Hey Nick I drove all over that area. super nice people Had to work there. Nobody could do my job up there. Everyone was nice, very little crime. Even in Sioux city where I stayed at the comfort inn. The people even in the big city were nice...But there was crime and homeless, and gangs in Sioux City. Some areas were pretty rough and others were Super super nice and super super safe.
It's been nearly two years now since I moved from my hometown of Seattle, Washington to a small town in central Kentucky. Absolutely the best decision I've ever made. Safe, friendly, affordable and clean. No more traffic, homeless encampments everywhere with violence and drugs, and constant drama. Life is wonderful in small town America!
People are beginning to flee cities, small towns and rural life is the future cities are going to be a shadow of what they are, if they even are around.
I’m a flight attendant of 33 years, and I’ve been all over the world, so I know my passengers and I’ve come to the conclusion that my favorite passengers are those from middle America. They are simple, conscientious, sensible and just down right nice.
It's fake. I've been in Iowa my whole life and live in small town Illinois now. They're fake and all of em talk behind everyone's backs. As long as you are exactly like them they'll be your best friend, otherwise they're only being polite to your face.
I'm from the UK and was lucky enough to spend a few months exploring the US some years ago. I would move to small town mid-west America in a heartbeat. Red Oak looks like a really nice, peaceful small town. I bet there are some lovely people there.
It makes me glad that places like this still exist in this country. We often focus on the negative instead of the positives. I'd like to move to a place like this someday.
Look at the architecture. Town looks virtually untouched since the 1940s/1950s. And the fact that the residents have been there for their entire life just adds to the community feel.
I grew up in Florida and spent my teaching career in So. Cal. Moved to Iowa to escape Kali last July. So far I'm diggin' it! Even faired okay for the winter. An avid motorcyclist I look forward to exploring small-town Iowa this spring.
I moved to San Diego from a small town in west Tennessee that is just like this place. It's one of the worst decisions I made in my life. Over Half of all my income goes towards just existing. Making friends has been impossible. People are really cold and distant by comparison. And forget about dating. The big cities just don't have good people. I've literally sat on the sidewalk in tears while people walked by like I didn't exist. Do you wanna be bored or do you want literally EVERYTHING to be more difficult and inconvenient? I'd rather be bored than have to drive around for 20 minutes to find a parking spot! Don't take small towns like this for granted, people
You are too soft for cities. EVERYTHING is so convenient in a city. I cannot stand living somewhere you need to drive to get anything done Culture? Forget it out in the sticks.
you should return to Tennessee. i left Oceanside ca. i was far from anything worth calling home. Too sunny and deserty there it felt like except they planted a lot but still not home there.
My dad was born in Charter Oak, Iowa. I have fond memories of visiting my grandparents for a summer there. We were never bored. Now I'm thinking I may retire there and let the grandkids I have in So Cal come visit me for the summer.
This was important video. Made me want to find the balance of a small town with close by job markets. I'm tried of living in Boston with the hellscape of big cities. Been feeling this way for years. Get away from the cities and live in a small town. But my income stays the same.
@@NickJohnson Hi Nick, you had me in your "Unboxing Iowa" video for quite a while. My grocery store in Malvern, IA burned down 16 months ago,but the rebuild will be coming soon. Search RUclips for "They Came From All Over", a documentary coming out soon about my efforts! I would love to hear from you!
I got stuck behind a tractor yesterday in rural NC. I enjoyed it. My doggie was enjoying the view and the weather. Most rural towns look the same. Our town doesn’t have much going on at all.
This is fascinating. A face of America you don't really get to see. Not exactly a "tourist destination" but exactly the kind of towns I am curious about! Excellent video and commentary. Watching from Switzerland😊
@@annmariemarin5513 This isn't real America. This is just a bunch of old, fat white people who are all retired and have no reason to leave now that they no longer need a job. There are no jobs in places like this, which is why anyone under the age of 65 doesn't live there. This is why all you see are old retired folks, and none of them have darker skin color than bright pink.
@@annmariemarin5513 not the "real America" the "old America." This America used to be the norm and its dying. It's very sad but these small independent towns and the people who live in them are the bane of Washington's existence and purpose. They want these towns and the people who live in them to all die, that is not an exaggeration.
Watching out of pure curiosity and this does have its charme, doesn't it? Reminds me of movies like the Goonies and ET. Its a shame most of threse places are so backwards politically.
Iowa is a rational-thinking state rooted in Lutheran and Scandinavian traditions that highly values education. It shows. I grew up in Prairie Du Chien across the river. Very good memories.
I raised my kids in Davenport Iowa. As soon as the kids got out on their own, I couldn’t wait to leave. Now after living in Mesa AZ for 37 years, I can’t wait to get outa here! Homelessness and fentanyl are everywhere! If it wasn’t for the snow, I’d move back in a heartbeat!
37 years ago Mesa/Gilbert was small compared to today. Mesa 150k population 1980's. It was nice to be able to go dove hunting pretty much everywhere. I was raised there. It had a small town feeling to it back then. Like Gilbert did. As soon as the orange groves and corn fields got demolished it was a free for all with the building. I can see why you chose Mesa back then. We lived down the street from the Iowa Cafe and went all the time.
Becky you can most certainly move back now since Iowa eliminated taxes on retirement income. While they won’t touch your pension, 401k or SSI, Iowa will still want a piece of the interest on your savings and or brokerage accounts and other stuff too.
I remember Mesa back in the mid eighties. It was the go-to place and rapidly growing. But almost rural. Gilbert too. Now the whole place is exactly as you said. A hot mess!!!
White, 35yo male from Johannesburg, South Africa. This vid of Iowa filled me with great envy. I would love to live in small town communities in America where everyone is on the same page, working together to keep society grounded and safe. You guys are blessed, don’t take for granted. Always impressed by traditional American work ethic and family values. Godspeed
I'm from North Iowa and we often have White South African Farm Labourers come over and work for the summer and harvest. They make pretty good money. Look into a program like that and you can come and visit for yourself and make good money while doing it. People will enjoy having you around greatly! Yahn and Gert (two south Africans who work here) are local legends!
I lived in Iowa City for almost 2 years in early 1990s and absolutely loved that time of my life. I lived in a quiet suburb in a big barn furnished comfortably for living and was able to make valuable friendships that continue to this day. The good university and comfortable campus, many well-known academics contracted there, and the friendly not cocky atmosphere. Sometimes even now I make virtual trips back to my good old Iowa City to walk the streets there again.
I will say, we have a joke around here that Iowa City is one of the least Iowa parts of Iowa. 😂 over half of the people there are even from the Chicago suburbs. But it is a lovely place.
What Iowa City did you live in?! I lived there through the 90s as a kid and it was awful. It was expensive, people were assholes, police were assholes (I even knew this as a kid) and it was too busy even then because of the University.
Being from Omaha, I can completely understand the appeal for small-town living. I’ve visited dozens of them over the decades and I’ve always teased my wife by saying, “I’m going to move here one day” for every town I’ve passed through or visited. I’m starting to become more serious about “one day” now, especially after watching this.
I’m from da O to but I don’t like the idea of people all of a sudden moving in lmao dis last 3 years to much goin on thanks to those comin in from da outside but still relaxed good opportunities and Iowa, over here in Omaha is known for the home of da crackheads but pretty chill lots of trailer homes but yea Omaha is good compare to any place I been honestly lol
Another great video and a great location. Small town Midwest has many hidden gems. Pride in community and keeping it tight knit is the formula, along with good local jobs. Take care!
