hey there nick... thanks for the more or less accurate overview of billings 2023... i just hope it doesn't get like those other big cities in america...
I was coming home through Billings on leave in the military, my truck broke down and the generosity given to me by Billings residence will never be forgotten. Billings holds a special place in my heart forever.
I lived in Wyoming for about 40 years. The last time I was there was 2008. I worked in corrections for awhile. Drugs and alcohol were most definitely problems in every place I lived or even visited. You don't see the massive problems with homelessness that many other areas because its just too cold in the winter.
@@westmax8491 Wyoming has a much higher elevation and has much colder winters. I recall one year where it never got above zero for over a month, and the wind continuously blows, making wind chill much worse. There's a huge difference between being cold and being freezing cold. Wyoming also has low populations, so there aren't the massive numbers of homeless folks there.
@@jcc9925 my daughter and her husband moved to Michigan for good jobs. I sold my house and moved too. I miss the scenery, but sure don't miss the winters, the wind or the rednecks.
@@westmax8491 its a matter of degree. Places like Portland, Seattle certainly aren't balmy, but they're nowhere anywhere close to as cold as WY or MT, I lived in both and even the rainiest day in Portland doesn't compare with the continuous onslaught of cold wind I had to endure in Wyoming and Eastern Montana. Plus, the populations of these places are way less, so you'll see fewer homeless even if the percentage is similar. (math)
You are the embodiment of what my channel would be - IF I were brave enough to actually post all of my roadtrip adventures. This introvert can’t handle that kind of exposure, though - so I watch your videos and cheer you on! ❤
Billings, Montana...???!!! Noooo...!!! 😢 Nick, as much as I enjoy & appreciate your wide-ranging lens on America (& especially knowing that there are still areas of hope & prosperity), seeing the demise of this beautiful nation is beginning to feel more & more like watching an autopsy in slow motion. VERY grateful that y'all are pulling back the curtain to let us observe the implosion, but at the same time, it's absolutely heartbreaking. Somehow, the light at the end of the tunnel is looking more & more like a train.
@@NickJohnson Maybe...Montana is one of this country's last best hopes (and not just because of the bad weather). Hopeful that Winston Churchill's words prove to be true. Again: "You can trust the Americans to do the right thing, after they've tried everything else."
Have you agree with this 100%. At this point, if you're looking to move somewhere to get away from all the jank, you gotta find the places people are NOT running to. Then maybe you can be free of it for the next 20-40 years. It's a disease, and unfortunately most of that disease is comprised of ex-Californians and we're coming to ruin your state and force it to vote Democrat for the next several generations. I wish what I was saying wasn't true, but unfortunately it is.
Just wanted to say with all the craziness in this world, your videos bring me joy and it’s much appreciated!!!! You’ve got your own thing going on and you’re not scared to speak the truth. Well done!!
We moved to Billings in 1976. I graduated Billings Senior in 1984. I moved away from Billings, and back again several times over the years. I moved out of Billings for the last time in 2004, I have been back maybe 8 times in 19 years. I don't miss the long hours, and low pay! When my mother passes away, I most likely will not make it back to Billings ever.
was born and raised just blocks from the giant Kelly Tire statue. Billings has a special place in my heart and I never considered it a bad place. I feel for the indigenous people. They try to cling to their traditions and values but it doesn't mix well with todays society. Everything went bad when they legalized the gambling.
Nice, My dad managed the Safeway in Billings on Fist Ave (which is now a Fastenal) from around 68-72. when I was pre-kindergarten, I always loved when we would drive by there and I could see that big statue. I am surprised it is still there. I miss West Park Plaza and Village Inn Pizza. I was actually in Billings 2 weeks ago for a car show. It is bad, but not as bad as most places, I would live there again if I had to.
In Montana a wile back,lik e the people outa town I farm so we get along gambling is a blight in the state. Went out side to have a smoke,5 or 6 people were trying to bum some change looking up the street bout all gambling dens. To bad the politicians couldn't find a way to finance the state without victomizeing the helpless.
Yep its a shame they did that, Billings went down hill after that, lots of homeless, Druggie types, all over Billings, not a good place to live anymore.
Nick very well done! Love this channel! As for all of the people moving to Billings, not to worry after a couple of winters most will be moving back to CA. Those winters are long and hard and require determination.
I was born and raised in Montana and we have always had an abundance of cheap track homes, trailer houses, manufactured homes. Why? Because when you see the "good jobs" are $50K, those are the people who can afford real houses. There are probably 10 to 1 making around $20-30K. Those are the ones that can afford the manufactured homes.
Those jobs are scarce in Montana..housing is an issue in most towns..big or small. Little cracker box houses are going for 3 and 400 thousand. @@jackwilliams5474
@@jackwilliams5474So what pays $50,000 per year sitting at home using a computer? Can a low IQ high school dropout learn the computer skills needed to make that kind of money?
I saw a survey that said San Francisco is the happiest city in the U.S.! I’m not sure if they are more happy with the bums crapping on the streets or the criminals robbing their stores, forcing them to close! So, like the surveys about Billings, you can’t always believe what you read.
@@virginiansupremacyI don’t talk about it but I’ve never been. But I imagine it’s because it’s been held as the gold standard for American living for so long. But what do I know lol
@@jimmonade Yes, it was the gold standard. I spent 3 days in SF then 7 in northern CA in the late 90's it was still nice. If we go father than just to the lake we go to Utah the last 3 years.
Anyone who thinks Billings is the worst place to live in Montana has never been to Browning. There's nothing quite like traversing the spiritually majestic Glacier Park and then being spit out the other side of the mountains into the hellscape of Browning. To be fair, there's a lonely, desolate kind of beauty to the land around Browning, but the town itself is nothing short of horrifying.
I was going to mention Browning! We went through there a few years ago. Quite depressing, and my first thought was, how do these people survive winter? Addiction seems to be rampant, such a sad state of affairs.
@@sbeers88 my wife grew up in malta, so we’ve been back and forth plenty. A lot of those small towns on the high line are struggling, but browning is just miserable in every possible way. My sister in law’s sister worked as a nurse in the hospital in Browning, and there were nights their ICU would rival one in any major city. Car accidents, assaults, attempted suicides, overdoses, etc. She’s not a weak person, but she burned out in 6 months.
Yeah, the hi-line is struggling for sure. Not much opportunity there outside of farming and ranching. I left Montana years ago ad now live in Japan. It's a shame because MT is a great state. @@kevinspilker6622
@@markbeames7852not in Jpan even slapin someone get you arested and suspect in any crime is held for 3 weeks while cops investigate,99% conviction rate there,inocent rather admit theyre guilty instead of siting in cage 😊
@@Dangic23Chinese are just as polite friendly contrary to our Gov tryin to demonize the place,,see LIVING in China chanel or KING KWESI or Rafa goes around. Cops in China dont even have guns 😊
@@Uhtred772 Civil society is real. When normal life is inculcated into a society for generations , you get a civil society. In the US, we are a warring country, only had 17 years of peace since 1776. That’s our culture.
I loved my time in Billings. The Yellowstone River is beautiful and the Rims are amazing. Yes, the Native Americans are often times drunk and not too disorderly most of the time. Billings has a lot of young people and they have their nighttime hangouts. I had so many friendly interactions with the locals. My hotel stay was beautiful and the food around various eateries were excellent. Every town has low income housing. You buy what you can afford. Winters are brutal. Most of the people here are hard working folks whom love nature.
The indigenous have a larger drinking, crime, unemployment problem because the Gummint give them free money and don't require work ethics. The same thing happened with Wuhan (merely Asian flu) thing. And THAT is why the entire country has moved in that direction.
The natives aren’t homeless here. They’re nomadic by nature and will comfortably sleep anywhere. Many just choose to not go home. Most of the natives here are good people. Not crack heads. The dispensaries here haven’t attracted a bad element. They’ve attracted money for our community. Slot machines aren’t legal here. You didn’t see one slot machine anywhere 🙄
I live and work in Wyoming but work for a delivery company headquartered in Billings. Been there more times than I can count and never had a single problem. Billings is actually a really friendly town.
