside from that, to hell with this city.
the Nauticus is in Norfolk... there is a children's museum and a sports museum in portsmouth- oh and the red tugboat one. you're thinking of downtown Norfolk 😊
Now we are on the subject of NASCAR, just as Elliott and Hermie Sadler are from Emporia, the Burton brothers Ward and Jeff originally came from South Boston.
I told my wife we weren't allowed to buy a house in Virginia. She asked why. I replied, "Virginia is for lovers." We wound up buying a house in Virginia.
@@Lululila67 We are loners, really doesn't matter where we are but yes. I am in a nice rural area on six acres in the mountains close to three small cities so, all is good.
I ALWAYS try to avoid portsmouth. I remember growing up hearing so many bad stories about it. Ended up dating a girl there in my early twenties. I pulled up to her house and it was under investigation for a murder. Haven't been back since.
As a transport to VA from CA I gotta say I don't think I've seen any tent cities in any part of Virginia. I haven't spent a significant chunk of the southwest portion of the state but I've crossed 58 a few times and driven back roads east of 81.
@@amandasexton5729 That’s because you don’t know where they are lol. Go to prince William count in the city of Dale City getting off the exit you will see a lot of homeless ppl there camping in the woods. Richmond has the second highest eviction rate in America.
@@JabrenHarris98 oh, NOVA. I'm honestly surprised anyone can survive outthere during the winter but I know they do it in D.C. too.. and honestly despite Richmond being as bad as it is with evictions, I haven't noticed any tent cities there either, I've noticed small crevices and alley ways with bed sure but nothing like CA.
I think Virginia has a lot of good places to live. I’m a Realtor in Northern Virginia and I would say that it is pretty expensive, but I see places like Haymarket and Aldie going from rural to a lot new construction. The Warrenton to Culpeper area is where I sell a lot of homes because it’s cheaper and a 45-55 minute commute to Nova, with much cheaper homes. If you are looking for a home from Madison to DC I would be happy to help you.
I've lived in Warrenton for 34 years. I love it here. Raised all over NoVA. I can't stand setting foot in NoVA now. The commuters that moved out to Warrenton have completely changed the pace. Most drive like bats out of hell. The traffic scene is scary. I often have to wait 5 to 10 minutes to get out of my driveway on 29. The speed limit is 55 not 80!
I was born in Richmond VA. Churchill area. Spent the summers in North side at my grandparents home. And I now reside in Eastern Henrico County. So it's safe to say that I am very familiar with these areas. First of all I feel like some of the people commenting have not visited these areas recently. Let me say that the homes in Churchill, and North Side have both been mostly renovated. I most say they are beautiful. As for Henrico Co. I can't keep up with the amount of new construction. I might add that Henrico is extremely generous with their Tax relief for seniors.
Galax crime has went way down in the past few years with a better mayor and a better sheriff as well. And actually we have many things like smoke on the mt fairs and such
having moved to Roanoke from Philadelphia I can tell you it's a WONDERFUL place to live. Yes there are economic issues but it is a town on the rise for sure.
Born and lived 50 years now in Roanoke and haven’t seen anything rise except prices and concern for safety. However, coming from Philly I guess perspective is everything.
Newport News resident here. I've lived here for most of the 23 years I've lived in Virginia and I certainly wouldn't call it the worst place to live in the state. Sure, there's not a whole lot to do in Newport News itself outside of shopping, getting drunk, or buying cars, but there's some decent parts of the city. Lee Hall wasn't too bad and the neighborhood I currently live in (not mentioning it for reasons) is about 50/50. The border between high and low crime areas in my neighborhood is literally in my backyard (not even joking there). As for roads, I'll agree on that. Road maintenance isn't much of a thing unless it's Jefferson Avenue, but only a certain part of Jefferson, from around City Center to Denbigh.
I'm not sure how recent this is or how much research you've done, but Danville is in an amazing growth spurt. Crime is way down, new businesses are moving in (even during COVID) and the downtown area is way cool.
We now have lots of shops downtown. The revitalization is amazing. Crime is so low that the police chief in Roanoke is asking our police chief for help!!!
Back in the 90s when I was in the Navy, stationed in Norfolk, I avoided Portsmouth except for the occasional visit to the naval hospital there. Car break-Ins occurred frequently there. OTOH, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake were very nice places to live in Hampton Roads.
I live in Roanoke and had to go to Portsmouth for an old job a couple of times, it's a nasty place. I love the ocean, but it's obvious how bad the crime is there. Pretty sure they just had a double homicide there not too long ago as well
I have lived in Petersburg for a year now. Moved here from Boston MA. I love it. Every minds their business. I haven't had a single issue with anyone or anything. I just wished the public transit system was a bit better.
For about 15 years I worked for the Virginia DOC. It seemed to me that most of the inmate came from the Hampton Roads area, Petersburg and in or near Richmond, VA.
I was born and raised in Newport News along with my husband and we raised our kids in the uptown part of the city! I feel like he only asked people in downtown about our city and that is not a fair representation of the city as a whole. If you are going to make a video about the worst places maybe you should explore the entire city and not just the worst part.
Newport News is not a bad city! At least you can find employment! Canon, Fort Eustis, Pepsi, Dan Daniel's, News Shipbuilding! Lot of military bases in area! This report is incorrect! Newport News is not anymore murders than anywhere else!
Newport News has problems like any city, but it's also a beautiful city, my city. But if you haven't experienced the highs and lows of the full spectrum, you wouldn't know. This video is deceptive.
@@cynthiathomas6690 first of all I’m 41 years old and I was raised in Newport News Virginia and we all know that there are certain places you do not go downtown Newport News you don’t go and there are good places in Newport news and education is not as bad as they put it up there and every city has a good part in a bad part so let me ask you where you live do you live in a good part of the bad part of the city that you stay in?
Somehow, he didn't list Richmond as the #1 worst place to live. Stunning... Everyone in Virginia knows that the state capitol is a REAL sh*thole... and I live in Newport News.
Video is fake news. It only focuses on minor property crime in low population areas and ignores gang crime and major violent crime in places like Richmond and Virginia beach. Plus the guys speech problems make the audio hard to listen to.
Lived on Hampton Avenue in downtown Newport News a couple years ago, on my 18th birthday I walked outside and saw a man layin on the sidewalk with a gunshot in his temple. Shits crazy
One of the most underrated cities in central VA is Lynchburg! I've lived here for two years and now is the best time to jump in to a revitalising community. The downtown is being transformed into a small business hub with resturaunts, shops, boutiques, and offices. Plenty of old buildings are just crying out to have a tenant move in and give them new life! And the housing is great, too. If you want to buy an old house on the cheap, flip it, and sell it for a huge profit, Lynchburg is the city to do it in. You can easily find a foreclosed house for under $50,000, put another $40,000 into it, and sell it for over $150,000. Or if you want a newer construction, there are tons of developments in the suburbs of Boonsboro, Forest, Madison Heights, and Timberlake. Engineers, nurses, and professors are always welcome here. And don't worry about being bored in a sleepy old town. We have tons of activities, both outdoor and indoor, to keep your weekends fun! Of course, with any city, there are some bad areas suffering from crime and blight, but I personally haven't experienced any crime and I live in a blighted neighbourhood. If you want to have the creature comforts of a city but the atmosphere of a small town, Lynchburg is a happy medium!
I grew up in Fairfax, and living in Northern Neck and Colonial Beach I recently moved to Lynchburg and bought one of those 150, k homes that had been flipped . Lynchburg has everything
No different than any other of the many places in this country. There's places you don't want to be when its dark and those that are safe anytime. Lot's of early history and Virginia pride abound. Give two Virginians five minutes together and they'll figure out how there are folks in their families that are kin.
I just moved to Hampton area about 10mos ago. And I came from body more better known as Baltimore Maryland so the gun shots here in the murders found nothing to put it to me I came from the norm unfortunately! 😑
Replace Roanoke with Charlottesville and this list is pretty accurate. C-Ville is a toxic DISASTER. Snobby bitter people everywhere in my experience sadly. Virtually all nice folks there were from other areas.
I live in Portsmouth and I adore it ♥️ it’s about as dangerous as Virginia Beach nowadays. It’s actually a really quiet and BEAUTIFUL place to live. The city just needs to learn how to fund things appropriately.
@@filipinofantasy yeah they’ve been doing some awesome changes to city park! 😊 If the city could just figure out how to appropriately distribute funds to certain areas, things COULD turn around a lot faster for our city. But funds don’t seem to be making it to the places they’re really needed.
Is VA Beach dangerous? My sister lived there for 20 years. I would visit often but mostly just stayed at the house and for weekends so I don't know the area well.
I live in Marion ... Why don't you do a video such as "5 good things about each of the 10 worst places in Virginia" and maybe help cast these locations in a more positive public light? Videos like this one directly contribute to the decline of these places, especially the smaller ones. It makes Marion sound like inner city Saint Louis- a completely ludicrous comparison- to certain potential tourists. It would be so beneficial and very much appreciated if you would use your influence and reach to help build us up instead of simply directly contributing to our decline in each of your productions. Pretty please, and many thanks.