I love this video! I think I would happily live in a town like this in the USA. I’m from a small town like this in Brazil. When I was younger, I didn’t like living in a small town so I moved to a bigger one. After the pand3mic I came back to my hometown to be with my parents and now I love it here! Love the calmness, the safety and slow living.
I really liked this town. Lots of trees, everything is neat and clean. But what surprises me is that I don't see people on the street. Watching from Russia, Novosibirsk (Siberia).
Hello, From South East Asia perception I Do Not see Diversity. I also live in a small town East of San Francico Bay and 18% of populations are Bilingual. I like it here. It's a peaceful town.🤫
I have the same,, with a girlfriend from USA,,,,,visa problems for both of us,,, I live in Europe where nobody locks their doors when we go out,,,, we can only be together three months in each others countries in any one year,,,,, but we walk the towns and mingle,,,, was a shock for me when I realized nobody walks in America
I fell in love with Bluffton Ohio, which is a small village in northwest Ohio in Allen county because it’s still got a thriving main street with beautiful buildings and the houses are in good shape and have different areas and styles including multiple Victorian houses and I can tell that the community has taken Pride and great effort to keep the village looking like it’s thriving. I am attracted by the same qualities in red Bluff Iowa because you can tell that it’s not dying and that it is keeping itself revitalized without having to change into some kind of modern version of its former self. I think that’s what makes these small villages and towns and cities so attractive… When they invest time and money into keeping up, what was built before the 1950s
Nice double line pass, dude. Been and lived in major cities all over the place in America and elsewhere, middle of nowhere, Iowa, are my favorite types of places to be.
My grandparents lived just north of Red Oak in another small town, Atlantic. Not much to do in the way of shopping & dining but more outdoor things such as fishing, camping, swimming. etc... I would visit in the summers. A lot of bbq. Small town livin' is not bad at all.
Elaine sure was a great representative for her town. It looks wonderful there. 1 hour to Omaha and 2 hours to Des Moines. I appreciate this look into rural Iowa life
Irish viewer here. Red Oak is a lovely town especially compared to most others on your channel. Let's hope all those big city folk don't try to change the conservative nature of these small towns.
I liked seeing this town and it has some "salt of the earth" type people. This lady is a great ambassador for Red Oak. Every town needs someone like her.
I am glad there is a place in US that is not ridden with homeless people and is pleasant to live in because people support each other. That is how the whole World should be ❤
Viewer from Sweden here🇸🇪 Red Oak seems like the perfect ''Hallmark christmas movie'' type of town, which I adore and is also the reason why I love small town America! Visiting a small town like Red Oak is something that now aleays has been on my bucket list and I really hope I'll get the chance to visit the town in the near future before larger establishments/businesses move there that would ruin the small town feeling (with mom & pop restaurants, small hatdware stores, small businesses, cheap housing, etc, etc)
You’re probably not the only one, but the only one that I really pay attention to. Your cliff note dissection of America is very interesting. Upon the realization that a positive video is very rare. I actually shared this one a few times. Just realized that I have many friends that, need to see these. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
What a lovely little town! I just got back from a road trip and passed through many small towns. It's really tempting to take a serious look at relocating to a place like this. Elaine was super nice and informative!
I’m from and love small-town Iowa but have lived on the west coast for 93% of my life. I just bought a house there and I’m so excited! Love these videos!
My mom grew in a small town in NE Iowa. I grew up outside of Chicago, but I feel as though a large part of my values and who I am come from my parents and my Grandma Williams and Iowa. The beauty of NE Iowa is amazing. We lost my grandma in 2008 and I miss her so much. What I also miss about Iowa is the complete genuineness of the people. When you have a conversation people are listening and it's meaningful. People are interested in you, whether you like it or not, I like it. I'm from the midwest and Iowa is the only place where on countless occasions you hear of people helping others out not to get anything but just because they can help. I haven't been back to my mom's hometown but am hoping to go back one last time to relive some memories and to say goodbye.
@@movieswithmatticus5469 I live in Marshalltown IA and we have a very ethnically diverse community including "black people". There is a deep rooted community feeling to this place. Your comment is ill-spoken and uninformed. Personally, I find your comment very offensive. You should not make sweeping statements about things you know nothing about.
@@movieswithmatticus5469 I am also from a small town in NE Iowa. We don't have black, brown, white, green, purple or whatever other color neighbors, we have a COMMUNITY where everyone are neighbors and are always willing to help out each other. Skin color doesn't mean a thing around these neck of the woods, its all about being a good person. We all work side by side and wave hi to each other when passing by, we have gatherings where we invite all of our neighbors. You will find us Iowan's in every position of society from the nice cleaning person to the mayor to the local doctor/dentist/nurse, regardless of race, color, creed or gender, we are all inclusive. “Iowa is God's country”
Downtown Red Bluff is straight out of a movie set. What a beautiful little town that seems ideal for raising a family. There are not many places left where blue collar workers can raise a family and afford a good standard of living. I hope their town continues to flourish.
Where are these blue collar workers going to work? Most of these folks sold out for equity and paid cash to retire. It would be a 1950s dream come true to move into small town USA but there isn't opportunity to get a head. And young people don't want to live in a washed community.
My wife and I moved to Iowa last year from Nevada. Not to a small town though. We're 5 miles outside a VERY small town. Our nearest neighbor is a mile down the gravel road. We LOVE it. Surrounded by miles of corn fields. Its peaceful, the people are friendly, I just can't imagine living any other life. And yes, Iowa nice really is a thing.
You have described my grand parents farm outside of Union, IA, At night, the moonlit view from the front porch across the corn fields was like looking out across water. The gently rolling landscape mimicked the rising and falling swells of a calm sea. In the distance, atop the next rise of the land, the lights from the neighboring farm appear to be a ship at sea. This impression is reinforced by the sound the wind makes rustling the corn fields. During the day the 100 year old elm trees (how they survived I'll never know) kept the house shaded. The sound of wind rustled corn fields was replaced by the squeaky metal propeller of the water pump atop it's tower. But it was the cloud of dust in the distance that herald the arrival of a visitor. The dust cloud gets larger as the stil unseen auto approaches. The house was Gothic Revival in style with pointed arched windows! Unbelievably it was painted a dark shade of eggplant with trim painted a pale yellow. My grandparents did not farm, my great grand parents did and this was their farm. Somewhere in the 1950's, since no family was interested in actually farming my grand father sold the whole thing - house, outbuildings, the land, the whole works to a commercial agricultural company with the agreement that the farmhouse would be leased back to them until they both were dead. In 1996 my grandmother died 4 months after my grandfather did. And when that happened, the house reverted back to the commercial agricultural company. They proceeded to burn the house and all the out buildings to the ground and plowed the ashes into the soil. The only thing left to indicate there was a farm is the windrow. Yes, the elms were felled, too. I have vivid memories and PHOTOS of the farm house; I last visited it in 1990, in my early thirties, when I brought my Swiss boyfriend to show him a different America.
@@johngalt2506 As a child, living in Mason City I remember the thunder would shake the house. And how, in mere moments, a clear sky could darken as the storm front moved through. At times the clouds turning an ominous dark, olive green color. We'd pray it ws not a harbinger of something worse.