I have lived in Montana all my 80 years and am now facing moving to St Louis area. Don't want to leave, I live in Great Falls and love it. Give me the open range and blue Skys and I am happy. Yes our winters are long but we manage to entertain our self and no we don't drink or gamble as long as the library has books I am happy.
I'm from CA yes we have issues here, but that does not make us all bad people. I have family in MT and we visit every year. I personally love it and would move back in a heart beat. I will say I am seeing more homeless and yes drugs, breaks my heart to see this in Billings.
All of us Californian's are evil, plotting to invade Montana like Vikings to hear Montanans tell it 😂 I moved to Montana 3 years ago from California. Got shunned my first two years here by the towns people. Once they realized that how they chose to perceive me was their problem and that I truly didn't care, they got over themselves.
Billings Montana shocked me. I saw people circling up at a fast food parking lot using needles in broad daylight. Then went to a local grocery store and drunk homeless begged for help. It was a nightmare.
Yes indeed Billings is getting much worse, years ago you would never see that stuff going on, now homeless people are showing up daily, street Prostitutes,Drug dealers, and very aggressive bums and pan handlers are all over, we got followed by by these people that kept wanting us to buy " Some thing ", and as we came out of the Restaurant, The Cops had two guys on the ground in the Parking Lot that were breaking into cars! Its a shame, the city has gone down hill so quickly.
I'm a Home Health Aid and I travel all over Billings to visit folks. The city is really spread out and some part such as Blue Creek and neighborhoods near the Rimrocks are really beautiful. I came from SF originally and I couldn't wait to leave that place. The quality of life is better and you don't have to dodge poop unless you're near a ranch or at a rodeo.
As a NW Wyoming resident, I've visited Billings many times over the years. I would not agree that Billings is the 'worst' place to live in Montana. Go to Denver if you want to see bad.
Montana is my old, stomping ground. I lived there back in 1992-98. It's God's country, for sure. I also watched Californians, but up, many of older homes, in the most smallest of towns, old mining towns, and they made it unaffordable for the locals. Locals had to move to wherever they could find a place. They were a displaced people. Big money, Californians, introduction of meth and crack, bought politicians, have ruined Montana.
And do you really think that us Californians aren't also displaced? People from all over the world move here and have been forever. People are moving out of where they have lived all their life because where they live has become to be too expensive. Even in the bad parts of California it is expensive now and the quality of life isn't good because there isn't much to do and people want to get away from the insanity that is California. Who ruined California? We used to be a red state. Should we also blame the influx of people that came here from all over the world?
@@kassie4426 the problem is, at least in the Reno NV case, a lot of you Californians come here, buy multiple houses, for cash and for more than what they're worth, and that is how the cost of living has skyrocketed here. Also, a lot of Californians came here and offered landlords more money for the same homes that Nevadans want to rent, and that screwed us up as well. Your laws over are destroying the state, but it destroys the rest of the west, and to some degree the South as well. And in some cases, Californians who escaped the state, because of crime and homelessness and many other problems, are now trying to change our laws as well. And I am not a "Red" nor "Blue", but our laws, regardless if they were red or blue, here comes the Californian and they're trying and sometimes able to change to your own laws, very far left laws, we don't want this shit! We want to live our lives, not someone else's lives. So yes, people are still moving to California, but it doesn't really impact your day to day lives, it's more your politicians and laws, and you bring it to other states. I highly doubt that someone moving from TX, or FL will try to change your laws over there.
@@NoamTheGOAT50 maybe that's true in some cases but a lot of Californians like myself can't afford to buy multiple homes and homes are expensive everywhere right now because of inflation. I live in one of the cheapest cities in California (Bakersfield) and one of the reasons why Bakersfield is becoming to be too expensive is because people are leaving Los Angeles for Bakersfield. Bakersfield is a normal city with mostly right leaning folks who are now leaving to other states because there's no point in being here. It's becoming too crowded, the ocean in hours away, we have triple digit heat during the summers... It's not the California that people invision here when they think California. Sure, maybe people from places like Texas aren't screwing things up, but how about the liberals from states like Maine? How about the large Asian population here that typically votes blue? How about the large Hispanic population?
Never had any problems myself when there. People were just fine. Polite hospitable and helpful. While I did see the iffy crowd, never had any questionable interactions with anyone. Overall, I would be there tomorrow if possible.
We have been there many times over the years, Billings is turning into San Francisco, Homeless people, Prostitutes, yeah its not a safe town at night, they try to hide that fact as best they can, avoid Billings,,,,
Just discovered your channel after watching several similar types of videos exploring the US. I dig you humor and style and allround look on a town. Cheers from Norway, someone who's never crossed the pond.
10:20 places with overall high well-being often have high rates of suicide because when something is going poorly in your life, it’s easier to believe there’s something wrong with you.
I heard Missoula is nasty now. Idk if my mother in law is exaggerating, but when she visits and reports to us on how missoula is doing she says homeless are everywhere now. They have little homeless camps in places that used to be beautiful and she never had to lock her doors but now she does cause it's really sketchy. It's really sad news to hear cause I remember feeling so safe living there and doing night walks.
Really Billings has changed with all of the people moving here but it’s still a decent place to raise a family. Not everyone is like what you saw downtown in this video
That's right! Billings, Mt is THE VERY WORSE place in the world to live!!! If you come here, just keep right on rolling! . . . . Try Denver, Salt Lake, Rapid City, Austin, Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, even Los Angelas! You're sure to find them all much more to your taste!!! Billings neither wants nor needs you. And they'll be more than happy to let you know it! = Keep Rolling!
When things get tough the people in Montana will survive. Nobody's going to give them anything. They are prepared. They have guns, trucks, and food. What do you have?
What makes people depressed in Montana is the loneliness. People get married young or they move away and go to college. If youre between 25-50 and youre single its very bleak. During he winter its dark and you can go days without seeing anyone.
That aside it's a great place to live. The police are even courteous and helpful. You blow a tire within a few seconds someone will pull over and say do you need help friend? And they will actually help you. It's amazing. It takes awhile to get used to it.
Winter weather keeps the homeless thinned out in Montana.Billings can get brutally cold.Not as bad as Havre,but nonetheless cold.Too cold to sleep in a box or tent
THere are homeless year around in Billings, as well as Prostitutes, meth heads, drug dealers, The entire city is in bad shape, unless your just wealthy, and can live where ever you want, many better choices than Billings.
David Price was my cousin who lived in Montana. Unfortunately he died several years ago. I always wanted to visit Montana but now I am 82 years old too old to go that far.
Just watched the Billings review & greatly enjoyed it. I have been an I-90 rat from Seattle to Spearfish, S.D. for most of my adult life. Just to the Black Hills & back to the coast again. But I know those places on I-90 very well. Seeing your representation of them is nostalgic for me but also seems so accurate for people who don’t know these places like I do. I’m trying in my way say you do such a good job of expressing how life is in little towns. Really like your channel & look forward to the videos. More Montana coming, I hope? Thanks Nick & Mappy
I recently spent a week or so traveling through Montana for the first time ever, and it was amazing. I did bypass Billings but I went through Kalispell, Bozeman, and Big Sky. Beautiful scenery and friendly, down home folks. Thanks Nick, your commentary is always hugely entertaining and informative!
I just finished doing the exact same thing last month. I drove through Missoula, Kalispell, Helena, Bozeman, and Billings. I also drove through Wyoming. Beautiful states. My girlfriend and I are looking to move to Wyoming or Montana next year from Texas.
imagine doing a great west tour and not including Kalispell/Whitefish. The fastest growing area of Montana and arguably one of the best places in the entire country.
I spoke to my Aunt in Arizona and she was telling me that the homeless problem in her state is getting worse. She saw Homeless people on the sidewalks and the parks. She blames it on California for not fixing their act and a lot of the homeless people went to other states. I can see why this is getting worse because the Homeless are spreading to other states. I even saw a few homeless people in my state Georgia when I was going to Wal-Mart.