Amen, I live 20 minutes away. On second thought though... Enough people are flocking here already, I'd kinda like that to slow down so we can keep our quiet slice of paradise in the most gorgeous mountains and valleys on earth to ourselves. Economy is good, but please don't overpopulate my mountains 🥺. And for damπ sure don't bring your city problems and corrupt policies here with you people!
OMG, I'm laughing so hard at that priceless song!! I'm going to record it, then add a Jaw's Harp (that doing doing sounding instrument) and some pedal steel country sounds into the background!
I said to myself I would rather walk the streets and be homeless then to move to Newport News Im never move your back there it's too demonic downtown them people need help Mentally!
Only lived in VA for two years. Moved to Williamsburg for school. Now I have to move out of the area over rising rent (it's up about 400 dollars in the last 2 years) and housing shortage (everyone seems to need a place, and there aren't enough within a reasonable price range). We have to stay close to my wife's job here in Williamsburg, but we have had to look progressively farther out, Newport News, then Hampton, now Richmond and Norfolk. And the crimes rates are something to turn a person off, but they also dont really reflect reality. You look at a crime map, and Williamsburg is all red and yellow. Low population means a small amount of crime overwhelms the statistics. When the basis is 1 crime per 100k population, a town like Williamsburg turns bright red after one crime. For the most part, crime stats mirror population density. The neighborhoods with higher crime have apartments instead of single family homes. But small towns are over-represented by crime stats, as they are separated by political boundaries rather than populations. This makes those stats and websites almost useless. Still, it'd be nice if we could find a place closer to the area we are used to living in. It's a bit scary that we might have to move an hour or more away just to find somewhere, anywhere, to live. PS the actual Virginians I've met usually agree that the biggest problem with Virginia is NOVA. Its income levels throw off the average for the State, and its population is, according to the people I meet, made up of Non-Virginians.
Honestly most parts of Newport News are a pretty darn good place to live. Been living here for about 15 years with a few years back and forth to Richmond area. The problem is that downtown (a fairly small corner of the city) is bad enough to bring the whooole city down lol. Parts of Denbigh aren’t the best, but the rest is pretty good. There’s a pretty good amount of middle class employment opportunity here thanks to the shipyards. A lot of military here too.
His choice of Newport News is confusing. Most of the entries on this list make sense (aside from Roanoke) but the Newport News edition is bizarre. As you said, most of the crime happens in a single portion of NN, and neighboring Hampton has a lot more poverty and gang activity. Uptown Newport News is like a completely different city than that one corner. There's also plenty of stuff to do (VA Living Museum, Mariner's Museum / Monitor Center, etc.), and he neglects the fact that a lot of the cool things in the other 757 cities are less than 30 minutes away. Anyone who lives in Hampton Roads in general knows where not to go, and thus they don't run into any of the criminal activity. Also, including Roanoke but excluding Martinsville and Buchanan is bizarre as well. Source: Born in Newport News and have lived in four of the seven 757 cities. Lived there for 19 years total before moving to Montgomery County.
@@EthanGuynn agree totally. Seems like he just looked at statistics and didn’t get more detailed/nuanced information that would have told him some of what you just expressed
I live in Roanoke and I have been a victim of crime, we have so many drug addicts and the amount of the homeless is a very large amount not to mention the death rates on a daily basis, it's sad to see how much things and people have changed
You know as a person who’s lived in Virginia most of my life and who lives in one of the poorest towns, usually people who do lists like these get so much wrong. However this is the first time someone has done this that I’ve seen where they are spot on about the problems. It’s absolutely beautiful out here but the poverty, crime, and straight up boredom from nothing being around is terrible. It’s why I have such a love/hate relationship with my home.
Here are all of my Virginia videos: ruclips.net/p/PLq-_cmf3H6yr0oIcQKAMMfMO1Z-n1t3By
Half of what you criticize are all good things... small town, low cost housing, nothing in the middle of nowhere - all positive points.
Crime is a disappointment, but it is Virginia, conceal carry is not that hard to get from a shall issue state. That said, it is a very bad idea to be a criminal in a state with a well armed and well trained population...
lol northern virginia is too overpopulated that alone makes it the worst place in virginia.
U live in North Carolina you need to quit yt
Emporia-You are not from the 757 (Southeast Virginia) if you don't have a speeding ticket from Emporia! It's a right of passage, no pun intended!
I have been to every one of these cities. South Boston once was a great city. They once were a city that caught a lot of the traffic that came down hwy 58, 501 and 360. They had tobacco farms, cotton an industry. Now it's a pretty dreadful place. Roanoke once was a productive city. Roanoke allowed the kids of the one's that helped keep that city running to run amuck. As well as the student's over at Virginia Tech. They also lost a lot of money as the elders died off an the kid's got jobs elsewhere. Then sold the land an if it had trees on it they sell that before the land . Danville is west of South Boston. A lot of the crime comes out of North Carolina up 29. They just approved a Casino for the downtown area right on the river. Emporia sits on a route that was followed down the east coast of the states. You mention racing. Yes that is a big thing in mid to south Virginia . Lots of race tracks in Virginia an one is in South Boston . The speeding part is because there are a number of court house's around that area. Galax is a very rural area. You mention unemployment rate there, theres no jobs there it use to have a lot of farm's that employed the children of the families that lives on family land. Now that it's almost impossible to have a productive farm Because of many reasons, the unemployment has went thru the roof. The home value there has fell off a cliff because the houses there have decayed. Petersburg does have a massive crime problem, which has a lot to do with the even more massive drug problem . This once productive city has fell to the wayside. Newport News as well as Portsmouth has a lot of the issues come in thru the water area they get flooded with drugs brought in on boat's.
As a retired police officer who has been through the grind of working in the worst parts of Maryland I'd have to say that you have to take murder rates with a grain of salt. When you hear of murder rates in an area it does cause concern if you plan on living in particular towns or cities. From my experience most of these murders involve narcotics or gang related issues. If you're not part of that life then the only thing that would prevent me from deciding to live in a particular area are car thefts and break in statistics. And if you have kids I highly suggest checking for all sex offenders registered in your area. That being said, there are areas within cities that have a bad rep for crime that actually are good and safe neighborhoods. So before you say no to a city on this list, do your homework and see where those good communities are.
can we chat? on a private level? I'd like to pick your brain
As a former Leo in the state of Virginia, this list is pretty accurate.
Thank you
As a Leo currently in VA, I have to agree with you. The city I work in has a fairly high shooting/agg assault rate, with a noticeable increase in homicides recently.... However, it's almost a guarantee to be drug/gang related, and generally with juveniles.. it's also usually confines to the same areas, generally as narrowed down as specific block numbers of a street. As mentioned, if you are outside of that life, and do homework on the streets call history, you really don't have much to be too concerned with regarding those numbers. Burglary, car thefts, larcenies would be my concern.. , however, a large portion of those fall in the same category, as they are often falsely reported, and actually are the result of a bad narcotics transaction or gang "beef"... The one area that is difficult to avoid is how are the school systems, as you can't avoid that by choice of which area of the city you wish to live. Because that gang violence DOES carry over into innocent kids sometimes
@@davidmuncy7862 Very true brother. Stay safe out there.
The cost of living difference between NOVA and the rest of VA is insane
Which is exactly why, after over 7 decades in Arlington, I could no longer afford to live there.
They're two different worlds. Nova is where most of virginians live and it's liberal. The rest of virginia is basically no different than west virginia.
@@2011blueman That is pretty wrong. I guess you aren't too familiar with the rest of VA huh?
Used to live in Fairfax County, and the Rents are too expensive to live there! When an opportunity to transfer to VA Beach came up, I took it! The Rents and the Cost for buying a House are a lot Cheaper than in NoVA! Glad I moved down here, and just a short drive to the Beach!
@@zachary7897 sorry Zach, but it's pretty true.
The fact he drove past my old house is embarrassing lmaoooo I even saw my car out front 😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
Much respect identifying that omg
Why would your car be parked outside of your "old" house? Or is this yet just another silly question?
757 my G! 🤘😁
@@Lisa1111 because this was filmed when he lived in the house, he most likely moved since this was filmed
I’ve been in the Shenandoah Valley my whole life .I’ve traveled a lot but there’s no place I Love more than our Valley 💙
We just moved from NoVA to the Shenendoah Valley. It is incredibly beautiful here but I am shocked to find that the majority of people (that I've encountered) are even less friendly than in NoVA.
When you see too many Dollar Stores, it's never a good sign.
Oof! Did you know that Dollar Tree is based out of Chesapeake?
Well the national headquarters for Dollar Tree is in Chesapeake so.....
So true
😆good point
I see more 711 then I do dollar store
You are absolutely right about emporia being a super speed trap! I thought only us Virginians knew about that. Good job
They used to pull my grandmother and her sister over every time they drove through Emporia. They were each in their seventies.
Visiting home from Florida i have to put cruise control on as soon as I hit Emporia. I'm use to going 70 mph on 95 down here.
Emporia goes from 55mph, to 35mph, to 45mph, to 30mph, all in the same 10 mile stretch
Petersburg should be on this list also. I was born and raised in Richmond Va. and I still live there. Its bad and Chesterfield County has gotten bad in the past few years.