Just looking at that thumbnail brought back my feeling of depression, lol. I grew up in Minnesota and spent more time in those places than I cared to. Good people, hard-working, but there was always the overwhelming energies of having settled, stuck in a routine, being complacent. I thank them all for creating a strong desire in me to not let that be my fate; I moved away as soon as I could!
As someone who lives in a rural Iowa town of 128, We love it here, sure its a half hour drive to the nearest big city, but its something we are used to, same with going to work, the trade off of living rural to big city is worth it, less crime, lower housing costs, its quiet well kept and nice Come visit Clearlake and mason city iowa
My brother is a 18 wheel driver who has to go through big cities all the time and he loves coming home to his small town. He says it’s like coming home to peace of mind and safety ❤️❤️❤️
I grew up on the other side of the state in southeast Iowa. While my hometown is twice the size of Red Oak, it was pretty much that way when I was growing up. Big, old homes, most well maintained, you knew everybody, kids rode their bikes everywhere, and you could walk around any time of the day or night, and no one would bother you.
I've been watching the housing market in a little town in Northern Michigan for the past eight or so months and in that time period the housing market went from 60+ listings, to 50 listings to now where it's down to less than 30 listings. I'm pretty sure small town life has really caught on here in Michigan and I get why
Work from home people realized they can actually live in small town America. As large Cities deteriorate I can see a population transfer coming in the long term.
@@jeffrobodine8579 Small towns and small cities across the country will continue to die as young people flee. Especially with the fascism that conservatives are now wielding. Home prices in large cities continue to climb. There's a reason for that.
I grew up in the mid-west and its the best place to live in this country. I've lived all over this country, NE, Mid Atlantic, West Coast. I would go back to the rural mid- west in a nano second. The people are great, the communities are safe and life is still simple. God Bless the mid-west.
Small towns in the US are living in ways I think everyone should live. They are safer alternatives. More boring.. MAYBE.. but that's in the eyes of the beholder. I find quiet, calm and serene to bring in excitement in its own ways. As in.. none whatsoever. Just safe and beautiful, with chances to build nostalgic memories that bind you to that place even more. I live in a small town in Norway (35,000 in the town, with a total of 100,000 surrounding the whole area of around 1402 square kilometers, or roughly 400 square miles) and this is large enough space to not keep us bumping into one another and most suburban areas have lone standing houses with some apartments scattered about. From the suburban areas you have multiple hubs for shopping, multiple smaller towns (like 5,000-10,000 people) all within 15-20 minutes drive from one another. The furthest being one hour away. This is how I think everyone should live. It's fresh, it's clean.. similar, yet still can provide a different growing up experience for many that leads to them being more connected to one town than another. Yet.. none of these have the same sort of charm as US small towns. It's difficult to put my finger on. Might be the lack of familiarity and a sort of nostalgic vibe that I have gotten growing up and watching movies. Nostalgia for a sort of place I have never been in.
I was born and raised in the Midwest and I wouldn't live anywhere else, briefly lived in California and couldn't wait to get out of there! The city I'm in now is around 90,000 and it's just perfect. Nothing better than feeling safe!! 💋
I can only dream about this. I'm in my 60s. Lived in SF for 30 years. I'm ready to chill in a small town such as this. Imagine that no noise, fresh air and hopefully open minded folks.
@okbutwhy3803 Why would you want to live around people who aren't in the same mindset that you yourself are? Difference in opinions are some of the biggest socialite obstacles.
I am from Hong Kong and currently living in the North Western part of Tokyo, my whole life has been living in two of the largest urban area on earth by different metrics, and I honestly would not mind to have a quiet living in this Iowa town. Yes, pace is arguably slower (that part is subjective as well, you haven't seen old Asian man and woman on the subway escalator during rush hour) From the video I genuinely envy that part you can actually have a moment to experience living, having a pancake in local establishment, knowing the shopkeeper in aisle in local shops on a Thursday afternoon, this is exactly the picture I have for a television suburbia in 90s when I played Sims. It is fulfilling, you feel completed when you go to bed wanting to start another morning.
@@jamesrecknor6752We don't want that encroachment. It changes the character of the place because they also bring their culture and way of thinking, which is not the same as the people and culture of those who created the town.
@@ghostlyimageoffear6210 So you would go to their faces and tell them to go back to where they came from? Maybe those people can settle in, contribute and be good citizens without "changing the character" of the place? They are less harmful than your ancestors who "encroached" and wiped out Native Americans. And then proceeded to "encroach" upon, say, the Philippines and Nicaragua with Manifest Destiny and later Vietnam with all sorts of things like /\gent 0range and "free f!re z0nes. Think about the historical big picture sometime, you bigots.
I’d move there in a heartbeat,I’m in the uk and I’ve been drawn to a small town in the USA since I was a child,coming out soon to visit and hopefully get an Old Ford crown Vic or Chevy caprice I’m not fussy just want a v8 to bring back home
Nicest people are in Iowa. I'm going back to the Midwest for my retirement. Sweet corn and BBQ ribs. Backyard tomatoes and cucumbers. State and county fairs. Crazy summer thunderstorms lighting up the night sky. Fourth of July parades. Lightning bugs. Friday night demolition derby. Good living. Green, green grass of home. You put up with winter snow storms but you live in a post card of the seasons and everyone shares the experience.
I'm glad places like this still exist. I still live in small town California and I want to return to Louisiana. Thanks for letting us know that small town America still exist. Thanks for
I went to Iowa for the first time in my life almost one year ago from Louisiana. My daughter is in college at Upper Iowa University. She absolutely loves it there. I started to feel like I couldn’t breath, them corn fields were closing in. She’s in Fayette, Iowa. The town is soooo small. I worried about her going there because I didn’t know anything about the state but me and my husband drove their, it’s a really nice college. I was kinda surprised they had such a big college in a tiny town. The town reminded me of a lot of the small towns in Louisiana. They have plenty towns in south Louisiana that are absolutely safe and beautiful places. If you don’t count New Orleans, Louisiana honestly we wouldn’t be the murder capital of the world. I wanted my daughter to go to The University Louisiana Lafayette but she was convinced she needed to go their with a couple other high school friends🙈 at least I feel like she is safe there in Iowa after visiting the area.
Grew up in NW Iowa, then moved to Wisconsin for jobs and spent our careers there. Now we are back to stay in a small town in Iowa and we love it. May be boring, but it's safe and clean and full of great people who help each other.
Grew up in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Very much like this place, but with more scenery and wildlife. Cannot wait to retire up there someday - for 8 months out of the year. 😊
I've lived in Red Oak my whole life, over 40 years now. My parents moved here from the Los Angeles area in the late 70s to raise a family away from the big city. I like it here, but understand why others do not. It's a more simple way of life, but the worst part after all this time has to be the winter weather and temps to be honest 😂
I'm yet to experience dining at one of these genuine small mom & pop diners, in my visits to America. Will definitely do some research for my next visit, even if I have to travel to some neighboring states. Need to experience this. Keep up the great job you do Nick.
O my god, that looked awful. The food, the ambiance, yaks. Not for my european taste. Big windows, light colour walls, clean, food i can not cook at home because it is too complicated - this is a reason i go to a restaurant. Not shovel down greasy horror in a dingy room
ugh this video makes me miss home!! I live in LA now. But I am from Ashland Nebraska . I used to spend my off time driving thru small towns admiring the open fields and blue skies. Laying in a field of grass with the sun on my face feeling totally at peace and safe. Now I have to step over homeless people and always watch my back ugh.