Arizona has people flooding in from the southern border yet she still found a way to blame it on Californians. People from all over the country are flocking to Arizona.
I work with the homeless in the state of California, all the other states, and countries of Canada and Mexico dumps their homeless in this welfare state. I've had ppl from Ohio, Georgia Indiana, North Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Florida and New York. Its a nationwide problem and we have an open border problem. Its just bad governance from both parties. We didn't all of a sudden have a shortage of housing, the cost of living increased, automation of jobs without retraining, legalization of THC, influx of illegals cheap labor replacing American workers, the Plandemic created this problem.
Dear Nick. Before I watch this I must tell you this. MANY of we Montanas would like to draw a line straight up from BLGS to Canada and have there be 2 Montanas, eastern and western. So many California folk have taken over our state XXcept east. Yes there is an eastern part with sage brush and prairie as far as the eye can see across the BIG SKY.. It is like two different states. In your Cody video you said Montana ain't Montana any more and you got that right. THANKS for your work. It gives us all s great idea of what is out there. Thank you
It's the same way in Oregon too. There are very much 2 Oregon's. East of the Cascades except maybe the Bend area, plus maybe south of Eugene, and west of the Cascades. The eastern part of the state has even voted to be part of Idaho. I really don't know if that will ever come to pass, but I guess they figure it's worth a try.
Your description of Eastern Montana that hasn't been tarnished by Californication is described by you as having sagebrush and prairie. That, Madam, does not sound enticing in the least bit. It sounds like a wildfire waiting to happen. Good thing I brought my Californication to Central Montana 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
I was in Billings for two weeks, about 35 years ago. My 25 year old self immediately noticed two things. One being the seemingly magical lack of traffic, and secondly the cleanliness. Both of these characteristics seem to be true today. If you watch the videos, for the amount of commercial buildings in the area, the traffic is sparce. I remember "rush hour" was that I could maybe see three other cars in my vicinity, no matter where I was. And the streets and sidewalks were clean, too. I stayed in some kind of motel where you could just open the door and walk to your car, but I'm not sure if it was the one in the video or not. But either way, the atmosphere there was just fine as well. I left that city thinking it was probably the best city I'd ever been too, and I still think about it often after all these years. I'm from the filthy hell hole known as the Milwaukee area, so Billings looked like a fantasy world to me in comparison. As soon as the liberals show up, destruction is very soon to follow. They destroy everything they can, like a swarm of locusts.
Oh I don’t know. Born and raised in Billings and there are liberals here, I’m one of them. There are many liberals that love this city and many Republicans who hate it.
Unfortunately I hear up there is a new threat besides liberals, middle easterners! (I prefer the term progressive as it implies "Progressive Implementation Of Communism".)
Everyone knows booze promotes violence and it makes people smell ...LOL...tears up their insides, wrinkles skin, prematurely...Nobody blames weed anymore. Reality bites. Can u say dispensary ???
Now days, you really have to NEED welfare to get it. Where ya been ???? Tis' 2023. How about all these old farts that collect disability cause they're old. Most aren't actually disabled, yet they pull it off. Some have plenty of $$ yet still collect disability. 😡
Hi Nick, Great Video Sir, Did You Hear About The Explosion at world’s largest railyard in Nebraska prompts evacuations because of heavy toxic smoke, The World Is Scary No Matter Where You Live, But Like Minded Seem To Stick Together!
Hey Nick , I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now. I love your aura and how you have the balls to cruise through some of the most dangerous places and stop (in a lot of cases) and strike a conversation with people. I personally think there’s a part of you that has been on a darker side of things. I’ve done tons of drugs and lives through the 80’s partying with bands and have been locked up several times and met a LOT of interesting characters but, the main reason I’m commenting is.. I noticed something about you . The best way I am say it is. I think you’re like the Theo Von of mapping the country 😂. You just seem to have that vibe and it dawned on me the other day. Take that as mad respect, it’s an honor.
Any place in Montana is the worst when your car is broke down, you only have enough money to buy a tank of gas, you are hungry and all you see are wealthy people with new cars. I once gave my last 20 bucks to a lady that needed something to eat when she was stranded at Home Depot. She explained her situation to me. I was not a mechanic, but offered to take a look at her vehicle. Could not help her, but called a garage for advice. I stuck around a while as we located a stranger that might be able to help. We were there a couple hours. Got her started somehow. She thanked all of us for helping. I cried all the way home, feeling sorry for this lady, knowing I have been so close to being in her situation. Montana gets more undesireable every year as $$$ makes prices outrageous to live here.
Really hoping you do a video on Bozeman to get your perspective. That college-centric place struck me as emblematic of everything gone wrong in the rapid expansion of a laid-back mountain town, which has the double-edged sword of being within striking distance of Yellowstone. Tons of people want to move there, and there's plenty of space to build on, but what's going up are these incongruent, pricey, 3-story, "mountain view" apartment complexes crammed into a tiny plot of land sitting just off the highway. It just seems so depressing to have that kind of cookie-cutter, monochromatic density in such an expansive area. Also the clash of old-timey cowboy with latte soy-boy sensitivity is no bueno. Montana is the next Colorado.
@@scottboettcher Yep, that's kind of the vibe I was picking up. I look at that kind of place and just think "uggg..." There are places that are repulsive because they're trashed dumpster fires, and then there are places that are repulsive because they're cashing in on an idyllic vision in a superficial way. I guess the key with that is, if it's popular, go somewhere else. Denver anyone?
@@margaretthatcher6828 I don't think there's any way Bozeman the geographical spot would ever not be considered beautiful. Hence the cynical exploitation by people just wanting to make a buck off of the allure.
So grateful you are able to let us see all the urban blight. If it weren't for you majority of us would never know. Thanks again. Love the way you let us ride with you on these trips. 😊❤❤😮
Your the best at what your doing I’m im thankful for being able to watch your videos. I literally live vicariously through you. Your my travel agent for real 😂
I lived in E. Montana many years ago, and I remember downtown Billings on weekends was party central. Kinda crazy, but at that time, I was into it so it was a lot of fun.
It's always interesting to hear of places that are big Trump voters considering Trump is from New York City, doesn't drink, shoot guns, drive a pickup, wear jeans, or really have anything in common with the lifestyle of the people that are his biggest supporters. Of course, big city-oriented Democrats don't have much in common with these more rural places either.
Don't you see how all the elites and politicians hate him?? People realize if the Hollywood Elite and career politicians hate him then he's got to be doing something right! I've wondered since 2015 how you watch your CNN, and read LA Times and Twitter censoring him etc etc is too why you guys can't read between the lines?? Blows my mind
@@Dangic23Trump actually cares about people. Turn off CNN and actually learn. Trump also represents freedom. Yes he doesnt shoot guns but he will defend our rights in Montana to own them!!!!
I was thinking of moving to Billings and so blessed to have found your video. You just saved me a whole lot of headache and heartache. Bless your heart ❤️
Many of the towns are bleek, especially the large towns like Butte, Missoula, Kalispell, Great Falls buy once you drive out of them ,the rest of the state is beautiful.
2:00 love this!! Instantly brings me back to childhood! Laugh at me Nick. I started playing this video as soon as I brought up YT without realizing what channel it is. As soon as you started talking I said to myself "that sounds like Nick Johnson" LOL
I thought Billings was better than Butte when I drove across Montana in June. Butte has better mountain scenery though but its downtown section is extremely seedy. Billings is at the edge of the plains--sort of like Cheyenne.
Hey Nick, in Great Falls, I get monthly letters wanting realtors to sell my home at top dollar. Homes that are not the best in condition and size are going for 200K. Lots of Californians are moving into Great Falls. Houses only last about a week on the market.
Sounds about right. Great Falls is honestly pretty nice. It actually reminds me of Billings a little bit. However, I've heard the joke among Montanans is that Great Falls should really be called Mediocre Falls. Lol.