@@americangal9292 Especially over in the 5th Ward and by Tanglewoods.
As someone who lives in Newport News on the far west side, it really depends on where you go. "Don't go on the numbered streets" is a common saying that I abide by except when I go to work. The sketchy areas are many, but there are tons of good places in NN to live.
Yeah, really surprised we beat out Portsmouth for the number 1 spot
I tried to avoid going to Newport News when I used to live in VB. Heard a lot about it. I had to go there one time for a traffic ticket court but that was it.
@@CesarOdulio it's not that bad lol. It's mainly downtown Newport news where a lot of the crime is! It's usually a personal shooting. Which is the side of Newport news closest to the shipyard. I have had plenty of friends and family who live in downtown Newport news And know people who live there, nothing has ever happened to them. There are a lot of homes and nice families that live out there.
I grew up in downtown Newport News. I live uptown now it’s like night and day.
I grew up in downtown Newport News. I live uptown now it’s like night and day.
Born and raised in Portsmouth, and just lived there again for 4 years a couple of years ago. I suppose the numbers must be taken into account when figuring worst city, but when you’re actually living there, most of Portsmouth is OK. Same with Newport News which is also a part of Hampton Roads aka Tidewater. This area is 7 major cities lumped together with several outlying areas so it doesn’t so much matter if there’s not much to do in one city. All the others are nearby and it’s more like one giant area made of several cities than it is just one city, so there’s always something to do not too far away, even if it’s not in the city where you live. Hampton Roads is a great place with all different type landscapes, entertainment, cultures, etc.
I think this video about Virginia proves one thing pretty conclusively. Poverty breeds crime, no matter who lives in these areas. Commerce has left many of these areas, and as James Baldwin said in the 1960s, "The most dangerous creation in the world is a man who has nothing to lose."
Okay. What breeds poverty??
Veronica well said. As an example Corrections Officer this is one of my biggest fear. Nothing to lose means anything could happen.
I do see a correlation between poverty and crime. Hope one day we can change this
@@Blackmullet40 i think you already know the answer to this.
@@Miss_AriStarry yep
Uhhh bullshit, poverty doesn't breed crime. Most ppl that live in those neighborhoods. DONT COMMIT crimes. The best question is where does wealth come from. Uhh working. Acting right. Being productive.
For the folks saying, "why is Richmond not on here because it's worse than the cities mentioned?" It's because when it comes to crime, cities are ranked by crime per capita. Smaller towns with high crime will seem more violent because there is a higher chance you will be affected by a crime then if you live in a large city.
But Richmond is so damn ghetto
What about violent crime or gang violence? Porch pirates in small towns worse than drive by shootings and murder in bigger cities? Get out of here! Way to cherry pick statistics. Takes no account of Violent Crime what so ever! Fake video.
Bro what u talking about one of my friends got shot a couple weeks ago and plus one month or sum they shot up apartment with drcos what are u talking about
Richmond was once the murder capital of the world! Not the state but the World i used to work for the department of corrections headquarters and people stand out in front of there with signs everyday not to mention there is a small patch of woods right there and there is an entire homeless village in there!
@@masonoldson9534 I’d choose Richmond over places like Norfolk which wasn’t even on this list. Granted both places have their share of shitty and somewhat decent neighborhoods, Richmond just has more to do. I would never put Richmond up in the categories of Petersburg, Ptown, Newport News, and Norfolk.
I used to live in Tazewell, Va. About a 30 minute drive from #9 on this list Richlands. Friendliest people I've met in my life. Miss that Southern Hospitality
Bluefield va here. I agree.
You lived in what is left of God's Country .... do not allow yourself to forget it or be talked out of it.
I live in tazewell va . Lived in va beach va and california and came bck to the country
I hate it here they hate you if your different and pretend to be nice. Would rather be with ducks who are honest than fake mother tricks in norton va but I do like tazwell ppl they nice to me
I live in bluefield
I grew up near Martinsville in the 70’s, born in 65. Back then it was amazing what a thriving place it was. More millionaires per capita than any city in the US. Even the post-WW2 blue collars like my dad managed to prosper. A very idyllic place. Feel blessed to have lived there but by the mid 80’s the writing was on the wall. Been gone 35 years now. I get depressed when I go back and see what has happened but hey, that’s progress right??
I grew up for 20 years in NoVa. Moved out an hour away in wine country last year and the difference is night and day. I might be a NoVa native but the kindness and quiet out here is wayyyy better.
Amen. I live in stafford and work in Alexandria yes the drive on 95 sucks but it’s worth every mile goin back home 😂
@@gwood69 Grew up in Fairfax County. Now live in City of Fredericksburg. The traffic and the "DC mentality" are awful.
Ditto. Thirty four years in Fauquier. NoVA is a nightmare!
I always brag that we are #1 in the country. Unfortunately, it's for the worst traffic in the US. 😊
I live in Norfolk. Moved here from Williamsburg. I was surprised that Norfolk didn't make the list honestly. When I moved here I was scared because of all the things people say and the things about Norfolk that are on the news daily. I moved here for ODU. I love ODU, the area that I live in isn't so bad. I've now lived in Norfolk for 6 years and nothing bad has happened to me, (knock on wood) but I do hear about the occasional shootings way far down the street from me through ODU police alerts. Oh and by the way...I try with all my heart to avoid Portsmouth, but that is legit only because I want to avoid the tolls from the midtown tunnel. There is no way I'm taking the long way to Portsmouth, so I just never go period!
Im surprise also
I moved to Norfolk in 1975. I took the 1st job I could find. It was at a KFC in Virginia Beach. I wasn't told until much later I was hired to take the place of a woman who was found murdered in the backroom where the cooking was done. Her name was Debra Mcinnis, I believe. The guy who did the cooking in the back kept telling me her husband must have done it, because he's acting suspicious by always driving by the restaurant. It turned out the cook David Mark Pruett however, is the one who actually did it. He ended up being caught for another woman's murder 10 years later. I've never figured out however, whether or not the cook who worked there when I did was David. I didn't keep that job for very long anyway, nor did I end up staying in Virginia. Even though this technically happened in Virginia Beach and not Norfolk, I don't have a shortage of scary crime stories about Norfolk, either. But to make a long story a bit shorter, Norfolk/Va Beach, have both been crazy for awhile!
i live in norfolk its not bad like these other places
Downtown Newport News.
Norfolk has nice places too. In Norfolk you have to know the area. Rule of thumb… you get what you pay for. If it’s too frugal it’s a bad neighborhood.
I've lived in Norfolk my whole life & really surprised Norfolk didn't make the list.
Shout out to Ghent
Kaitlyn, my deepest sympathy! Give us your exact address and we'll all send you a sympathy card
Actually , I've lived here my whole life and depending on where you are it's relatively safe. As long as you aren't involved in drugs , gangs , and you politely mind your own business people leave you to your own. The worst I've dealt with it maybe two car break ins and shooting on holidays , but maybe that's to be expected due to the particular area I'm in.
@Anthony lee I shouted out Ghent because that’s my chill spot when I slide to Norfolk.
@Anthony lee y'all gonna have to be trying a little bit harder so y'all can make the list the next time. I'm sure y'all can do it. Just visited that shole not a month or so ago
I live in NOVA. Super safe, excellent schools, terrible traffic, terribly overpriced, many snobs. Everyone is super educated, but it is hard to find a really good long term genuine friend.
I don’t run into too many snobs. But absolutely, hard to make friends. I just hate that it’s so liberal
you're kidding, the part of the state where all the federal politicians live have all the cops and good schools?!?!? No!!!!
Housing there is keeping folk of color out.
This... The majority of people in this area suck.
I live in the Nova area too!
I cannot be the only Virginian correcting his pronunciation the whole time
Yeah he pronounced Danvul wrong.
I LIve in Northuberland County, VA.
He definitely said ROWnoke correctly, I grew up there!
I was to
And the wrong areas LOL.
I lived in Roanoke and loved every minute of it between the zoo, and Mill mountain the Christmas festivities and small town feel and I always felt safe. Not to mention the history and transportation museum, if I ever get the chance to move back I will in a heart beat.
Amen
If you can make a decent paycheck there, Roanoke and SW Va have a lot of great things to offer…but 99% of the people living in these places can’t do more than scrape by paycheck to paycheck. Also weather is not great. Still the real estate prices are mighty tempting.
@catherine mitchell sorry your cup is half empty. Or all the way empty.if you live where you perceive it as shithole, you should move. Otherwise if you're not part of the solution, then you are the problem.or just STFU.
I moved there 14 years ago love it
@@benchoflemons398 Does Roanoke, VA really have the hottest employment market in US history? I just talked to family there the other night and they aren't talking a big game about all the millions flocking there for all the great jobs.
Marion has Hungry Mother State park. The place is beautiful.
Virginia’s big issue is NOVA is full of transplants who don’t care about the rest of the state. Life long NOVA residents want better for the state.
There is no life long NOVA you are all transplant if not your parents. The lot of you have ruined my state......
How did it get the name Hungry Mother?