We used to be able to get a very nice home for under $150k here in my part of Charleston County, SC just 2 to 3 years ago. Now, the growth has pushed those same homes over $350K today. This little town looks lovely. My husband is an electrician and could likely get work anywhere that's having construction. Though here, he's a commercial electrician, working on jobs like that Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, and schools and such.
You have made me so homesick! Red Oak is my dads hometown and I go back every time I can . The Rainbow was in the family for years, The Williams Pool Hall is still family and it's just the best. Junction Days at the end of June is the greatest. You visited the best, seeing the water tower come in to view as you drive down the hiway is the highlight!
What makes this Iowan town great is not merely a good old mid-century building & house itself, but a true American spirit of the people who live there.
Thank you Nick! It’s been too long since I was last over through Red Oak. However I do remember driving through there on my way to Omaha once several years ago now. It reminds me of where I live in Washington over in southeast Iowa. We’re about 7300 people and just 32 miles from Iowa City. Yep you definitely visited the American Heartland! Thank you for sharing this! Us midwesterners aren’t all that bad after all! Keep these videos coming please. Mark in Iowa.
With remote work on the rise I think these small towns will begin to grow again. Eventually people will leave the large metro areas and go to safer, cleaner, and more affordable pastures. America expanded and was built on towns like this, and it'll be rebuilt with towns like this. History always repeats itself.
Hell yeah I am 22 and considering moving to a small town just due to the fact being in Information Technology remote work is very common in that field.
Remote work is pretty stagnant right now. Written by a remote worker in small town Iowa. Well FORMER remote worker. Former worker for that matter. Ugghhh. I am about an hour from Red Oak.
What a darling town. I love Iowa. I’m from podunk Indiana, and I could care less about excitement. If I want big time entertainment, I’ll drive a few hours to a big city. And then I’ll go back home, and feel blessed. Really enjoyed listening to Elaine, too.
ill never forget the time my ex from paris came to indiana and his first words were "you can see so much of the sky" - that has rlly stuck with me all these yeras
I live in a small Iowa town and unfortunately we don’t have a town square. Instead we have a busy Highway going right through town. Business owners were afraid they would lose business if the town was bypassed😳
Here are all of my Iowa videos! ruclips.net/p/PLq-_cmf3H6yo9yHsanE5Ysqvxsu9KGIcY
I have lived in IOWA since 1952 GO HAWKS
Hey Nick I drove all over that area. super nice people Had to work there. Nobody could do my job up there. Everyone was nice, very little crime. Even in Sioux city where I stayed at the comfort inn. The people even in the big city were nice...But there was crime and homeless, and gangs in Sioux City. Some areas were pretty rough and others were Super super nice and super super safe.
Wishing peace all over USA 🇺🇸
@My Cancer Journey well lets hope your prognosis is good. Or at least your spirits are high.
How many 🐓s do you suck to be that insulting ?.........😊
It's been nearly two years now since I moved from my hometown of Seattle, Washington to a small town in central Kentucky. Absolutely the best decision I've ever made. Safe, friendly, affordable and clean. No more traffic, homeless encampments everywhere with violence and drugs, and constant drama. Life is wonderful in small town America!
Just don't bring Seattle's liberal politics with you.
This is code for "I love not living by minorities"
@@stegura83 Wouldn't have moved across the country to get away from that liberal hell hole if I were planning on bringing it with me. 🙂
@@shrim1481 Minorities is a outdated and obsolete term.
@@shrim1481 Really? Because I am married to one.
I hope small towns like this don't end up fading away over time.
They must be preserved
They will if people choose to do the same where they're coming from.
They won't, because they seem to be white safe havens.
They wont, only mining and industrial towns tend to fade away after the industry is shut down
People are beginning to flee cities, small towns and rural life is the future cities are going to be a shadow of what they are, if they even are around.
I’m a flight attendant of 33 years, and I’ve been all over the world, so I know my passengers and I’ve come to the conclusion that my favorite passengers are those from middle America. They are simple, conscientious, sensible and just down right nice.
It's fake. I've been in Iowa my whole life and live in small town Illinois now. They're fake and all of em talk behind everyone's backs. As long as you are exactly like them they'll be your best friend, otherwise they're only being polite to your face.
People from the west coast are mostly drama, fake, and inconsiderate. Ask me how I know. Lol
Like which states do you mean middle america. I'm not American but it just got my curiosity :D
@@cf.dv777 From my understanding of middle America, I am guessing anywhere that are in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Colorado... etc.
@@votummstellarumm1581 Ill keep them as a reminder. Thank you kindly.
I'm from the UK and was lucky enough to spend a few months exploring the US some years ago. I would move to small town mid-west America in a heartbeat. Red Oak looks like a really nice, peaceful small town. I bet there are some lovely people there.
😂😂😂😂😂 yeah!! For white people!!
@@chocolateamethyst☻💨
the British are theives
Iowans are good people. Common sense people.
Lots of racists and Trump fans.
It makes me glad that places like this still exist in this country. We often focus on the negative instead of the positives. I'd like to move to a place like this someday.
I live in small town Iowa and can confirm it is not this good
@@Verdun16why?
@@Verdun16false most are similar. And they aren't all Bible Thumpers FYI
@@michaelangelo1787 Boredom, and, at least in the town I live in, weird people
Look at the architecture. Town looks virtually untouched since the 1940s/1950s. And the fact that the residents have been there for their entire life just adds to the community feel.
Yeah and I hate that
I bet there’s lots of racists there too. I’m sure I wouldn’t fit in and there are lots of right wing racists with Confederate flags on their balcony.
Boring and dull
They are very scummy and have a lot of drama nothint but it
It looks a lot better than Red Oak, Texas, which is a drug addicted, riddled dump.
I grew up in Florida and spent my teaching career in So. Cal. Moved to Iowa to escape Kali last July. So far I'm diggin' it! Even faired okay for the winter.
An avid motorcyclist I look forward to exploring small-town Iowa this spring.
I moved to San Diego from a small town in west Tennessee that is just like this place. It's one of the worst decisions I made in my life. Over Half of all my income goes towards just existing. Making friends has been impossible. People are really cold and distant by comparison. And forget about dating. The big cities just don't have good people. I've literally sat on the sidewalk in tears while people walked by like I didn't exist. Do you wanna be bored or do you want literally EVERYTHING to be more difficult and inconvenient? I'd rather be bored than have to drive around for 20 minutes to find a parking spot! Don't take small towns like this for granted, people
You are too soft for cities. EVERYTHING is so convenient in a city. I cannot stand living somewhere you need to drive to get anything done Culture? Forget it out in the sticks.
Amen
you should return to Tennessee. i left Oceanside ca. i was far from anything worth calling home. Too sunny and deserty there it felt like except they planted a lot but still not home there.
You sat on the sidewalk crying? Have you no dignity?!?
Lol TN is not a fun place! I love SD! People wise dating is horrible!
Iowa is extremely underrated if you desire safe environment, clean cities, and friendly citizens.
Des Moines is legit nice town
Didn't they just recently had that mass killing of the 4 college students?
My dad was born in Charter Oak, Iowa. I have fond memories of visiting my grandparents for a summer there. We were never bored. Now I'm thinking I may retire there and let the grandkids I have in So Cal come visit me for the summer.
These may not get the same number of views as the dystopian ones you make but both are important to see. Keep up the good work Nick.