I stayed in Cooke City back in June and was talking to someone who use to live in Billings. She said the winters weren’t real bad there which was surprising. Now Cooke City is a different story since they’re in the mountains, I seen snow blowers on top of roofs, lol.
I live in nw montana. Love all 4 seasons. Now that I'm retired I can't afford it, so I'm heading south, waaay south. Far enough to not get too hot. By the way, ALL the worlds nukes are in the northern hemisphere. Just sayin.
I like the way you do your research, and give the statistics in your posts. Also, what's it actually like, when in these towns and cities, in person...not just the videos. Thank you for that !
I've been in Montana 32 years and don't care for Billings or Butte. I'm not a socialite because people oeither make our brake a place. And there's a lot of broken places. Nature is pure when it's untouched by humans. The most dangerous unpredictable animal on the planet is the human. And any place where guns, liquor ( that's a drug), and gambling are the top 3 items for enjoyment, your looking at trouble. That's a fact. I trust the bears ,wolves, mountain lions, and the rest of the 4 footers. But not humans.
That kind of gambling very bad.. I can safely assume that payout is extremely low, as they don't generate enough $$$ to pay out people good. Better off going to vegas, instead of wasting money on any of those machines.
The average house is way more than $150-200K. That would be a shit shack in a bad neighborhood. An average decent house in a decent neighborhood is probably more like $300-350K.
Moved to Billings in 1990 and stayed for 30 years. West end property taxes and crime and drugs drove me out. Started to never go out at night without a sidearm. Homelessness is off the hook and the city building dept is anti business. But as bad as things are and have gotten in 30 years, its sad to compare how prosperous the town once was
I grew up near Billings, and downtown and the southside was always a mess. If anything I'd actually say it's better than it was when I was growing up there. Doesn't mean it's good by any means, but I'd probably argue Butte is worse than Billings.
Next time Nick I will show you small town eastern Montana where things are very different. Wish you could have seen more of our state. Thanks for coming!
It’s just sad that unregulated corporations, monopolies, and institutional investors have pushed up all the pricing and have bought up everything affordable. Greed is reaping rewards. As far as homeless, no one will fix it. It’s a state of the cost of living and people checking out. Drugs are spread around by the people creating a lot of the problems. Started in the 80’s with that leadership and continued. We all have to come together to find solutions. The whole country is being affected. Being divided does not help.
Oh man, I was hoping you would give us a peek of the inside of the Casino floor at the Bourbon street Hotel/Casino. I'm sure that would have been a treat!
You said it right, 'can you believe any of them', yep. And yes, the legal weed is the beginning of the end as the scourge moves in, and we'll fight like the dickens to keep that out of Wyoming.
Here's my entire Mountain West Road Trip Playlist: ruclips.net/p/PLq-_cmf3H6yq836p_Frch75GtIGQXn-AX&si=cxlTrIp886YzHBsR
Thanks it was quite entertaining!
You are my #1 favorite traveling RUclips channel and a huge inspiration as a small RUclips channel.
How about growing a real mustache?!
hey there nick... thanks for the more or less accurate overview of billings 2023... i just hope it doesn't get like those other big cities in america...
I'm sorry I only found this channel now. This is great, thank you.
I was coming home through Billings on leave in the military, my truck broke down and the generosity given to me by Billings residence will never be forgotten. Billings holds a special place in my heart forever.
I lived in Wyoming for about 40 years. The last time I was there was 2008. I worked in corrections for awhile. Drugs and alcohol were most definitely problems in every place I lived or even visited. You don't see the massive problems with homelessness that many other areas because its just too cold in the winter.
Isn't Oregon cold yet has a homeless crisis
@@westmax8491 Wyoming has a much higher elevation and has much colder winters. I recall one year where it never got above zero for over a month, and the wind continuously blows, making wind chill much worse. There's a huge difference between being cold and being freezing cold. Wyoming also has low populations, so there aren't the massive numbers of homeless folks there.
@@jcc9925 my daughter and her husband moved to Michigan for good jobs. I sold my house and moved too. I miss the scenery, but sure don't miss the winters, the wind or the rednecks.
@@westmax8491 its a matter of degree. Places like Portland, Seattle certainly aren't balmy, but they're nowhere anywhere close to as cold as WY or MT, I lived in both and even the rainiest day in Portland doesn't compare with the continuous onslaught of cold wind I had to endure in Wyoming and Eastern Montana. Plus, the populations of these places are way less, so you'll see fewer homeless even if the percentage is similar. (math)
Most of the homeless seem to end up in California for weather, dope and free stuff.
You are the embodiment of what my channel would be - IF I were brave enough to actually post all of my roadtrip adventures. This introvert can’t handle that kind of exposure, though - so I watch your videos and cheer you on! ❤
Aww ❤️❤️👍 Angela 😁
@@NickJohnson. Yea that was so sweet from Angela. Love u too Nick.
@lorrie5881 plus to many good memories with too many witnesses , 😎.
@@NickJohnson I BELIEVE NICK & MAPPY WILL ALWAYS BE TOGETHER. MAPPY IS NICKYS 'ROCK' TO LEAN ON
You can do it!
Billings, Montana...???!!! Noooo...!!! 😢
Nick, as much as I enjoy & appreciate your wide-ranging lens on America (& especially knowing that there are still areas of hope & prosperity), seeing the demise of this beautiful nation is beginning to feel more & more like watching an autopsy in slow motion.
VERY grateful that y'all are pulling back the curtain to let us observe the implosion, but at the same time, it's absolutely heartbreaking. Somehow, the light at the end of the tunnel is looking more & more like a train.
But I said it isn't that bad Sara!
@@NickJohnson Maybe...Montana is one of this country's last best hopes (and not just because of the bad weather).
Hopeful that Winston Churchill's words prove to be true. Again: "You can trust the Americans to do the right thing, after they've tried everything else."
Billings is mild compared to the big cities in other states.
Billings is MILD compared to other cities.
Have you agree with this 100%. At this point, if you're looking to move somewhere to get away from all the jank, you gotta find the places people are NOT running to. Then maybe you can be free of it for the next 20-40 years. It's a disease, and unfortunately most of that disease is comprised of ex-Californians and we're coming to ruin your state and force it to vote Democrat for the next several generations. I wish what I was saying wasn't true, but unfortunately it is.
Just wanted to say with all the craziness in this world, your videos bring me joy and it’s much appreciated!!!! You’ve got your own thing going on and you’re not scared to speak the truth. Well done!!
Love Nicks videos! & dont forget about Mappy!
so true he is down to earth, honest ad also fun and entertaining.
Its always been crazy. Just that now you can know about everything via your ohine.
We moved to Billings in 1976. I graduated Billings Senior in 1984. I moved away from Billings, and back again several times over the years. I moved out of Billings for the last time in 2004, I have been back maybe 8 times in 19 years. I don't miss the long hours, and low pay! When my mother passes away, I most likely will not make it back to Billings ever.
was born and raised just blocks from the giant Kelly Tire statue. Billings has a special place in my heart and I never considered it a bad place. I feel for the indigenous people. They try to cling to their traditions and values but it doesn't mix well with todays society. Everything went bad when they legalized the gambling.
Nice, My dad managed the Safeway in Billings on Fist Ave (which is now a Fastenal) from around 68-72. when I was pre-kindergarten, I always loved when we would drive by there and I could see that big statue. I am surprised it is still there. I miss West Park Plaza and Village Inn Pizza. I was actually in Billings 2 weeks ago for a car show. It is bad, but not as bad as most places, I would live there again if I had to.
In Montana a wile back,lik e the people outa town I farm so we get along gambling is a blight in the state. Went out side to have a smoke,5 or 6 people were trying to bum some change looking up the street bout all gambling dens. To bad the politicians couldn't find a way to finance the state without victomizeing the helpless.
Yep its a shame they did that, Billings went down hill after that, lots of homeless, Druggie types, all over Billings, not a good place to live anymore.
Its midnight in Montana and I can't get my rooster out of this cow.