All the DC residents need to stay in DC or move to Maryland and stop turning our state into Cali
Yes, just like Manhattan and western Brooklyn is full of transplants and yuppies who don't care about the rest of the city. You expecting them to care when all they want is a apartment downtown to get to their high paying job faster and to be around expensive bars and nightclubs. As long as all the new Starbucks and Whole Foods chain's spring up they couldn't be happier.
@@johnpublic793,story is two settlers found an Indian toddler with its dead mother and it kept saying hungry mother in the Cherokee language not realizing it mother was dead. This is supposed to have happened in what is now the park.
The areas you mentioned may be a desired destination in future times of crisis. There is a country song about it... Country Boys Can Survive. And, by the way... there is a say'n 'round here... Don't mess with Mama Bear cause she is a pack'n, too. What goes around, comes around. We will remember being called a redneck when you are starving and running from the cities.
Hello Nick, I moved to Danville Virginia, August of 2020. I am 64 years old and living on my Social security. My sister moved here 8 years and my wife and I visited, and love the small town versus Los Angeles CA. In the year that I have lived in Danville, I Love it. Cost of living is 45% cheaper than L.A. and I bought a 3 bedroom house for 30K that's really nice. You can not buy a garage in L.A. for that.
I'm thinking about moving there
How did you not put Richmond on here??I live in Richmond,its the capital AND one of the most dangerous and drug infested cities in Virginia and probably the east coast.
Facts
Sickening how violent. I live in the west end and it's gotten bad here too. Just a couple of days ago a man and woman shot, woman killed, and the young girl shot in broad daylight a few weeks ago here, Lucia (sorry, forgot her last name,). Just naming recent crimes in the area where I live, but not more than a few miles there are shootings it seems almost daily. Smh
Edit: May 30th now. On May 11th, a friend of the family (and neice to my husband's brother, his wife's neice by blood) was shot and killed by her "boyfriend". They both were 18. She's gone, and his court date is August 31 in Henrico Co. They lived only 10 minutes from us. So as I was posting this pre:edit comment, it was about the same time frame. Very strange, very tragic. Brittney was a bright, energetic, loving person who believed the best of everyone. In fact, in her so-called boyfriend too. 😪
@@reybensoulmates6498 so sorry for your loss GOD be with you.
@@ivanaamoako2753 thank you very much. ❤
@@reybensoulmates6498 your very welcome
Virginia is a beautiful state, our mountains and our beaches anyone would love….unfortunately some of our cities are poorly maintained 😔
Bad Politicians
LOL, "poorly maintained", that's disingenuous. They're are major ghettos in all big cities in Va.
I think you meant hills not mountains
@@kennithumperovitch1312 yea liberals
Yes and all run by Marxist Democrats. They let the criminals roam free while law abiding citizens always have to look over their shoulder.
I was born in Turkey. But when I was 5, I had a chance to go to America. I went to Virginia Beach for 3 years and came back. I went to all the navy counties/cities, and it wasn’t that too bad in news port news
Cuz they keep the thugs OUT!!!
I went to college at Virginia Tech, in Southwest Virginia. I'm from NJ so I'm not native to VA but it really is a wonderful state. So beautiful and NOVA is a really nice area. Would consider moving there some day. But yeah while the rural parts are pretty gorgeous they are unfortunately on economic hard times. Hope things turn up for them.
Let's Go Hokies!
I wouldn't mind living in VA. I would probably move to Chesapeake VA.
That's why they are still beautiful; not corrupted by the NoVa influence to pave every single square mile. 😉
Where are you from in New Jersey? I lived there too.
I lived around Blacksburg/ surrounding area for about 10 years, great place, great people, also some of the scariest backwoods "country folk" you'd ever meet, interesting mix.
I am British and loved my time in Virginia. Great memories of Windsor Farms and the kind people I met as a visitor. I loved Richmond too.
Thanks for visiting!!
@@benchoflemons398 why is it i'm from England and I'm visiting in July 😊
I bet you did enjoy Windsor Farms, that’s like the richest neighborhood in Richmond. Windsor Farms is “old money.”
Richmond is nice
I live where there’s a thing called wild Sally Road
Last comment, I own my home. Ive remained employed since 19. Im 50 now. Im a home body so the Roanoke area is fine with me. Come visit Virginia!
I bought a house in my mom's VA hometown during the Covid year. If I sold right now, six months later, I'd sell it for at least 20% more, not a bad half-year return. But as for VA, the more I look, the more I like as a whole....
I moved to Roanoke and then Bedford in 2014. I actually worked right on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I loved it. I moved there from my hometown, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. You want to talk crime, drugs, bad weather! Virginia was a literal paradise compared to South Florida. Yes, you can do anything as it is nonstop people and activity in South Florida but some of us want peace and quiet. You can't beat the natural beauty of VA. It just seems trendy to drag western Virginia and Appalachia.
Some of my best mountain biking was outside Roanoke.
I was thinking of moving over there soon. I’ve never been yet. But it looks really nice in Roanoke. Is it pretty affordable to live there?
@@lilred00051 my folks live in Bedford, it's so nice there!!
As a Virginia resident let me explain why this list is the way it is and why NOVA is so different. It has to do with politics. For decades corrupt politicians syphoned tax dollars from most of the state and paid it to lobbyists and counties in NOVA. Most people in my area call Northern Virginia NOTVA as opposed to NOVA.
I was born and raised in Newport News. The city definitely has it’s share of bad areas, but there are decent areas too. The historic Hilton area, on the James River, is super nice, and the Oyster Point area carries the city financially.
I live right on the other side of the JRB, go to NN several times a week. Small world! :D
@@Vendicia Nice area over there, but growing fast.
I agree about Hilton. Nice vintage homes.
Unfortunately the shipyard should carry the city financially but I feel like 757 is giving up on Newport News
I agree some parts of Newport News are really nice. Just live in Williamsburg.
what about hampton?
Southern Virginia is for lovers
Northern Virginia is apart of the DMV
😂😂😂😂 Virginia puts the V in DMV. U must be one of these DC Maryland influenced Virginians
@@804conglomeratemusicfamily9 Right! NOVA ain’t VA lol
Lol
Unfortunately NOVA dominates the politics in VA.
@Janet Hughes true
I grew up in New Kent, VA my whole life, & I’ve honestly never been happier living in Newport News. Yeah there’s bad parts, but it’s also home to the nations first planned neighborhood, Hilton Village, & also has plenty million dollar neighborhoods. While there is abundant crime, as long as you know what you’re doing, Newport News is a great place to live!
Me too. What part of Newport News you live in?
Tell em Sarah
It’s all about cultural diversity right? Just keep telling ourselves that.
Big facts. Alot of history here. Good n bad. But being frm Newport news. I luv it😂🤣😂🤣😂.. except wen Newport news finest 🚓🚨🚓🚨🚓.🤬%*+/%*w u.
Damn, Sarah.. You're one hot firecracker
So cool, this video and your cute song made me laugh. Thank you. You have great videos. I've watched too many to count... and, thank you for your great since of humor.
Ok Michelle ❤️❤️
My Dad moved to Petersburg in the 60's. It was reputable place to live. We moved away in 1969 because he got a better job in Henrico. Over the following years the demographics in Petersburg changed and became a run down and struggling small city. The circle of life has landed me 2 miles outside of Petersburg in a nice area.
I.E. the blacks move in. Just say that
Guessing you live in Colonial Heights
@@Larping101 if that’s the case, ain’t much better lol
I remember Petersburg from 1983-1984 when the city actually had a heartbeat. It was the place to go for the mall (Walnut Mall), and visit the historic downtown with it's many old historic houses. I returned for a visit in 2016 -- what a horror story. I couldn't believe the decline, poverty and crime that has beleaguered this area - unbelievable. FYI: Hopewell and Colonial Heights aren't exactly above the mark either.....sad really.
Kinda like your ancestors stealing America? So sad
If you lived here, you would know that Downtown Newport News and the rest of the city are like night and day. Most of Newport News is a lovely place to live!
Ya the bottom is pretty bad. But uptown in denbigh area not that bad
When most people think of a downtown people think of tall buildings, tourist attractions and night life. Downtown Newport News has none of that. Tallest building is Riverpark Tower which is only 19 stories. As for night life stay away if you valve you life.
Came here to say this i love where I live and never even make it downtown hardly ever
Wrong!! Downtown and Huntington Heights are both fairly quiet areas. The northern part of Newport News is where a lot of the violent crimes take place.
Back in the 1970's I lived briefly in the Denbigh part of NN and really enjoyed it. So surprised to see NN as #1 and worse than Petersburg or Norfolk. Last year, we toured Christopher Newport University and were really impressed with the beautiful campus. This just doesn't make sense. What is going on with Newport News?
How is Richmond not up here !?! 😭
Because Richmond is the best place to live in Virginia.
But there are some pretty bad places in Richmond like the industrial area gets pretty bad
They don't know anything about Richmond.we still have all da pj's ,highland park,northside,Southside,etc.he did this list before and goofed.i understand doe he ain't trying to go there 4 real.