I know eric
This was important video. Made me want to find the balance of a small town with close by job markets. I'm tried of living in Boston with the hellscape of big cities. Been feeling this way for years. Get away from the cities and live in a small town. But my income stays the same.
@@NickJohnson Hi Nick, you had me in your "Unboxing Iowa" video for quite a while. My grocery store in Malvern, IA burned down 16 months ago,but the rebuild will be coming soon. Search RUclips for "They Came From All Over", a documentary coming out soon about my efforts! I would love to hear from you!
Email me Tom! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail
I got stuck behind a tractor yesterday in rural NC. I enjoyed it. My doggie was enjoying the view and the weather. Most rural towns look the same.
Our town doesn’t have much going on at all.
Yay Erica!
Nice to know places like this still exist
For how long?
My idea of hell.
What about middle of nowhere potato state Idaho?
Free Market kill small towns
It be nice if Disneyland opened a theme park here.
This is fascinating. A face of America you don't really get to see. Not exactly a "tourist destination" but exactly the kind of towns I am curious about! Excellent video and commentary. Watching from Switzerland😊
If you wanted to see the real America, this is it. It's lovely. Good people.
@@annmariemarin5513 This isn't real America. This is just a bunch of old, fat white people who are all retired and have no reason to leave now that they no longer need a job. There are no jobs in places like this, which is why anyone under the age of 65 doesn't live there. This is why all you see are old retired folks, and none of them have darker skin color than bright pink.
@@annmariemarin5513 Good people?! I didn’t see people!
@@annmariemarin5513 not the "real America" the "old America."
This America used to be the norm and its dying. It's very sad but these small independent towns and the people who live in them are the bane of Washington's existence and purpose. They want these towns and the people who live in them to all die, that is not an exaggeration.
Watching out of pure curiosity and this does have its charme, doesn't it? Reminds me of movies like the Goonies and ET. Its a shame most of threse places are so backwards politically.
Iowa is a rational-thinking state rooted in Lutheran and Scandinavian traditions that highly values education. It shows. I grew up in Prairie Du Chien across the river. Very good memories.
Many small towns in Iowa are stilled rooted back to the European settlers, IE pella- Dutch, story city- Norwegians, emmetsburg- Irish catholic.
if you wete rational you wouldnt live there
Many Irish and German Catholic families as well
Iowa native here..Our 6 kids and 14 grandkids live in Iowa.. Best place to raise a family❤️
white people
I went from living in a large city to a small town and will never go back. On every level its a much better.
I raised my kids in Davenport Iowa. As soon as the kids got out on their own, I couldn’t wait to leave. Now after living in Mesa AZ for 37 years, I can’t wait to get outa here! Homelessness and fentanyl are everywhere! If it wasn’t for the snow, I’d move back in a heartbeat!
37 years ago Mesa/Gilbert was small compared to today. Mesa 150k population 1980's. It was nice to be able to go dove hunting pretty much everywhere. I was raised there. It had a small town feeling to it back then. Like Gilbert did. As soon as the orange groves and corn fields got demolished it was a free for all with the building. I can see why you chose Mesa back then. We lived down the street from the Iowa Cafe and went all the time.
Becky you can most certainly move back now since Iowa eliminated taxes on retirement income. While they won’t touch your pension, 401k or SSI, Iowa will still want a piece of the interest on your savings and or brokerage accounts and other stuff too.
Interesting. I had a college professor once who said in American we throw everything away, even our cities.
Snow keeps out the riff-raff maybe?
I remember Mesa back in the mid eighties. It was the go-to place and rapidly growing. But almost rural. Gilbert too. Now the whole place is exactly as you said. A hot mess!!!
White, 35yo male from Johannesburg, South Africa. This vid of Iowa filled me with great envy. I would love to live in small town communities in America where everyone is on the same page, working together to keep society grounded and safe. You guys are blessed, don’t take for granted. Always impressed by traditional American work ethic and family values. Godspeed
Southern border wide open,if your willing to support yourself you would be welcome
I'm from North Iowa and we often have White South African Farm Labourers come over and work for the summer and harvest. They make pretty good money. Look into a program like that and you can come and visit for yourself and make good money while doing it. People will enjoy having you around greatly! Yahn and Gert (two south Africans who work here) are local legends!
Crazy leftists are trying to ruin the rest of the country sadly
I lived in Iowa City for almost 2 years in early 1990s and absolutely loved that time of my life. I lived in a quiet suburb in a big barn furnished comfortably for living and was able to make valuable friendships that continue to this day. The good university and comfortable campus, many well-known academics contracted there, and the friendly not cocky atmosphere. Sometimes even now I make virtual trips back to my good old Iowa City to walk the streets there again.
I will say, we have a joke around here that Iowa City is one of the least Iowa parts of Iowa. 😂 over half of the people there are even from the Chicago suburbs. But it is a lovely place.
Joes place, deadwood and johns grocery still there.
@@vgshwk yes Joe's place is still there my uncle manages it.. I was born and raised in iowa city but live in Houston now
What Iowa City did you live in?! I lived there through the 90s as a kid and it was awful. It was expensive, people were assholes, police were assholes (I even knew this as a kid) and it was too busy even then because of the University.
@@MekareP Iowa City
You hit the nail on the head, Nick, about Red Oak, Iowa. Nothing's wrong with Red Oak, Iowa!!!
bullshit😂
My AT&T cell phone doesn’t work in Red Oak, LOL. Dealbreaker!
@@nathanbush6781 Verizon is mostly used there no?
@@nathanbush6781Sounds like a personal problem/off-topic/a feeble attempt at humor.
Yes there is ITS TO COLD!!!
Being from Omaha, I can completely understand the appeal for small-town living. I’ve visited dozens of them over the decades and I’ve always teased my wife by saying, “I’m going to move here one day” for every town I’ve passed through or visited. I’m starting to become more serious about “one day” now, especially after watching this.
It's never too early Randall!
It's an idealized fantasy.
I’m from da O to but I don’t like the idea of people all of a sudden moving in lmao dis last 3 years to much goin on thanks to those comin in from da outside but still relaxed good opportunities and Iowa, over here in Omaha is known for the home of da crackheads but pretty chill lots of trailer homes but yea Omaha is good compare to any place I been honestly lol
Look at what a shitshow portland has become and it will be "right now" lol
Omaha Eppley Field was the easiest and friendliest airport that I've ever been to.
Another great video and a great location. Small town Midwest has many hidden gems. Pride in community and keeping it tight knit is the formula, along with good local jobs. Take care!
I am German and just saw a lovely little town called Red Oak in Iowa!!! Its awesome!!!
I love this video! I think I would happily live in a town like this in the USA. I’m from a small town like this in Brazil. When I was younger, I didn’t like living in a small town so I moved to a bigger one. After the pand3mic I came back to my hometown to be with my parents and now I love it here! Love the calmness, the safety and slow living.
Pretty little town! I love neat and clean towns. People are looking for a safe town to raise children.
I really liked this town. Lots of trees, everything is neat and clean.
But what surprises me is that I don't see people on the street.
Watching from Russia, Novosibirsk (Siberia).
Hello, From South East Asia perception I Do Not see Diversity. I also live in a small town
East of San Francico Bay and 18% of populations are Bilingual. I like it here. It's a peaceful town.🤫
@@tidathery9787
Dublin?