Mostly white people in the casino's not Natives @@blackcherry6877
Nick very well done! Love this channel! As for all of the people moving to Billings, not to worry after a couple of winters most will be moving back to CA. Those winters are long and hard and require determination.
and money
I'm guessing the winters in Sweden, Minneapolis and Dearborn aren't hard enough then???
I was born and raised in Montana and we have always had an abundance of cheap track homes, trailer houses, manufactured homes. Why? Because when you see the "good jobs" are $50K, those are the people who can afford real houses. There are probably 10 to 1 making around $20-30K. Those are the ones that can afford the manufactured homes.
I mean anyone with a computer can work from home these Days and make over $50 G's per Year, easily.
PLease give some examples and details Jack.@@jackwilliams5474
Be nice with the 800 billion in the past 3 years squandered or let stolen from the Govt., that they would do something about this monetary division.
Those jobs are scarce in Montana..housing is an issue in most towns..big or small. Little cracker box houses are going for 3 and 400 thousand. @@jackwilliams5474
@@jackwilliams5474So what pays $50,000 per year sitting at home using a computer? Can a low IQ high school dropout learn the computer skills needed to make that kind of money?
I saw a survey that said San Francisco is the happiest city in the U.S.! I’m not sure if they are more happy with the bums crapping on the streets or the criminals robbing their stores, forcing them to close! So, like the surveys about Billings, you can’t always believe what you read.
why do you guys bring up california soooo much
@@virginiansupremacyprobably the same reason Nick brings up guns, trucks and rednecks on almost every video that he does in rural America .
Well said
@@virginiansupremacyI don’t talk about it but I’ve never been. But I imagine it’s because it’s been held as the gold standard for American living for so long. But what do I know lol
@@jimmonade Yes, it was the gold standard. I spent 3 days in SF then 7 in northern CA in the late 90's it was still nice. If we go father than just to the lake we go to Utah the last 3 years.
Anyone who thinks Billings is the worst place to live in Montana has never been to Browning. There's nothing quite like traversing the spiritually majestic Glacier Park and then being spit out the other side of the mountains into the hellscape of Browning. To be fair, there's a lonely, desolate kind of beauty to the land around Browning, but the town itself is nothing short of horrifying.
I was going to mention Browning! We went through there a few years ago. Quite depressing, and my first thought was, how do these people survive winter? Addiction seems to be rampant, such a sad state of affairs.
Yep. I lived a couple hours away from Browning. Had to drive through it to get to Glacier Park. Absolute pit of a town.
Well written description! You have a way with words... 😉
@@sbeers88 my wife grew up in malta, so we’ve been back and forth plenty. A lot of those small towns on the high line are struggling, but browning is just miserable in every possible way. My sister in law’s sister worked as a nurse in the hospital in Browning, and there were nights their ICU would rival one in any major city. Car accidents, assaults, attempted suicides, overdoses, etc. She’s not a weak person, but she burned out in 6 months.
Yeah, the hi-line is struggling for sure. Not much opportunity there outside of farming and ranching. I left Montana years ago ad now live in Japan. It's a shame because MT is a great state. @@kevinspilker6622
Remember kids, alcoholic can also destroys one's life.
So can ALCOHOL.
Everyone is polite when everyone is armed
Completely incorrect statement.
It means civil society does not exist. Almost anarchist.
Japan doesn’t even carry knives.
Most polite people on Earth.
@@markbeames7852not in Jpan even slapin someone get you arested and suspect in any crime is held for 3 weeks while cops investigate,99% conviction rate there,inocent rather admit theyre guilty instead of siting in cage 😊
@@Dangic23Chinese are just as polite friendly contrary to our Gov tryin to demonize the place,,see LIVING in China chanel or KING KWESI or Rafa goes around. Cops in China dont even have guns 😊
@@Dangic23 That’s because they’re Japanese. Race is real.
@@Uhtred772
Civil society is real.
When normal life is inculcated into a society for generations , you get a civil society.
In the US, we are a warring country, only had 17 years of peace since 1776.
That’s our culture.
Nick i just love your sense of humor!❤ Thanks for going traveling for us.
I loved my time in Billings. The Yellowstone River is beautiful and the Rims are amazing. Yes, the Native Americans are often times drunk and not too disorderly most of the time.
Billings has a lot of young people and they have their nighttime hangouts. I had so many friendly interactions with the locals. My hotel stay was beautiful and the food around various eateries were excellent.
Every town has low income housing. You buy what you can afford.
Winters are brutal. Most of the people here are hard working folks whom love nature.
The bars are filled with lots of drunk white people as well...DUH. At least the Indians are funny. Drunk white people are a pain in the arse.
The indigenous have a larger drinking, crime,
unemployment problem because the Gummint
give them free money and don't require work ethics.
The same thing happened with Wuhan (merely
Asian flu) thing. And THAT is why the entire
country has moved in that direction.
That was the only bad part about it was the winters. It was like living in Siberia. Summers oddly enough were very hot.
@@CalmChaosCurrent North Dakota takes the cake on that.
The natives aren’t homeless here. They’re nomadic by nature and will comfortably sleep anywhere. Many just choose to not go home. Most of the natives here are good people. Not crack heads. The dispensaries here haven’t attracted a bad element. They’ve attracted money for our community. Slot machines aren’t legal here. You didn’t see one slot machine anywhere 🙄
I live and work in Wyoming but work for a delivery company headquartered in Billings. Been there more times than I can count and never had a single problem. Billings is actually a really friendly town.
i love the style of narration. funny side comments thrown in
I have lived in Montana all my 80 years and am now facing moving to St Louis area. Don't want to leave, I live in Great Falls and love it. Give me the open range and blue Skys and I am happy. Yes our winters are long but we manage to entertain our self and no we don't drink or gamble as long as the library has books I am happy.
This looks so much better than the places you usually go to. This place isn't even scary.
We have more shootings per capita than LA....don't be fooled by the scenery
doubtful@@Word2theM
True dat
@@Word2theM "shootings" is a subjective word.
I'm from CA yes we have issues here, but that does not make us all bad people. I have family in MT and we visit every year. I personally love it and would move back in a heart beat. I will say I am seeing more homeless and yes drugs, breaks my heart to see this in Billings.
All of us Californian's are evil, plotting to invade Montana like Vikings to hear Montanans tell it 😂
I moved to Montana 3 years ago from California. Got shunned my first two years here by the towns people. Once they realized that how they chose to perceive me was their problem and that I truly didn't care, they got over themselves.
Billings Montana shocked me. I saw people circling up at a fast food parking lot using needles in broad daylight. Then went to a local grocery store and drunk homeless begged for help. It was a nightmare.
thank you Captain Obvious, but I lived in San Francisco 20 years ago and never saw that, so why is it ok now?@@MissCleo24
Yes indeed Billings is getting much worse, years ago you would never see that stuff going on, now homeless people are showing up daily, street Prostitutes,Drug dealers, and very aggressive bums and pan handlers are all over, we got followed by by these people that kept wanting us to buy " Some thing ", and as we came out of the Restaurant, The Cops had two guys on the ground in the Parking Lot that were breaking into cars! Its a shame, the city has gone down hill so quickly.
Sounds like Seattle!
Drugs, alcohol and homelessness are an issue in every place I have lived, from small towns to cities
I'm a Home Health Aid and I travel all over Billings to visit folks. The city is really spread out and some part such as Blue Creek and neighborhoods near the Rimrocks are really beautiful. I came from SF originally and I couldn't wait to leave that place. The quality of life is better and you don't have to dodge poop unless you're near a ranch or at a rodeo.
I live in Missoula & the reasons it's a bit liberal and crazy like Bozeman, is because they are University cities.
I feel like a goob watching myself. lol I'm glad I did this on the interview. Thanks Nick. Glad you mentioned the hairspray I told you about. lol
Chad!!! Keep in touch!!! ❤️❤️thanks for all the help!
As a NW Wyoming resident, I've visited Billings many times over the years. I would not agree that Billings is the 'worst' place to live in Montana. Go to Denver if you want to see bad.