@@kimanipatiller4404 yeah fr its gets real bad there is definitely money to be made when you get into the big city part of Richmond but you hit the low income industrial areas it gets bad I went to Richmond last weekend and saw 2 dudes full on fist fight in the parking lot of a dollar general and one of the dudes had a broken nose and was bloody all to hell im surpsied he didn't kill himn
Richmond might be up there I live there it gets iffy at some points but it’s alright
We live in King William county, VA along the Mattaponi river. It’s quiet but lovely, the history is really cool and the people are kind
NOVA is the best place to live in Virginia? Sure if you love insane cost of living, mile after mile of homogenized suburban sprawl, and sitting in gridlocked traffic every single day. Sounds like paradise! lol
Before their were United Nations their was The Commonwealth were all the Kings and Queens have a common law . Then came colonialism which brought Virginia who seen British and Civil wars . So Virginia knows better than any state when it comes to crime. I've lived here most of my life and is less stressful than other states .
I lived in Virginia most of my life. Grew up in Lynchburg, went in the military, came back to Lynchburg for a year before moving to Norfolk where I would live and work for 31 years, retired after working for the City of Norfolk, and moved back to Lynchburg. I love Lynchburg as there is much happening here that is good. Also in Lynchburg we are blessed with no interstate highway.
I moved from Tazewell to Lynchburg after College. I have been here for 22 years. I am not going anywhere. I was blessed to buy a house in Forest(about 20 mins from downtown Lynchburg) but i work in Lynchburg..It's a perfect fit for me. I am dead center of the state. No interstate issues. Great golf, food, Liberty University is bringing big time football to the "Hill City" and the university is growing, fishing, the culture/ history, festivals and wine festivals. I love it. It truly is a great place to live and retire.
Lynchburg is 🗑
@@linkthompson8772 lol @ "the culture"
I feel Lynchburg is a progressive area.
Lynchburg is nice. Of course it got some Hoods but there is a lot if History here. I love it here. There are things to do now. We have a Comedy Club Venue
We moved just south of South Boston and, to be honest, we feel very safe walking up and down the streets here. There are several new business that have opened up in the past year and the city is always doing free events at Constitution Square. I recently spoke with a police officer at our farmer's market and he told me that last month, there were 8 consecutive days without someone calling 911. He actually told me he asked to be transferred to SoBo from Richmond due to the lower crime rate.
I think it would be interesting to revisit this list in about a year or two and see if anything has changed, like for example, the fact that Danville will soon be opening up a new multi million dollar Cesar's Casio. Good video tho, very informative!
Exactly I live in Danville and the fact that people think the casino is going to be a good thing for Danville is crazy to me considering how bad crime and homelessness already is
A lot of VA's issues (excluding NOVA & tidewater area) can be contributed to 2 things: many textile, furniture, etc. factorys closed or moved with nothing to really replace them and coal mines as well. Second, the opioid epidemic hit the same areas extremely hard. Overprescribed pain medications that resulted in many people becoming addicted. Now you have the tighter restrictions on those medicines being prescribed but there are many people who are already in active addiction so many of those people have turned to meth. I see this everyday in the area I live and it is terrible.
Combine those 2 things with many of these small towns have nothing to do and it's a recipe for a not so great place to live.
The most high God will redeem
Crystal meth or methadone?
@@Vendicia Does it matter? Lol 😂
@@delonteshalom4831 Amen!💒⛪⛪⛪⛪🌈🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
Video ignores major violent crimes in larger cities only to focus on minor property crimes in lower population areas. It's simple omitting of statistics of violence. Would you rather have an Amazon package stolen off your porch in Danville or get Murdered in Richmond? Would you rather have your bike stolen in Collinsville or get shot in Virginia Beach? Video is BS and so is the SIMP who made it!
I got to Virginia because I got stationed at the Norfolk Naval base ... I love Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and definitely planning on going back there after I retire from the Navy! Cannot wait!! Sad to see Portsmouth and Newport News made this list... but I see that though 😞
Thank you for your service, ma'am
Grew up in Portsmouth. Born in 96.
Yeah it’s been rife with crime. I blame the politicians, lack of jobs from suffocating tolls, and the poor education system.
I love how he chose not to disclose Newport News Shipbuilding, Wells Fargo and Bank of America denied thousands of black applicants jobs because of the color of their skin. All of them paid fines for racial discrimination. That’s another reason why it’s so much Crime.
Born and raised in NN and it's really not that bad he's just talking about downtown NN once you cross that bridge from the shipyard. NN has a lot of really nice places, neighborhoods, restaurants, stores, etc. If you're a native you know which spots to watch your back at like any city.
The Oyster point area is where to be now or near Patrick Henry mall area if you don't mind the congested traffic
@@rodneysessoms8804 Yeah it's super nice over there now.
NN?
@@tonythornton2116 Newport News VA.
@+only5381 Chestnut....... yikes!😅
Danville has definitely gotten better in the past couple years. now that Caesar's is coming, a lot of shops and stores have popped up. in the past 5 years of living here, i've noticed a n increase in Teslas, Porches, Mercedes, more 'trendy' places, and a younger class of people. i actually think the city is doing as best as it can to revive itself.
"Now that Caesar's is coming", The tourists can visit the Schoolfield slums across the tracks from the casino, see Confederate flags flying in many neighborhoods, and drive through the state's only unsynchronized traffic lights.
Two out of three buffet restaurants, Colden Corral and the Chinese one went out of business several years ago. No airlines or busses serve Danville, and Amtrak stops once each way, per night. Danville does have more Food Lion grocery stores than any other city, and the Largest Walmart in this part of the country. What else is there to draw people to the "Resort"?
As a Danville resident who has lived here all my life I can say that at no other time can I remember as many homeless people or people flat-out begging for money then in the last 4 years or so, I don't know about this casino as I feel that it will just increased crime, and poverty..... Between the pill heads and gangs I just hope that the security at the casino will be top-notch lol
As a Virginian, this list isn't surprising. We all know those places suck.
Yup. I’ve been to Roanoke and Danville and both are rundown and creepy
I live outside of hampton roads and I sitting here going yep...yep...yep lol
I'm originally from Loudoun County and moved down to Pulaski County a little 2 years ago. What a culture shock it's been but, the people here make up for that . Love it but still getting use to it 🍻
As a Virginian.....speak for yourself.
You gotta agree Lee Co is bad
When I first moved to RVA a DMV employee gave me some advice. "Virginia is a very unforgiving state." They will find anyway to drain money from your pocket. They are predators!!!
I have lived in Hampton Roads most of my life and I really cannot argue with this.
Were you actually in Richmond City or were you in a county i.e. Chesterfield or Henrico?
Very true. I’d rather live in Tennessee or somewhere else where it doesn’t cost so much to live but stuck here
Commonwealth state unfortunately.
@@nekkoskrilla6750 been here for 11 years and I still don't understand how the counties are divided. Doesn't help that I've mostly lived in places that are close to the lines.
Having traveled pretty much the entire state of VA. working in sales for many years I can't disagree with most of your choices in fact I could have named at least half of those before watching. The one issue I would take with your video which I enjoyed is if you can afford to live in the nicer part of town almost any city is very livable but if you can't then it can be scary to say the least. Newport News as an example has some very expensive areas that are top notch so life there is excellent while down by the shipyard it gets really dangerous after dark. Many of these cities have some things in common that tend to make matters get worse. In most cases one demographic leaves while another stays and takes over running that city into poverty and despair and the next thing you know you're on a list of places not to live.
Hello from the Shipyard 😆
Tactfully put
Nick you’ve spent a good deal of time putting this hit piece together. You opened with a short comment about where you obtained the statistics to develop this list. People in these cities and towns are doing what they can to have life, liberty and pursue happiness. Your snide remarks and innuendoes show how little you know about the places you critique. You comments are rude and not welcome. Where did you grow up? Do you live there now? Finally what critique do have for your home town. Joe Boone
I have lived in Virginia most of my 61 years and I feel that your list needs to be corrected. You need to replace Roanoke with Martinsville. Martinsville is far worst than Roanoke ever will be.
Amen to that! I’m from Martinsville originally
I agree. I live and work in Martinsville and the only redeemable quality is that cost of living is low. I am fortunate to have a good career here, but if someone doesn't then there is no reason to stay here. Unless you work in the public school system, community college, or medical services you will have a hard time making it here.
@@tanekahairston5889 Most everyone I knew from Martinsville left. There just aren't many opportunities to succeed financially outside of education or medical.
@@siskodefiant4275 I left in 2004, best decision I could have made for me and my two children
@@tanekahairston5889 That was a good time to leave. So many people lost jobs just before that and they were coming to PHCC to get degrees/skills for new careers. I don't blame anyone for leaving. I hope you have continued success. 👍🏾
Even though NoVa and DC seem snobby, everyone pays a price. The cost of living is insane. Also you have to leave stupid early to get to work and miss traffic. Then god forbid some idiot rear-ends a car on 95, your less than relaxing 1 hour drive home on a good day turns into 3. Why? Because everyone is freaking nosy, and god didn’t give them the sense to not rubberneck and have another accident. 95 from DC to Fredericksburg is one of the worst traffic areas in the country.