I have the same,, with a girlfriend from USA,,,,,visa problems for both of us,,, I live in Europe where nobody locks their doors when we go out,,,, we can only be together three months in each others countries in any one year,,,,, but we walk the towns and mingle,,,, was a shock for me when I realized nobody walks in America
People usually drive their automobiles if going more than 1 city block. 🙂
@@tommysheehan8707 Crime is very high here and people have more than one lock on their doors
I’m from Brazil and I’ve been in IOWA for the last twenty years. Enjoying the country side and many small towns
Nick, you’re right.We need more Red Oak towns in this country.A fine example of what life could be like.Thanks for sharing.
I keep coming back to this because of that house @ 3:13, absolutely georgeus. Thank you for the presentation!
I love these types of videos on small towns Nick! No one can tel it like you do!❤
I fell in love with Bluffton Ohio, which is a small village in northwest Ohio in Allen county because it’s still got a thriving main street with beautiful buildings and the houses are in good shape and have different areas and styles including multiple Victorian houses and I can tell that the community has taken Pride and great effort to keep the village looking like it’s thriving. I am attracted by the same qualities in red Bluff Iowa because you can tell that it’s not dying and that it is keeping itself revitalized without having to change into some kind of modern version of its former self. I think that’s what makes these small villages and towns and cities so attractive… When they invest time and money into keeping up, what was built before the 1950s
Nice double line pass, dude. Been and lived in major cities all over the place in America and elsewhere, middle of nowhere, Iowa, are my favorite types of places to be.
Living in a small town is very happy. ❤️ People are always talking with each other.
My grandparents lived just north of Red Oak in another small town, Atlantic.
Not much to do in the way of shopping & dining but more outdoor things such as fishing, camping, swimming. etc...
I would visit in the summers. A lot of bbq. Small town livin' is not bad at all.
Elaine sure was a great representative for her town. It looks wonderful there. 1 hour to Omaha and 2 hours to Des Moines. I appreciate this look into rural Iowa life
Visited both, driving from NYC, nice quite towns and lots of cornfields.
I also think she had a very balanced insightful comments
yeah she so pretty
Irish viewer here. Red Oak is a lovely town especially compared to most others on your channel. Let's hope all those big city folk don't try to change the conservative nature of these small towns.
Exactly.
Keep them poorly educated, closed minded, and hateful.
@@loosilu Look who's being prejudiced.
Let's be honest, it's the demographics that make the difference. Think of how Ireland was before the migrants.
@@SashaBurgess1933 The entire west has been destroyed by the Kalergi plan. Supported by WEF and UN.
I liked seeing this town and it has some "salt of the earth" type people. This lady is a great ambassador for Red Oak. Every town needs someone like her.
I am glad there is a place in US that is not ridden with homeless people and is pleasant to live in because people support each other. That is how the whole World should be ❤
Viewer from Sweden here🇸🇪
Red Oak seems like the perfect ''Hallmark christmas movie'' type of town, which I adore and is also the reason why I love small town America!
Visiting a small town like Red Oak is something that now aleays has been on my bucket list and I really hope I'll get the chance to visit the town in the near future before larger establishments/businesses move there that would ruin the small town feeling (with mom & pop restaurants, small hatdware stores, small businesses, cheap housing, etc, etc)
I live here in red oak !
@@AnnFarnum oh wow!! How is it like living there?
As a truck driver our company picks up in Oskaloosa IA every week ,I love this small town, friendly folks everywhere you go !
Obey our traffic laws as you pass through
Red Oak makes me think of the 1980's John Mellencamp hit song " Small Town."
Small towns like this give me a warm nostalgic feeling. I've never visited this place, yet it seems so familiar somehow.
You’re probably not the only one, but the only one that I really pay attention to. Your cliff note dissection of America is very interesting. Upon the realization that a positive video is very rare. I actually shared this one a few times. Just realized that I have many friends that, need to see these. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
What a lovely little town! I just got back from a road trip and passed through many small towns. It's really tempting to take a serious look at relocating to a place like this. Elaine was super nice and informative!
The main street looks like an empty film set. This channel is a great way to have a look into whats going on over there in the U.SofA. cheers
I’m from and love small-town Iowa but have lived on the west coast for 93% of my life. I just bought a house there and I’m so excited! Love these videos!
93% of your life? That's oddly specific
My mom grew in a small town in NE Iowa. I grew up outside of Chicago, but I feel as though a large part of my values and who I am come from my parents and my Grandma Williams and Iowa. The beauty of NE Iowa is amazing. We lost my grandma in 2008 and I miss her so much. What I also miss about Iowa is the complete genuineness of the people. When you have a conversation people are listening and it's meaningful. People are interested in you, whether you like it or not, I like it. I'm from the midwest and Iowa is the only place where on countless occasions you hear of people helping others out not to get anything but just because they can help. I haven't been back to my mom's hometown but am hoping to go back one last time to relive some memories and to say goodbye.
Values like not liking black people?
@@movieswithmatticus5469 I live in Marshalltown IA and we have a very ethnically diverse community including "black people". There is a deep rooted community feeling to this place. Your comment is ill-spoken and uninformed. Personally, I find your comment very offensive. You should not make sweeping statements about things you know nothing about.
@@richardjohnson1261 Why did you put black people in quotation marks?
@@movieswithmatticus5469 gtfo
@@movieswithmatticus5469 I am also from a small town in NE Iowa. We don't have black, brown, white, green, purple or whatever other color neighbors, we have a COMMUNITY where everyone are neighbors and are always willing to help out each other. Skin color doesn't mean a thing around these neck of the woods, its all about being a good person. We all work side by side and wave hi to each other when passing by, we have gatherings where we invite all of our neighbors. You will find us Iowan's in every position of society from the nice cleaning person to the mayor to the local doctor/dentist/nurse, regardless of race, color, creed or gender, we are all inclusive. “Iowa is God's country”
Downtown Red Bluff is straight out of a movie set. What a beautiful little town that seems ideal for raising a family. There are not many places left where blue collar workers can raise a family and afford a good standard of living. I hope their town continues to flourish.
Where are these blue collar workers going to work? Most of these folks sold out for equity and paid cash to retire. It would be a 1950s dream come true to move into small town USA but there isn't opportunity to get a head. And young people don't want to live in a washed community.
Red Bluff, California? That's not what I have seen or heard.
red bluff is awful
I'm new to this channel and I just gotta say I love it, this guy cracks me up!
Beautiful Town. Literally the heart of America
I really like what I see here and other places of similarity. I am looking at moving out of Illinois.
Looks well kept.
i.e. dead
@Champwsox05 lot of small towns in Illinois too. Illinois is more than just chicago and the burbs
@@person-ce8cr Exactly... Illinois has a ton of small towns with great prices on homes.
My wife and I moved to Iowa last year from Nevada. Not to a small town though. We're 5 miles outside a VERY small town. Our nearest neighbor is a mile down the gravel road. We LOVE it. Surrounded by miles of corn fields. Its peaceful, the people are friendly, I just can't imagine living any other life. And yes, Iowa nice really is a thing.
You have described my grand parents farm outside of Union, IA, At night, the moonlit view from the front porch across the corn fields was like looking out across water. The gently rolling landscape mimicked the rising and falling swells of a calm sea. In the distance, atop the next rise of the land, the lights from the neighboring farm appear to be a ship at sea. This impression is reinforced by the sound the wind makes rustling the corn fields.