Montana is my old, stomping ground. I lived there back in 1992-98. It's God's country, for sure. I also watched Californians, but up, many of older homes, in the most smallest of towns, old mining towns, and they made it unaffordable for the locals. Locals had to move to wherever they could find a place. They were a displaced people. Big money, Californians, introduction of meth and crack, bought politicians, have ruined Montana.
I'm from Reno NV and them Californians ruined NV as well. They get offended when Nevadans tell them to go back to California.
And do you really think that us Californians aren't also displaced? People from all over the world move here and have been forever. People are moving out of where they have lived all their life because where they live has become to be too expensive. Even in the bad parts of California it is expensive now and the quality of life isn't good because there isn't much to do and people want to get away from the insanity that is California. Who ruined California? We used to be a red state. Should we also blame the influx of people that came here from all over the world?
@@kassie4426 the problem is, at least in the Reno NV case, a lot of you Californians come here, buy multiple houses, for cash and for more than what they're worth, and that is how the cost of living has skyrocketed here. Also, a lot of Californians came here and offered landlords more money for the same homes that Nevadans want to rent, and that screwed us up as well. Your laws over are destroying the state, but it destroys the rest of the west, and to some degree the South as well. And in some cases, Californians who escaped the state, because of crime and homelessness and many other problems, are now trying to change our laws as well. And I am not a "Red" nor "Blue", but our laws, regardless if they were red or blue, here comes the Californian and they're trying and sometimes able to change to your own laws, very far left laws, we don't want this shit! We want to live our lives, not someone else's lives.
So yes, people are still moving to California, but it doesn't really impact your day to day lives, it's more your politicians and laws, and you bring it to other states. I highly doubt that someone moving from TX, or FL will try to change your laws over there.
@@kassie4426isn’t die-versity great!
@@NoamTheGOAT50 maybe that's true in some cases but a lot of Californians like myself can't afford to buy multiple homes and homes are expensive everywhere right now because of inflation. I live in one of the cheapest cities in California (Bakersfield) and one of the reasons why Bakersfield is becoming to be too expensive is because people are leaving Los Angeles for Bakersfield. Bakersfield is a normal city with mostly right leaning folks who are now leaving to other states because there's no point in being here. It's becoming too crowded, the ocean in hours away, we have triple digit heat during the summers... It's not the California that people invision here when they think California. Sure, maybe people from places like Texas aren't screwing things up, but how about the liberals from states like Maine? How about the large Asian population here that typically votes blue? How about the large Hispanic population?
Nick, due to health issues I can't travel at the current time. You sir,, fulfill my bucket list!! Thank you sir!!!
Ok Mike!
Never had any problems myself when there. People were just fine. Polite hospitable and helpful. While I did see the iffy crowd, never had any questionable interactions with anyone. Overall, I would be there tomorrow if possible.
We have been there many times over the years, Billings is turning into San Francisco, Homeless people, Prostitutes, yeah its not a safe town at night, they try to hide that fact as best they can, avoid Billings,,,,
I'm east of there in North Dakota, and I like Montana as well.@@blackcherry6877
You mentioned all the pickup trucks in Billings, but just looking at your video footage, I also saw a lot of Subarus!
Yeah, last time I was in Bozeman I think about 75% of the vehicles were Outbacks, far more than trucks.
This is heaven, compared to some cities in California and New York states .
And this, NY and California are the paradise compared with Latin American cities.
@@NicholasIG nobody cares
@@mattchristensen9424I care you care clearly you replied to him
@@mattchristensen9424 Ok bro, nice attitude.
Very Montana-like brainless comment.
😂
Love this channel, keep up the great work and commentary 👌
Nick Johnson: the master of blowing through red lights!
Yeah, don't move when the light turns green until you make sure nobody ran a red light 🙃
Just discovered your channel after watching several similar types of videos exploring the US. I dig you humor and style and allround look on a town. Cheers from Norway, someone who's never crossed the pond.
10:20 places with overall high well-being often have high rates of suicide because when something is going poorly in your life, it’s easier to believe there’s something wrong with you.
I heard Missoula is nasty now. Idk if my mother in law is exaggerating, but when she visits and reports to us on how missoula is doing she says homeless are everywhere now. They have little homeless camps in places that used to be beautiful and she never had to lock her doors but now she does cause it's really sketchy. It's really sad news to hear cause I remember feeling so safe living there and doing night walks.
I live in missoula. Liberals have destroyed this city.
It’s turned to shit. In 20 years U of Montana has destroyed itself by catering to worthless leftist studies and the money shifted to Bozeman.
It's true. It's really bad all over Montana actually.
It’s not safe anymore. Lots of homeless. Illegals are coming in, lots of panhandling.
Really Billings has changed with all of the people moving here but it’s still a decent place to raise a family. Not everyone is like what you saw downtown in this video
In the worst spots...in every town look nasty.
Shhhhhhh
Really enjoyed your video Thank you for posting it !!!
That's right! Billings, Mt is THE VERY WORSE place in the world to live!!! If you come here, just keep right on rolling! . . . . Try Denver, Salt Lake, Rapid City, Austin, Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, even Los Angelas! You're sure to find them all much more to your taste!!! Billings neither wants nor needs you. And they'll be more than happy to let you know it! = Keep Rolling!
I agree! It's not the homeless thats the problem .It's the rich out of staters.
🤣 you missed CHICAGO^*
👏🏽👏🏽
When things get tough the people in Montana will survive. Nobody's going to give them anything. They are prepared. They have guns, trucks, and food. What do you have?
i have been watching this channel grow from the beginning. This guy just gets better with time!
What makes people depressed in Montana is the loneliness. People get married young or they move away and go to college. If youre between 25-50 and youre single its very bleak. During he winter its dark and you can go days without seeing anyone.
That aside it's a great place to live. The police are even courteous and helpful. You blow a tire within a few seconds someone will pull over and say do you need help friend? And they will actually help you. It's amazing. It takes awhile to get used to it.
Winter weather keeps the homeless thinned out in Montana.Billings can get brutally cold.Not as bad as Havre,but nonetheless cold.Too cold to sleep in a box or tent
THere are homeless year around in Billings, as well as Prostitutes, meth heads, drug dealers, The entire city is in bad shape, unless your just wealthy, and can live where ever you want, many better choices than Billings.
I grew up just south of Havre. Yeah, Montana winters are brutal.
send them to tucson arizona. now child smash and grab is becoming big business. punch out momma grab the kid and speed off.
Yeah I am on the lookout for a scammer from Havre...It's gonna be 👍
David Price was my cousin who lived in Montana. Unfortunately he died several years ago. I always wanted to visit Montana but now I am 82 years old too old to go that far.
Just watched the Billings review & greatly enjoyed it. I have been an I-90 rat from Seattle to Spearfish, S.D. for most of my adult life. Just to the Black Hills & back to the coast again. But I know those places on I-90 very well. Seeing your representation of them is nostalgic for me but also seems so accurate for people who don’t know these places like I do. I’m trying in my way say you do such a good job of expressing how life is in little towns. Really like your channel & look forward to the videos. More Montana coming, I hope? Thanks Nick & Mappy
Mappy is a very underrated part of the videos, he really brings a lot to the table!!! lol
I recently spent a week or so traveling through Montana for the first time ever, and it was amazing. I did bypass Billings but I went through Kalispell, Bozeman, and Big Sky. Beautiful scenery and friendly, down home folks. Thanks Nick, your commentary is always hugely entertaining and informative!
I just finished doing the exact same thing last month. I drove through Missoula, Kalispell, Helena, Bozeman, and Billings. I also drove through Wyoming. Beautiful states. My girlfriend and I are looking to move to Wyoming or Montana next year from Texas.
imagine doing a great west tour and not including Kalispell/Whitefish. The fastest growing area of Montana and arguably one of the best places in the entire country.
Always good when you pass by these mountain States.
Living in there is miserable.
CO is the only good one.
@@mattdarwin6497 We may have passed each other! I wish you both all the best in finding your new home! 😁
I visited Big Sky, Whitefish, Kalispell and Bozeman. Absolutely beautiful state. Mountains, lakes, forest for miles on end. Loved it.