At one point I did Woodbridge to Laurel Md everyday. At the time they were building the I95 express lanes. Commute on a summer Fri night would be about an hour from Laurel to the I95\495 interchange, then 1-4 hours to Woodbridge.
You are correct in one respect. Amazing that so many people act as though they have never seen a firetruck or cop car w/ their lights on.
It is just horrendous!
Born and raised in nova just moved. Thank god
My dad commutes from Charlottesville to Rockville, MD 1-2 times a week. He didn’t want to live in nova so we lived in Charlottesville and he would commute
very true, driving along 95 as well you encounter the intense road raging from pissed off drivers who wish they weren't in 2+ hours long traffic. so easy to get into a fatal car crash in that section of 95
Virginia is a great state to see and I love the nature there and the mountains as well.
crazy rebels
I live there
Nah it sucks here
Hey 8-bit you have a crazy awesome channel about Beyblade. Thanks for visiting my home state.
I lived in Virginia since I was born and it’s super fun and it’s a great state unlike California or other states that are bad.
Not to put the residents down, but where's Tazewell? I dated a girl from there back in early 2008 and felt like I was being spied on everywhere I went...quite creepy when I had nothing to be skeptical of.
I've grown up going to Marion for errands so I've spent a lot of time there. My grandparents built a house north of Saltville in the middle of nowhere. Marion has one of the closest Wal-marts to where we live. Marion is not too bad. I love Wolfe's BBQ downtown. In fact, the downtown is pretty cute. I have a cousin that lives in Richlands haha. There's a lot of poor people up there, I will agree. Coal mining and manufacturing used to be the name of the game, but a lot of that is gone now. Most people are ranchers or grow corn for cattle feed. It's a beautiful area and I love to visit up in rural western VA. There are some really great people up there.
Marion is that small town that wants so hard to be good. It's unfortunate that the town politicians and the police department seemingly work against the town's interests and it shows - unfortunately. The only people there more corrupt or hypocritical are the ministers of every denomination.
BTW, I lived near there long enough to realize I could never live there again. I love my west coast life now.
I use to go trout fishing in Saltville Virginia
I live in Marion. It is portrayed in this video as horrible in every imaginable way, and that's completely inaccurate.
The totally "negative only" potrayal of these smaller places in videos like this one has actually become a direct and leading contributor of their decline.
I am from Tazewell. I know all about Saltville, Marion and Richlands. Use to go fishing at Roaring Fork on the first mountain from Tazewell heading towards Marion. Spent many of 4 of July's at Hungry Mothers Park. I love home...
I moved back to Tazewell 4 years ago
You forgot Hopewell. One of the most drug infested small cities in Virginia. Funny, u have them listed on your other vids as one of your worst cities in Va.
I played football against and them the coaches cussed out kids
Lol...Hopelessville
DOPEWELL!!!! I live in Dinwiddie and it’s pretty bad too 😬
@@squatchchop4222 I call it shitwell.
@@veeseee128 I like that one better lol
I just moved to Portsmouth Virginia in the downtown area not too far from the naval hospital in Old Town.. I absolutely love it
I’ll show you around come through the tunnel
Portsmouth city park is pretty cool. Tennis golf crabbing pier fishing pier boat ramp and tons of playground equipment it sounds like a theme park. They even have a little train for the kiddos
I would rather live in any of those places than Northern VA!
Danville is actually a little higher than I thought it would be. But you are right. The city council has been putting a lot of effort into improving areas of our town that have been neglected since Dan River outsourced operations to India and the Tobacco industry crumbled. There is a huge casino project in the works and real estate is beginning to be scooped up by investors to go along with an enormous industrial park on Berry Hill Rd so there may be a chance to save the city in the end.
@@2L82Pray1 you ever been around Danville? And clearly you don't try to be polite since that was your default.
No doubt about that, India took all American jobs. Either jobs move to India or Indian moved to America. Every body focusing against China, and Indian taking everything. All made in china goods replacing by poor quality made in India. Even Aldi shops doing that. In this geopolitical game, American's are loosing 100%.
I hope so. Cause other than fishing and going out to eat you have to make fun your own way here
You guys are getting a casino in Danville? I've been to Danville and is sad what's happen there. It feels like Baltimore, MD, only further south.
@@kammorris5902 correct, they broke ground on a 600 million dollar project recently. It has been a long and painful road but there are a lot of things over the last 10-15 years that have been put in place that will finally pay dividends for the community in the coming years.
I live in Grottoes Virginia, our population is almost 3000 and the Appalachian trail is literally in my backyard. Our town is amazing we have no crime I have seen the police on my road two times in eight years that I’ve lived here. I have neighbors my neighbors have neighbors, so it’s not just one house in the middle of nowhere. People go in their backyards and just shoot their guns nobody thinks twice its normal here, we don’t go to a gun range we just practice in our backyards. We have one little tiny police station the most action is somebody speeding or maybe a drunk driver, and if we want to get to a bigger city Harrisonburg Virginia it’s 20 minutes away. My husband drives to Harrisonburg for work every morning, and Grottoes has the caverns! Grottoes is an amazing little Virginia town, where if you’re broke down on the side of the road or you need help somebody will be there to help you in two seconds I’m not joking. I’ve needed help on the side of the road one from a car accident the other my car broke down, people were there to help me before I could blink i’m not kidding I love this town there’s only a few idiots here.
The town is almost entirely dependent on JMU for its economy though. If it weren't for the nearby university town, it would be as impoverished as other small mountain towns are.
@@jazzfeline5970 We don’t rely on JMU, we rely on all the many factories that are around. My husband makes $27 an hour in a small town, the college students don’t live in Grottoes. I don’t know maybe research it first.
Hey there, I used to live in Elkton! Grottoes is a nice small town and it’s true all those farmers (and other people too) will help you out like you were their daughter.
Most of the small towns are dead or dieing.. the state took all the nice byways that went through them and turned them into hyways, no more scenic drives... no more spur of the moment stops in shops or interesting looking places... just speed from place to place. I personally enjoyed driving in the towns and mountains...
The States “Virginia is for Lovers”, was originally, “Virginia is for History Lovers”. But it was changed because it wasn’t catchy. I grew up in eastern Va. It was a wonderful place to grow up. Great schools and low crime. But the past few decades brought people from other states to work at the shipyards. Overcrowding, and drugs ravaged the area. The narrator got a few facts wrong. Plenty of entertainment and the Portsmouth shipyard has days where they allow people to visit and board submarines. Very cool to sit at one of the many outdoor restaurants and watch the ships come in and out of the harbor. Many many things have changed and gotten worse over the years. But it’s still home to me despite the changes. Narrator speaks rumors and half truths. He doesn’t live there and insults our home.
I would disagree with the statement that the best places to live are in Northern Virginia. It's prohibitively expensive to live here, the traffic is the worst in the entire country, and yeah the people are very snobby.
My top 3 would be Tidewater, around Richmond and Albemarle County.
Albemarle county can be ridiculously expensive too. Big city cost of living without the big city job opportunities. Only ones truly welcomed are friends of UVA and old white people benefitting from old money. Still, you can do much, much worse in VA.
It really depends on what you are looking for. Some of those smaller towns are actually perfect for people who want some land and plan on homeschooling or sending to private. Not everyone wants the expense , small land and crowded suburbs of bigger cities. I've been in VA for 15 years now, I've lived from west to east. Small towns get a bad rap, but it's not always the case
I ❤️ my small town. Wouldn't trade it for the biggest house in the nicest neighborhood!
Sounds really nice to me. :)
@@E.C.Animation it is. You should try it. Even though there's not always a lot happening, you can still find fun ways to pass the time.
@@Random_ness Thanks for the encouragement, I really need it today. I am seriously considering it. I am moving from a much further Northern state in a city with a population of just over 2,000 and I don't want any neighbors I can see. I always find things to do if nature is surrounding me. :)
@@E.C.Animation no problem! That's what we usually do...go on hikes, picnics, campgrounds and things like that. I'm sure you'd love it!
I've lived in many places in VA. From the Shenandoah to NOVA, VA Beach and Richmond. I even lived in Petersburg for a couple of years. While I never had a problem, I sure missed Alexandria back then. I was just bored mostly. I love VA. I like being able to go from mountain to beach in no time. From busy city to quiet woods. Each area has its own unique flavor. Walking along the Potomac is incredibly different than walking along the James. They're both rivers, but the culture around them change the experience entirely.
Been a river guide on both rivers and I like the James and Appomattox more than the Potomac. We live near the anacostia and the trail system is stellar. They are all great rivers to recreate on though.
I love the Alexandria area, they have great public schools, and it’s just really fun in my opinion.
Virginia is an awesome state! There is so much diversity here. Being able to reach the beach from the mountains in a few hours is one of the best things.
👋🏼 I live in Richmond, VA currently and ready to move further down south. It’s great here for employment and finding great education with much culture. However if your looking into investing into an estate this would be the worse place to do it. It’s pretty expensive.
Utilities inside the City of Richmond are also a nightmare. Richmond Public Works is the reason I moved out of the city and will never go back.
👀👀👀
I LIVE THERE LOL
Yeah Richmond is expensive
I grew up in Newport News and couldn’t wait to get out. Nowadays I try to find ways to move back.