During the day the 100 year old elm trees (how they survived I'll never know) kept the house shaded. The sound of wind rustled corn fields was replaced by the squeaky metal propeller of the water pump atop it's tower.
But it was the cloud of dust in the distance that herald the arrival of a visitor. The dust cloud gets larger as the stil unseen auto approaches.
The house was Gothic Revival in style with pointed arched windows! Unbelievably it was painted a dark shade of eggplant with trim painted a pale yellow.
My grandparents did not farm, my great grand parents did and this was their farm. Somewhere in the 1950's, since no family was interested in actually farming my grand father sold the whole thing - house, outbuildings, the land, the whole works to a commercial agricultural company with the agreement that the farmhouse would be leased back to them until they both were dead. In 1996 my grandmother died 4 months after my grandfather did. And when that happened, the house reverted back to the commercial agricultural company.
They proceeded to burn the house and all the out buildings to the ground and plowed the ashes into the soil.
The only thing left to indicate there was a farm is the windrow. Yes, the elms were felled, too.
I have vivid memories and PHOTOS of the farm house; I last visited it in 1990, in my early thirties, when I brought my Swiss boyfriend to show him a different America.
@@ericscott5224
Perfectly said.
Although we're getting hammered by a thunderstorm right now.
@@johngalt2506 As a child, living in Mason City I remember the thunder would shake the house. And how, in mere moments, a clear sky could darken as the storm front moved through. At times the clouds turning an ominous dark, olive green color. We'd pray it ws not a harbinger of something worse.
@@ericscott5224
I grew up in earthquake country so I'm definitely nervous about tornadoes
I'm in Mason City often, I live outside Bristow.
Just looking at that thumbnail brought back my feeling of depression, lol. I grew up in Minnesota and spent more time in those places than I cared to. Good people, hard-working, but there was always the overwhelming energies of having settled, stuck in a routine, being complacent.
I thank them all for creating a strong desire in me to not let that be my fate; I moved away as soon as I could!
You could also thank them for feeding your face.
What a beautiful town
Loved watching the documentary and the way you presented it. Fascinating for someone like me from a far away country
As someone who lives in a rural Iowa town of 128, We love it here, sure its a half hour drive to the nearest big city, but its something we are used to, same with going to work, the trade off of living rural to big city is worth it, less crime, lower housing costs, its quiet well kept and nice
Come visit Clearlake and mason city iowa
Mason City? Home of one of the most notorious crimes in America. The disappearance of TV reporter Jody Husentruit.
Well, it is 95%White and everyone goes to church and believes in God so of course it is safe!
The men get drunk outside the house and the women inside it.
Exactly
lol. 😂 rural Iowa is a hellhole.
dumb
Stuck in the 19th Century isn't a flex.
My brother is a 18 wheel driver who has to go through big cities all the time and he loves coming home to his small town. He says it’s like coming home to peace of mind and safety ❤️❤️❤️
I grew up on the other side of the state in southeast Iowa. While my hometown is twice the size of Red Oak, it was pretty much that way when I was growing up. Big, old homes, most well maintained, you knew everybody, kids rode their bikes everywhere, and you could walk around any time of the day or night, and no one would bother you.
This is so refreshing. I wish I could just go outside and meet such nice people like this. Haha, your song Nick 😂 lol you're the best! ❤
I've been watching the housing market in a little town in Northern Michigan for the past eight or so months and in that time period the housing market went from 60+ listings, to 50 listings to now where it's down to less than 30 listings. I'm pretty sure small town life has really caught on here in Michigan and I get why
Only the tourist and popular places
No one is selling into these high interest rates if they are sitting at 3%
This is common during winter in northern states. There will be a lot more housing on the market soon.
Work from home people realized they can actually live in small town America. As large Cities deteriorate I can see a population transfer coming in the long term.
@@jeffrobodine8579 Small towns and small cities across the country will continue to die as young people flee. Especially with the fascism that conservatives are now wielding. Home prices in large cities continue to climb. There's a reason for that.
This is kind of what the Fresno,CA area was like. It was pretty nice before the meth and gangs.
Bakersfield, Shafter and Wasco in Central California were the same too, till meth came.
@@juniyananajukyu exactly 💯
This place is full of meth too. I live in red oak
Many places in this country were, even Camden, NJ back in the day...
My friend’s family was in Fresno and I went there 81-83 during the summers. What I miss the most is going to the garden to pick cherry 🍒it’s fun.
I grew up in the mid-west and its the best place to live in this country. I've lived all over this country, NE, Mid Atlantic, West Coast. I would go back to the rural mid- west in a nano second. The people are great, the communities are safe and life is still simple. God Bless the mid-west.
Small towns in the US are living in ways I think everyone should live. They are safer alternatives. More boring.. MAYBE.. but that's in the eyes of the beholder. I find quiet, calm and serene to bring in excitement in its own ways. As in.. none whatsoever. Just safe and beautiful, with chances to build nostalgic memories that bind you to that place even more.
I live in a small town in Norway (35,000 in the town, with a total of 100,000 surrounding the whole area of around 1402 square kilometers, or roughly 400 square miles) and this is large enough space to not keep us bumping into one another and most suburban areas have lone standing houses with some apartments scattered about. From the suburban areas you have multiple hubs for shopping, multiple smaller towns (like 5,000-10,000 people) all within 15-20 minutes drive from one another. The furthest being one hour away. This is how I think everyone should live. It's fresh, it's clean.. similar, yet still can provide a different growing up experience for many that leads to them being more connected to one town than another.
Yet.. none of these have the same sort of charm as US small towns. It's difficult to put my finger on. Might be the lack of familiarity and a sort of nostalgic vibe that I have gotten growing up and watching movies. Nostalgia for a sort of place I have never been in.
I was born and raised in the Midwest and I wouldn't live anywhere else, briefly lived in California and couldn't wait to get out of there! The city I'm in now is around 90,000 and it's just perfect. Nothing better than feeling safe!! 💋
I can only dream about this. I'm in my 60s. Lived in SF for 30 years. I'm ready to chill in a small town such as this. Imagine that no noise, fresh air and hopefully open minded folks.
If you own a home, cash it in and make it happen. Life is too short. Be happy
We welcome you as long as you DONT come here and vote DEMOCRAT!
@@jeffb321 Real open minded folks
Open minded 😂
@okbutwhy3803 Why would you want to live around people who aren't in the same mindset that you yourself are? Difference in opinions are some of the biggest socialite obstacles.
I am from Hong Kong and currently living in the North Western part of Tokyo, my whole life has been living in two of the largest urban area on earth by different metrics, and I honestly would not mind to have a quiet living in this Iowa town.
Yes, pace is arguably slower (that part is subjective as well, you haven't seen old Asian man and woman on the subway escalator during rush hour)
From the video I genuinely envy that part you can actually have a moment to experience living, having a pancake in local establishment, knowing the shopkeeper in aisle in local shops on a Thursday afternoon, this is exactly the picture I have for a television suburbia in 90s when I played Sims. It is fulfilling, you feel completed when you go to bed wanting to start another morning.
Even in some of our smallest towns in USA you can hear a few people speaking dialects of south east China
@@jamesrecknor6752We don't want that encroachment. It changes the character of the place because they also bring their culture and way of thinking, which is not the same as the people and culture of those who created the town.