I spoke to my Aunt in Arizona and she was telling me that the homeless problem in her state is getting worse. She saw Homeless people on the sidewalks and the parks. She blames it on California for not fixing their act and a lot of the homeless people went to other states. I can see why this is getting worse because the Homeless are spreading to other states. I even saw a few homeless people in my state Georgia when I was going to Wal-Mart.
Arizona has people flooding in from the southern border yet she still found a way to blame it on Californians. People from all over the country are flocking to Arizona.
I was in Atlanta a few years ago and so hundreds of homeless in the streets and under bridges.
It is very bad in both Tucson and Phoenix. Tent cities on any open land near Tucson or in the arroyos.
1000 per day coming to Tucson. Send them all to California and Washington DC and Delaware
I work with the homeless in the state of California, all the other states, and countries of Canada and Mexico dumps their homeless in this welfare state. I've had ppl from Ohio, Georgia Indiana, North Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, Nevada, Illinois, Florida and New York. Its a nationwide problem and we have an open border problem. Its just bad governance from both parties. We didn't all of a sudden have a shortage of housing, the cost of living increased, automation of jobs without retraining, legalization of THC, influx of illegals cheap labor replacing American workers, the Plandemic created this problem.
Dear Nick. Before I watch this I must tell you this. MANY of we Montanas would like to draw a line straight up from BLGS to Canada and have there be 2 Montanas, eastern and western. So many California folk have taken over our state XXcept east. Yes there is an eastern part with sage brush and prairie as far as the eye can see across the BIG SKY.. It is like two different states. In your Cody video you said Montana ain't Montana any more and you got that right. THANKS for your work. It gives us all s great idea of what is out there. Thank you
100%! Even the weather is drastically different west of the divide.
It's the same way in Oregon too. There are very much 2 Oregon's. East of the Cascades except maybe the Bend area, plus maybe south of Eugene, and west of the Cascades. The eastern part of the state has even voted to be part of Idaho. I really don't know if that will ever come to pass, but I guess they figure it's worth a try.
Your description of Eastern Montana that hasn't been tarnished by Californication is described by you as having sagebrush and prairie.
That, Madam, does not sound enticing in the least bit. It sounds like a wildfire waiting to happen.
Good thing I brought my Californication to Central Montana 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@EricPSThe legislation did pass. Now just a matter of doing the work.
@@Jenn-sy5qhRather sagebrush and prairie than protected plant species drying out and causing wildfires.
I was in Billings for two weeks, about 35 years ago. My 25 year old self immediately noticed two things. One being the seemingly magical lack of traffic, and secondly the cleanliness. Both of these characteristics seem to be true today. If you watch the videos, for the amount of commercial buildings in the area, the traffic is sparce. I remember "rush hour" was that I could maybe see three other cars in my vicinity, no matter where I was. And the streets and sidewalks were clean, too. I stayed in some kind of motel where you could just open the door and walk to your car, but I'm not sure if it was the one in the video or not. But either way, the atmosphere there was just fine as well. I left that city thinking it was probably the best city I'd ever been too, and I still think about it often after all these years. I'm from the filthy hell hole known as the Milwaukee area, so Billings looked like a fantasy world to me in comparison. As soon as the liberals show up, destruction is very soon to follow. They destroy everything they can, like a swarm of locusts.
Oh I don’t know. Born and raised in Billings and there are liberals here, I’m one of them. There are many liberals that love this city and many Republicans who hate it.
@@JollyJingleJellybean Sorry Obama voter, liberal areas BY FAR are the problems in America
red states for the reddies, blue states for the bluies, self sort self sort self sort@@JollyJingleJellybean
@@JollyJingleJellybean So you're to blame for gambling and homelessness? lol par for the course.
Unfortunately I hear up there is a new threat besides liberals, middle easterners! (I prefer the term progressive as it implies "Progressive Implementation Of Communism".)
Loved the increase in production value ❤
Hey Nick, Thanks for the video, from sunny Adelaide, South Australia 😊
Montana is an absolutely beautiful place to live!♥️
lol …
I don't understand why people blame weed. It's the people who you vote for who allow these people welfare and a slap on the wrist in court.
Everyone knows booze promotes violence and it makes people smell ...LOL...tears up their insides, wrinkles skin, prematurely...Nobody blames weed anymore. Reality bites. Can u say dispensary ???
Now days, you really have to NEED welfare to get it. Where ya been ???? Tis' 2023. How about all these old farts that collect disability cause they're old. Most aren't actually disabled, yet they pull it off. Some have plenty of $$ yet still collect disability. 😡
Can always count on Nick to bring the high quality props! 💕
Hi Nick, Great Video Sir, Did You Hear About The Explosion at world’s largest railyard in Nebraska prompts evacuations because of heavy toxic smoke, The World Is Scary No Matter Where You Live, But Like Minded Seem To Stick Together!
Hey Nick , I’ve been watching your videos for a few years now.
I love your aura and how you have the balls to cruise through some of the most dangerous places and stop (in a lot of cases) and strike a conversation with people.
I personally think there’s a part of you that has been on a darker side of things.
I’ve done tons of drugs and lives through the 80’s partying with bands and have been locked up several times and met a LOT of interesting characters but, the main reason I’m commenting is.. I noticed something about you . The best way I am say it is.
I think you’re like the Theo Von of mapping the country 😂. You just seem to have that vibe and it dawned on me the other day.
Take that as mad respect, it’s an honor.
You're the best dude! The moustache addition, Hilarious! Been watching you for YEARS!!!!😂😂😂
Awesome work here as always, Nick! :)
Nice video, Nick. You are so funny 😊! Have you ever thought about doing stand up?
Any place in Montana is the worst when your car is broke down, you only have enough money to buy a tank of gas, you are hungry and all you see are wealthy people with new cars. I once gave my last 20 bucks to a lady that needed something to eat when she was stranded at Home Depot. She explained her situation to me. I was not a mechanic, but offered to take a look at her vehicle. Could not help her, but called a garage for advice. I stuck around a while as we located a stranger that might be able to help. We were there a couple hours. Got her started somehow. She thanked all of us for helping. I cried all the way home, feeling sorry for this lady, knowing I have been so close to being in her situation. Montana gets more undesireable every year as $$$ makes prices outrageous to live here.
Really hoping you do a video on Bozeman to get your perspective. That college-centric place struck me as emblematic of everything gone wrong in the rapid expansion of a laid-back mountain town, which has the double-edged sword of being within striking distance of Yellowstone. Tons of people want to move there, and there's plenty of space to build on, but what's going up are these incongruent, pricey, 3-story, "mountain view" apartment complexes crammed into a tiny plot of land sitting just off the highway. It just seems so depressing to have that kind of cookie-cutter, monochromatic density in such an expansive area. Also the clash of old-timey cowboy with latte soy-boy sensitivity is no bueno. Montana is the next Colorado.
That dense housing in Southern California are called stack and packs
i hear you, but it seems to me most folks under 40 dont have the capital or knowhow to build from scratch in the expansive open land, no?
Bozeman is hipster hell. Used to be so nice...
@@scottboettcher Yep, that's kind of the vibe I was picking up. I look at that kind of place and just think "uggg..." There are places that are repulsive because they're trashed dumpster fires, and then there are places that are repulsive because they're cashing in on an idyllic vision in a superficial way. I guess the key with that is, if it's popular, go somewhere else. Denver anyone?
@@margaretthatcher6828 I don't think there's any way Bozeman the geographical spot would ever not be considered beautiful. Hence the cynical exploitation by people just wanting to make a buck off of the allure.
So grateful you are able to let us see all the urban blight. If it weren't for you majority of us would never know. Thanks again. Love the way you let us ride with you on these trips. 😊❤❤😮
Your the best at what your doing I’m im thankful for being able to watch your videos. I literally live vicariously through you. Your my travel agent for real 😂
Aww okay! ❤️
I love Kalispell, Montana, red bow on highway to the sun to Glacier National Park, The
Beautiful Big Sky.