Bro that's me And Richmond , I couldn't wait to leave , I stay In Florida now but everyday almost think about Richmond and how much I miss it. Home will always be home no matter where you move I guess .
@@Kimberly....... I stayed in VA beach every summer just about . I miss it up there
@@Kimberly....... same here all my family relocated etc. I moved to central Florida been here for about 8 years now .
I do miss home :/ Newport News, back when the red barn was red not white.
You must be in Chicago or something lol
As a former resident of Portsmouth, I can absolutely confirm this side of Hampton Roads is awful. Traffic sucks, neighborhoods mostly suck, and crime is pretty bad.
I almost had to shoot a guy when I was 19 when he tried to force his way into our home. He jumped a neighbor’s fence in front of God, the police (who had been manhunting him all morning for several robberies) and my family, who were just getting home from Taco Bell. If it hadn’t been for the police catching up with him and chasing him off at the last second, he would’ve gotten a face full of buckshot.
The only good place in Portsmouth really is the Nautical museum, the USS Wisconsin, and a local custard shop that uses Cheesecake Factory cheesecake in their treats. Aside from that, to hell with this city.
those places are in norfolk, not p town
@@SparkyMD59 My bad yeah. Museum’s in Norfolk. Custard shop’s in P-Town
“In front of God, police, and my family”😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
the Nauticus is in Norfolk... there is a children's museum and a sports museum in portsmouth- oh and the red tugboat one. you're thinking of downtown Norfolk 😊
Now we are on the subject of NASCAR, just as Elliott and Hermie Sadler are from Emporia, the Burton brothers Ward and Jeff originally came from South Boston.
I live in Emporia unfortunately. Am not from Emporia thank God!!!
Yep, and none won a championship. Dale Jr. didn’t either but he’s from Carolina.
I told my wife we weren't allowed to buy a house in Virginia. She asked why. I replied, "Virginia is for lovers."
We wound up buying a house in Virginia.
😂
ha! do you still like it there?
@@Lululila67 We are loners, really doesn't matter where we are but yes. I am in a nice rural area on six acres in the mountains close to three small cities so, all is good.
@@j.dragon651 thats pretty kool! my husband and I are loners too.
Lived in VA my whole life. Knew the top 3 before ya said em lol. I was surprised you didn't mention richmond itself though
Same thing i said when it was the murder capital of the nation before
I ALWAYS try to avoid portsmouth. I remember growing up hearing so many bad stories about it. Ended up dating a girl there in my early twenties. I pulled up to her house and it was under investigation for a murder. Haven't been back since.
Damn
Lol
Lol 😭😭😭
Yes, I'm sure it has some OK areas but for the most part avoid it like the plague
WOW!
Notice in these ''poor'' places there is no litter ,or homeless tents ,If there were any I am sure Nick would have included them
As a transport to VA from CA I gotta say I don't think I've seen any tent cities in any part of Virginia. I haven't spent a significant chunk of the southwest portion of the state but I've crossed 58 a few times and driven back roads east of 81.
@@amandasexton5729 Is that really your name , let me guess you write pottery as a hobby
@@amandasexton5729 That’s because you don’t know where they are lol. Go to prince William count in the city of Dale City getting off the exit you will see a lot of homeless ppl there camping in the woods. Richmond has the second highest eviction rate in America.
The homeless sleeps on sidewalks actually and it's still a problem take a ride at night time they are lined up
@@JabrenHarris98 oh, NOVA. I'm honestly surprised anyone can survive outthere during the winter but I know they do it in D.C. too.. and honestly despite Richmond being as bad as it is with evictions, I haven't noticed any tent cities there either, I've noticed small crevices and alley ways with bed sure but nothing like CA.
I think Virginia has a lot of good places to live. I’m a Realtor in Northern Virginia and I would say that it is pretty expensive, but I see places like Haymarket and Aldie going from rural to a lot new construction. The Warrenton to Culpeper area is where I sell a lot of homes because it’s cheaper and a 45-55 minute commute to Nova, with much cheaper homes. If you are looking for a home from Madison to DC I would be happy to help you.
I've lived in Warrenton for 34 years. I love it here. Raised all over NoVA. I can't stand setting foot in NoVA now. The commuters that moved out to Warrenton have completely changed the pace. Most drive like bats out of hell. The traffic scene is scary. I often have to wait 5 to 10 minutes to get out of my driveway on 29. The speed limit is 55 not 80!
I was born in Richmond VA. Churchill area. Spent the summers in North side at my grandparents home. And I now reside in Eastern Henrico County.
So it's safe to say that I am very familiar with these areas.
First of all I feel like some of the people commenting have not visited these areas recently. Let me say that the homes in Churchill, and North Side have both been mostly renovated. I most say they are beautiful.
As for Henrico Co. I can't keep up with the amount of new construction. I might add that Henrico is extremely generous with their Tax relief for seniors.
I wouldn't be going all the at down to Madison. Before I would get that far I be heading to Winchester . That area
Galax crime has went way down in the past few years with a better mayor and a better sheriff as well. And actually we have many things like smoke on the mt fairs and such
The worst places to move in Virginia are anywhere that takes Northam seriously.
Too true!!!!
Amen
Amen!!
having moved to Roanoke from Philadelphia I can tell you it's a WONDERFUL place to live. Yes there are economic issues but it is a town on the rise for sure.
bruh anything is fucking ranbows and sunshine coming from philly 🤣🤣👍
You're right. I see the potential . Just moved here from Tampa to Cave Spring area.
Born and lived 50 years now in Roanoke and haven’t seen anything rise except prices and concern for safety. However, coming from Philly I guess perspective is everything.
I loved roanoke and wish I was still there
@@pleb9619 haha straight up
Newport News resident here. I've lived here for most of the 23 years I've lived in Virginia and I certainly wouldn't call it the worst place to live in the state. Sure, there's not a whole lot to do in Newport News itself outside of shopping, getting drunk, or buying cars, but there's some decent parts of the city. Lee Hall wasn't too bad and the neighborhood I currently live in (not mentioning it for reasons) is about 50/50. The border between high and low crime areas in my neighborhood is literally in my backyard (not even joking there). As for roads, I'll agree on that. Road maintenance isn't much of a thing unless it's Jefferson Avenue, but only a certain part of Jefferson, from around City Center to Denbigh.
I'm not sure how recent this is or how much research you've done, but Danville is in an amazing growth spurt. Crime is way down, new businesses are moving in (even during COVID) and the downtown area is way cool.
We now have lots of shops downtown. The revitalization is amazing. Crime is so low that the police chief in Roanoke is asking our police chief for help!!!
Depends on the area south main and north main are a nightmare
Back in the 90s when I was in the Navy, stationed in Norfolk, I avoided Portsmouth except for the occasional visit to the naval hospital there. Car break-Ins occurred frequently there. OTOH, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake were very nice places to live in Hampton Roads.
I live in Roanoke and had to go to Portsmouth for an old job a couple of times, it's a nasty place. I love the ocean, but it's obvious how bad the crime is there. Pretty sure they just had a double homicide there not too long ago as well
I have lived in Petersburg for a year now. Moved here from Boston MA. I love it. Every minds their business. I haven't had a single issue with anyone or anything. I just wished the public transit system was a bit better.
For about 15 years I worked for the Virginia DOC. It seemed to me that most of the inmate came from the Hampton Roads area, Petersburg and in or near Richmond, VA.
Lol, any other similarities you'd like to share with us that you noticed about these individuals?
@@bc2578 The best prison movie in my opinion is Shawshank Redemption.
@@historybuff5739 It's your opinion, you are welcome to it.
Nova isn't considered Va to those who are from VA
I was born and raised in Newport News along with my husband and we raised our kids in the uptown part of the city! I feel like he only asked people in downtown about our city and that is not a fair representation of the city as a whole. If you are going to make a video about the worst places maybe you should explore the entire city and not just the worst part.
Perhaps
Newport News is not a bad city! At least you can find employment! Canon, Fort Eustis, Pepsi, Dan Daniel's, News Shipbuilding! Lot of military bases in area! This report is incorrect! Newport News is not anymore murders than anywhere else!
Apparently this person is not living in Newport News now or they would have get out especially after the kid who shot his teacher.
Newport News has problems like any city, but it's also a beautiful city, my city. But if you haven't experienced the highs and lows of the full spectrum, you wouldn't know. This video is deceptive.
@@cynthiathomas6690 first of all I’m 41 years old and I was raised in Newport News Virginia and we all know that there are certain places you do not go downtown Newport News you don’t go and there are good places in Newport news and education is not as bad as they put it up there and every city has a good part in a bad part so let me ask you where you live do you live in a good part of the bad part of the city that you stay in?
Somehow, he didn't list Richmond as the #1 worst place to live.
Stunning...
Everyone in Virginia knows that the state capitol is a REAL sh*thole... and I live in Newport News.
Video is fake news. It only focuses on minor property crime in low population areas and ignores gang crime and major violent crime in places like Richmond and Virginia beach. Plus the guys speech problems make the audio hard to listen to.
Richmond the city in Virginia that was the murder capital of the country
from a Pennsylvanian that just moved to NN, would it be fair to say that Richmond is as bad as Harrisburg? That city is so BAD.