@@ghostlyimageoffear6210 So you would go to their faces and tell them to go back to where they came from? Maybe those people can settle in, contribute and be good citizens without "changing the character" of the place?
They are less harmful than your ancestors who "encroached" and wiped out Native Americans. And then proceeded to "encroach" upon, say, the Philippines and Nicaragua with Manifest Destiny and later Vietnam with all sorts of things like /\gent 0range and "free f!re z0nes. Think about the historical big picture sometime, you bigots.
I live in an urban part of Iowa but small towns in Iowa are great. Some of the best people you’ll ever meet.
This is America❤
Greatings from Budapest.
So nice to see places like that, THIS is what real America is!
I live in a small town Crisfield md. Blue crab capital of the world. Our town is dying fast. It breaks my heart.
*A safe haven for people who want to preserve the simple things that made our lives good.*
Our gilded American spirit still lives!
I’d move there in a heartbeat,I’m in the uk and I’ve been drawn to a small town in the USA since I was a child,coming out soon to visit and hopefully get an Old Ford crown Vic or Chevy caprice I’m not fussy just want a v8 to bring back home
Nicest people are in Iowa. I'm going back to the Midwest for my retirement. Sweet corn and BBQ ribs. Backyard tomatoes and cucumbers. State and county fairs. Crazy summer thunderstorms lighting up the night sky. Fourth of July parades. Lightning bugs. Friday night demolition derby. Good living. Green, green grass of home. You put up with winter snow storms but you live in a post card of the seasons and everyone shares the experience.
I'm glad places like this still exist. I still live in small town California and I want to return to Louisiana. Thanks for letting us know that small town America still exist. Thanks for
I went to Iowa for the first time in my life almost one year ago from Louisiana. My daughter is in college at Upper Iowa University. She absolutely loves it there. I started to feel like I couldn’t breath, them corn fields were closing in. She’s in Fayette, Iowa. The town is soooo small. I worried about her going there because I didn’t know anything about the state but me and my husband drove their, it’s a really nice college. I was kinda surprised they had such a big college in a tiny town. The town reminded me of a lot of the small towns in Louisiana. They have plenty towns in south Louisiana that are absolutely safe and beautiful places. If you don’t count New Orleans, Louisiana honestly we wouldn’t be the murder capital of the world. I wanted my daughter to go to The University Louisiana Lafayette but she was convinced she needed to go their with a couple other high school friends🙈 at least I feel like she is safe there in Iowa after visiting the area.
Grew up in NW Iowa, then moved to Wisconsin for jobs and spent our careers there. Now we are back to stay in a small town in Iowa and we love it. May be boring, but it's safe and clean and full of great people who help each other.
Grew up in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Very much like this place, but with more scenery and wildlife.
Cannot wait to retire up there someday - for 8 months out of the year. 😊
Michigan is the best state in the union GO BLUE Gene Gorringe Mi 💙✌️🇺🇲🇬🇧
I've lived in Red Oak my whole life, over 40 years now. My parents moved here from the Los Angeles area in the late 70s to raise a family away from the big city. I like it here, but understand why others do not. It's a more simple way of life, but the worst part after all this time has to be the winter weather and temps to be honest 😂
Miserable weather. Either freezing your tatas off or sweating balls. I HATE it.
I'm yet to experience dining at one of these genuine small mom & pop diners, in my visits to America. Will definitely do some research for my next visit, even if I have to travel to some neighboring states. Need to experience this. Keep up the great job you do Nick.
Yeah, I miss these. South Florida used to be full of them.
@@dianevanderlinden3480 they are my favorite places to eat. There are still several mom and pop restaurants here up in northeast Florida.
@@robertmoore2049 I also miss The Clock. It's nice to find and old-school mom and pop. One of these days have to get up your way.
O my god, that looked awful. The food, the ambiance, yaks. Not for my european taste. Big windows, light colour walls, clean, food i can not cook at home because it is too complicated - this is a reason i go to a restaurant. Not shovel down greasy horror in a dingy room
The lore surrounding small diners is often over-rated. Many have incredibly slow service, their kitchen help is understaffed, and not great cooks.
ugh this video makes me miss home!! I live in LA now. But I am from Ashland Nebraska . I used to spend my off time driving thru small towns admiring the open fields and blue skies. Laying in a field of grass with the sun on my face feeling totally at peace and safe. Now I have to step over homeless people and always watch my back ugh.
i did my masters in iowa, worked, lived there for 7 years .. great warm people. ❤
I think small towns will be making a comeback in the future 👍🏼
We used to be able to get a very nice home for under $150k here in my part of Charleston County, SC just 2 to 3 years ago. Now, the growth has pushed those same homes over $350K today. This little town looks lovely. My husband is an electrician and could likely get work anywhere that's having construction. Though here, he's a commercial electrician, working on jobs like that Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island, and schools and such.
I love how Nick narrates his tours. I love his Podcast. And I love all the old crumbling towns he visits. It's all good.
You have made me so homesick! Red Oak is my dads hometown and I go back every time I can . The Rainbow was in the family for years, The Williams Pool Hall is still family and it's just the best. Junction Days at the end of June is the greatest. You visited the best, seeing the water tower come in to view as you drive down the hiway is the highlight!
Aww good Cindy!
I have been to Iowa and I would say it’s a great state with nice, respectful, and welcoming people. Wish I would have moved there.
What makes this Iowan town great is not merely a good old mid-century building & house itself, but a true American spirit of the people who live there.
white people. non-whites don't have towns like this
I lived in Des Moines twice, the nicest state and people ever😎
Thank you Nick! It’s been too long since I was last over through Red Oak. However I do remember driving through there on my way to Omaha once several years ago now. It reminds me of where I live in Washington over in southeast Iowa. We’re about 7300 people and just 32 miles from Iowa City. Yep you definitely visited the American Heartland! Thank you for sharing this! Us midwesterners aren’t all that bad after all! Keep these videos coming please. Mark in Iowa.
I was in Iowa for a consulting project. The people there are so nice and polite.
I absolutely love that town, my type of place.
From England 🏴.
Wow! This might be my place.
It's not a broken down dump ✔️
Blue collar manufacturer ✔️
Good schools✔️
I grew up in a small Iowa town. Definitely miss it.
With remote work on the rise I think these small towns will begin to grow again. Eventually people will leave the large metro areas and go to safer, cleaner, and more affordable pastures. America expanded and was built on towns like this, and it'll be rebuilt with towns like this. History always repeats itself.
Hell yeah I am 22 and considering moving to a small town just due to the fact being in Information Technology remote work is very common in that field.
Remote work is pretty stagnant right now. Written by a remote worker in small town Iowa. Well FORMER remote worker. Former worker for that matter. Ugghhh. I am about an hour from Red Oak.
What a darling town. I love Iowa. I’m from podunk Indiana, and I could care less about excitement. If I want big time entertainment, I’ll drive a few hours to a big city. And then I’ll go back home, and feel blessed. Really enjoyed listening to Elaine, too.
ill never forget the time my ex from paris came to indiana and his first words were "you can see so much of the sky" - that has rlly stuck with me all these yeras
Did you know (demoted) Captain James Tiberius Kirk was born and raised in Riverside, Iowa.(Not Kelvin Timeline) Born in Shuttle(Kelvin TL)
I live in a small Iowa town and unfortunately we don’t have a town square. Instead we have a busy Highway going right through town. Business owners were afraid they would lose business if the town was bypassed😳
@Gary Miller Garnavillo