Glad to see your channel grow, man. Good work.
I lived in E. Montana many years ago, and I remember downtown Billings on weekends was party central. Kinda crazy, but at that time, I was into it so it was a lot of fun.
It's always interesting to hear of places that are big Trump voters considering Trump is from New York City, doesn't drink, shoot guns, drive a pickup, wear jeans, or really have anything in common with the lifestyle of the people that are his biggest supporters. Of course, big city-oriented Democrats don't have much in common with these more rural places either.
This has baffled me since Jun 2015.
Trump is everything they hate and still hate.
Elitism, donor class, snobbery, etc etc.
@@Dangic23You have no clue
Don't you see how all the elites and politicians hate him?? People realize if the Hollywood Elite and career politicians hate him then he's got to be doing something right! I've wondered since 2015 how you watch your CNN, and read LA Times and Twitter censoring him etc etc is too why you guys can't read between the lines?? Blows my mind
@@Dangic23Trump actually cares about people. Turn off CNN and actually learn. Trump also represents freedom. Yes he doesnt shoot guns but he will defend our rights in Montana to own them!!!!
Trump talks bad about the same people they talk bad about … we all know
I was thinking of moving to Billings and so blessed to have found your video. You just saved me a whole lot of headache and heartache. Bless your heart ❤️
It's not as bad as many people say it is.
Thank you for sharing this 🙏
We only go there for shopping and the hospital, but is nothing wrong with Billings people are awesome there
Montana is one of the prettiest states, but what discourges me from moving there is SSI is taxed.
SSI is only taxed unless if your income is over $25k and as far as I know SSI payments are not even close to $2000 monthly.
@@dubs3432 My SSI will be higher than that.
Many of the towns are bleek, especially the large towns like Butte, Missoula, Kalispell, Great Falls buy once you drive out of them ,the rest of the state is beautiful.
2:00 love this!! Instantly brings me back to childhood!
Laugh at me Nick. I started playing this video as soon as I brought up YT without realizing what channel it is. As soon as you started talking I said to myself "that sounds like Nick Johnson" LOL
I thought Billings was better than Butte when I drove across Montana in June. Butte has better mountain scenery though but its downtown section is extremely seedy. Billings is at the edge of the plains--sort of like Cheyenne.
Billings is very Seedy, for sure, Lots of Prostitutes, Drug Dealers, Bums, its getting worse in Billings.
Butte has a literal pit. It is a pit.
Billings didn't look bad in the middle of the day but I suppose on Saturday night things might be different.@@brooksbrown580
Butte is a hell hole. I was actually shocked that he didn't go to Butte for this video. Butte is generally regarded by most Montanans as being a dump.
am a new guy to America, you gave me alots information that I never even thought of. great job!!! thank you.
Hey Nick, in Great Falls, I get monthly letters wanting realtors to sell my home at top dollar. Homes that are not the best in condition and size are going for 200K. Lots of Californians are moving into Great Falls. Houses only last about a week on the market.
Most of the Californians will bail after the first winter there lol
Sounds about right. Great Falls is honestly pretty nice. It actually reminds me of Billings a little bit. However, I've heard the joke among Montanans is that Great Falls should really be called Mediocre Falls. Lol.
lol@@97I30T
Absolutely LOVE ❤ your RUclips vids, Nick. Been a subscriber and fan for quite a while.
Keep up the good work.
Vera 😘
Imagine the winters...no way
that'd be my main reason for loving it lol
I stayed in Cooke City back in June and was talking to someone who use to live in Billings. She said the winters weren’t real bad there which was surprising. Now Cooke City is a different story since they’re in the mountains, I seen snow blowers on top of roofs, lol.
Dress well. In Bemidji, MN, I just paid $700/yr to make sure my driveway was professionally cleaned.
This area shouldn’t be populated.
I live in nw montana. Love all 4 seasons. Now that I'm retired I can't afford it, so I'm heading south, waaay south. Far enough to not get too hot. By the way, ALL the worlds nukes are in the northern hemisphere. Just sayin.
I like the way you do your research, and give the statistics in your posts.
Also, what's it actually like, when in these towns and cities, in person...not just the videos.
Thank you for that !
Ok Vera!
I've been in Montana 32 years and don't care for Billings or Butte. I'm not a socialite because people oeither make our brake a place. And there's a lot of broken places. Nature is pure when it's untouched by humans. The most dangerous unpredictable animal on the planet is the human. And any place where guns, liquor ( that's a drug), and gambling are the top 3 items for enjoyment, your looking at trouble.
That's a fact. I trust the bears ,wolves, mountain lions, and the rest of the 4 footers. But not humans.
That kind of gambling very bad.. I can safely assume that payout is extremely low, as they don't generate enough $$$ to pay out people good. Better off going to vegas, instead of wasting money on any of those machines.
@@jcc9925then you dont travel much..I,ve lived in every major city...and 40 srates....you,d be surprised
I'll take Butte over Great Falls.
I love your sense of humor along with your approach to your content ❤ keep up the great work
The average house is way more than $150-200K. That would be a shit shack in a bad neighborhood. An average decent house in a decent neighborhood is probably more like $300-350K.
Wrong
That is about right
Yup, that sounds pretty accurate.
Excellent video, no better narrator. LMFAO at your comments and descriptions. Keep up the excellent videos.
Can we get a road trip of current New England/north east eventually?? Been loving this mid west series in the mean time!
Yes it will happen ❤️ maybe this next fall.
I lived in Great Falls for a while. It gets pretty cold and icy there. I don't think a mobile home (or pre-fab) would be a good idea in Montana.
They insulate them for the cold up there.
@@Steve-318 Of course they do. However, real houses are Much better .
Moved to Billings in 1990 and stayed for 30 years. West end property taxes and crime and drugs drove me out. Started to never go out at night without a sidearm. Homelessness is off the hook and the city building dept is anti business.
But as bad as things are and have gotten in 30 years, its sad to compare how prosperous the town once was
I grew up near Billings, and downtown and the southside was always a mess. If anything I'd actually say it's better than it was when I was growing up there. Doesn't mean it's good by any means, but I'd probably argue Butte is worse than Billings.
Really 😂? Why do you say that?
What a gr8 trip. Your music in the beginning sounds like NFL Films, BTW gr8 looking Square body Chevy pickup
Next time Nick I will show you small town eastern Montana where things are very different. Wish you could have seen more of our state. Thanks for coming!
Next time 👋
Don't do it !! We have enough unwanted growth in some places.
Just moved from Billings 1.5 years ago, and Nick, you were VERY KIND to deteriorating Billings.
It’s just sad that unregulated corporations, monopolies, and institutional investors have pushed up all the pricing and have bought up everything affordable. Greed is reaping rewards. As far as homeless, no one will fix it. It’s a state of the cost of living and people checking out. Drugs are spread around by the people creating a lot of the problems. Started in the 80’s with that leadership and continued. We all have to come together to find solutions. The whole country is being affected. Being divided does not help.
I lived in Great Falls back in the 90s. I remember how strange it was at first seeing slot machines in all the restaurants and gas stations.
A masterpeice. Awesome Nick.
Now come to the best place in Montana, Bigfork MT. Native Montanan here who grew up near Billings, went to college in Butte now retired in Bigfork.
My brother Ben Schiesser is buried in Billings 🙏❤️ My family loves MT, great people
Oh man, I was hoping you would give us a peek of the inside of the Casino floor at the Bourbon street Hotel/Casino. I'm sure that would have been a treat!
Darn!
I suggested Billings am so glad you did it! Great city
Poontang for dinner? That’s some good stuff there 👍🏼
😂😂
It's spelled Poutine. Originated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
I've been here for over 40 years and never saw that here
That paper sign in the beginning is cool thats what ID badges used to look like back in the day
You said it right, 'can you believe any of them', yep. And yes, the legal weed is the beginning of the end as the scourge moves in, and we'll fight like the dickens to keep that out of Wyoming.
*Thx4share gr8 journalism* 👍
Another winning production!