The distinction needs to be made between Roanoke County and liberal ran roanoke city. Huge difference.
Lived on Hampton Avenue in downtown Newport News a couple years ago, on my 18th birthday I walked outside and saw a man layin on the sidewalk with a gunshot in his temple. Shits crazy
One of the most underrated cities in central VA is Lynchburg! I've lived here for two years and now is the best time to jump in to a revitalising community. The downtown is being transformed into a small business hub with resturaunts, shops, boutiques, and offices. Plenty of old buildings are just crying out to have a tenant move in and give them new life! And the housing is great, too. If you want to buy an old house on the cheap, flip it, and sell it for a huge profit, Lynchburg is the city to do it in. You can easily find a foreclosed house for under $50,000, put another $40,000 into it, and sell it for over $150,000. Or if you want a newer construction, there are tons of developments in the suburbs of Boonsboro, Forest, Madison Heights, and Timberlake. Engineers, nurses, and professors are always welcome here. And don't worry about being bored in a sleepy old town. We have tons of activities, both outdoor and indoor, to keep your weekends fun! Of course, with any city, there are some bad areas suffering from crime and blight, but I personally haven't experienced any crime and I live in a blighted neighbourhood. If you want to have the creature comforts of a city but the atmosphere of a small town, Lynchburg is a happy medium!
I love Lynchburg I live in Fairfax county
Agree.
james river park is great.......people are very nice and respectful
I agree, but maybe we shouldn’t promote it too heavily!
I grew up in Fairfax, and living in Northern Neck and Colonial Beach I recently moved to Lynchburg and bought one of those 150, k homes that had been flipped . Lynchburg has everything
No different than any other of the many places in this country. There's places you don't want to be when its dark and those that are safe anytime. Lot's of early history and Virginia pride abound. Give two Virginians five minutes together and they'll figure out how there are folks in their families that are kin.
I agree, nobody wants to be in the cities that are .... dark lllooooolllll
I just moved to Hampton area about 10mos ago. And I came from body more better known as Baltimore Maryland so the gun shots here in the murders found nothing to put it to me I came from the norm unfortunately! 😑
@@thecandyman9308 You know what the folks on the high mountains say: " Closer to God, further from the law"
Howdy from Hopewell VA! Video NAILED it. STILL betting that Petersburg shapes up. Really could be great.
Roanoke's not that bad. I'd rather live there than Richmond
Roanoke has got bad
Replace Roanoke with Charlottesville and this list is pretty accurate. C-Ville is a toxic DISASTER. Snobby bitter people everywhere in my experience sadly. Virtually all nice folks there were from other areas.
@@thunderbird1921 here in mecklenburg county we have some problems every once in a blue moon
We have crazy drivers we had people lost their lives
@Doctor Mudd I'm from Hollins😎
I live in Portsmouth and I adore it ♥️ it’s about as dangerous as Virginia Beach nowadays. It’s actually a really quiet and BEAUTIFUL place to live. The city just needs to learn how to fund things appropriately.
Ptown city park is pretty nice for portsmouth
@@filipinofantasy yeah they’ve been doing some awesome changes to city park! 😊 If the city could just figure out how to appropriately distribute funds to certain areas, things COULD turn around a lot faster for our city. But funds don’t seem to be making it to the places they’re really needed.
@Blac Nerd the longer I live here, the more apparent that becomes.. :( I still love this city though, it has so much potential
I love the way u proud of ur city ❤ 👍
Is VA Beach dangerous? My sister lived there for 20 years. I would visit often but mostly just stayed at the house and for weekends so I don't know the area well.
I live in Marion ...
Why don't you do a video such as
"5 good things about each of the 10 worst places in Virginia" and maybe help cast these locations in a more positive public light? Videos like this one directly contribute to the decline of these places, especially the smaller ones. It makes Marion sound like inner city Saint Louis- a completely ludicrous comparison- to certain potential tourists. It would be so beneficial and very much appreciated if you would use your influence and reach to help build us up instead of simply directly contributing to our decline in each of your productions.
Pretty please, and many thanks.
Amen, I live 20 minutes away. On second thought though... Enough people are flocking here already, I'd kinda like that to slow down so we can keep our quiet slice of paradise in the most gorgeous mountains and valleys on earth to ourselves. Economy is good, but please don't overpopulate my mountains 🥺. And for damπ sure don't bring your city problems and corrupt policies here with you people!
@@austinpatrick2682 yes sir !
Nah, Rural Country Life Is Dangerous. These Small Towns Are For Losers. Please Stay In Your Big City.
No we don't need building up, these ole hills don't like strangers
OMG, I'm laughing so hard at that priceless song!! I'm going to record it, then add a Jaw's Harp (that doing doing sounding instrument) and some pedal steel country sounds into the background!
If you do please email me I'd love to hear it!! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail ❤️❤️
I live in Newport News yes crime is high its also on a decline due to our new police chief who is doing a damn good job with crime rates
No I think it's the gentrification more than anything else
I said to myself I would rather walk the streets and be homeless then to move to Newport News Im never move your back there it's too demonic downtown them people need help Mentally!
Glad you said that.... NN is associated with Michael Vick for most folks and that's about all. That is a mistake.
Damn 🤦🏾♀️
They just switched cities....lol...now Hampton has a murder or two every week it seems
Only lived in VA for two years. Moved to Williamsburg for school. Now I have to move out of the area over rising rent (it's up about 400 dollars in the last 2 years) and housing shortage (everyone seems to need a place, and there aren't enough within a reasonable price range). We have to stay close to my wife's job here in Williamsburg, but we have had to look progressively farther out, Newport News, then Hampton, now Richmond and Norfolk. And the crimes rates are something to turn a person off, but they also dont really reflect reality.
You look at a crime map, and Williamsburg is all red and yellow. Low population means a small amount of crime overwhelms the statistics. When the basis is 1 crime per 100k population, a town like Williamsburg turns bright red after one crime. For the most part, crime stats mirror population density. The neighborhoods with higher crime have apartments instead of single family homes. But small towns are over-represented by crime stats, as they are separated by political boundaries rather than populations. This makes those stats and websites almost useless.
Still, it'd be nice if we could find a place closer to the area we are used to living in. It's a bit scary that we might have to move an hour or more away just to find somewhere, anywhere, to live.
PS the actual Virginians I've met usually agree that the biggest problem with Virginia is NOVA. Its income levels throw off the average for the State, and its population is, according to the people I meet, made up of Non-Virginians.
New Kent/Toano are the best options that are near Williamsburg.
@@davis8362 That's actually where I would like to move. But there is nothing for rent at all, and we aren't ready to buy.
Where is the lie? And youre correct, the living rates have skyrocketed. The average rent for a 2 bedroom condo or apartment is nearly $2000
Honestly most parts of Newport News are a pretty darn good place to live. Been living here for about 15 years with a few years back and forth to Richmond area. The problem is that downtown (a fairly small corner of the city) is bad enough to bring the whooole city down lol. Parts of Denbigh aren’t the best, but the rest is pretty good.
There’s a pretty good amount of middle class employment opportunity here thanks to the shipyards. A lot of military here too.
You got it wrong, Newport News is the worst
His choice of Newport News is confusing. Most of the entries on this list make sense (aside from Roanoke) but the Newport News edition is bizarre. As you said, most of the crime happens in a single portion of NN, and neighboring Hampton has a lot more poverty and gang activity. Uptown Newport News is like a completely different city than that one corner. There's also plenty of stuff to do (VA Living Museum, Mariner's Museum / Monitor Center, etc.), and he neglects the fact that a lot of the cool things in the other 757 cities are less than 30 minutes away. Anyone who lives in Hampton Roads in general knows where not to go, and thus they don't run into any of the criminal activity.
Also, including Roanoke but excluding Martinsville and Buchanan is bizarre as well.
Source: Born in Newport News and have lived in four of the seven 757 cities. Lived there for 19 years total before moving to Montgomery County.
@@EthanGuynn agree totally. Seems like he just looked at statistics and didn’t get more detailed/nuanced information that would have told him some of what you just expressed
I've grew up in these mountains my whole life, if you can't find something to do, you don't belong here.
I live in Roanoke and I have been a victim of crime, we have so many drug addicts and the amount of the homeless is a very large amount not to mention the death rates on a daily basis, it's sad to see how much things and people have changed
Roanoke does indeed suck. I wonder who hasn't been shot in Roanoke.
I've gotten a speeding ticket going through Emporia... :-(
Who didn't
Who hasn’t
That Hall of Fame ticket wall is pretty filled up 😂
@@donovanharris557 🤣🤣🤣
@@0ff-Broadway369 😂
You know as a person who’s lived in Virginia most of my life and who lives in one of the poorest towns, usually people who do lists like these get so much wrong. However this is the first time someone has done this that I’ve seen where they are spot on about the problems. It’s absolutely beautiful out here but the poverty, crime, and straight up boredom from nothing being around is terrible. It’s why I have such a love/hate relationship with my home.
You people need to learn to make stuff to do. Form groups and make activities. I know what you mean but not everywhere can be Disneyland