I’m a trucker and I walked over to the Waffle House that’s across from the TA truck stop to get a meal. A few minutes after placing my order it was robbed at gunpoint and I was laying on a greasy floor wishing I had just kept driving.
"Here's the rest of downtown Montgomery, and its surrounding neighborhoods?" Not really. This is a meandering series of loops in the downtown business/capitol district. A mile away and you'd be in Old Cloverdale, a century-old neighborhood designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, a landscape architect who was the main designer of NYC's Central Park and Prospect Park. Likewise, the Garden District is true to its name and features tree-lined streets with lovely historical homes. You see, other than a few loft apartments, downtown MTGY isn't really a residential space. "Old Alabama Town," is an interactive historical district that IS downtown. However, it wasn't shown--presumably because perpetuating the southern urban blight image confirms biases and gets more clicks. The brief tour of the run down area just next to downtown took no less time than a few shots of the Garden District or Old Cloverdale would have. Thanks for the Riverwalk tour, but I'm guessing the riverboat was closed off because of the pandemic or because it was a weeknight. It might not sound like it, but I appreciate your efforts!
Part of the trouble of not being a local is you don’t know where to go. I doubt this guy really knew where to go since he lived in NC. You’re right though. There’s a lot more to show in Montgomery (I’ve been many times; and even I don’t know much.) This might sound crazy (and I’m not trying to be sarcastic here)... but you should make your own video. Maybe you can make a better one. We obviously have much more to see!
Thank you Nick, this Montgomery video was wonderful. I'm a writer who's been entranced by Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (wife of F Scott) since 1970 when I read Nancy Milfords book Zelda. ...Zelda as a child growing up here, she wrote about playing around the courthouse where her father was *the * Judge Anthony Sayre, their house was only a few blocks away , the adult Zelda wrote lyrically of Montgomery and her childhood. I've always thought that she'd have maintained her sanity pr most of it if she'd stayed in Montgomery and made her life there. She had too much southern in her to live up north. So thank you Nick for this. I really enjoyed it.
Montgomery Alabama is a dangerous place to live. I had to move my family to a town over because we had a bullet go through my daughters window. If you don’t live on the east side of town, your in danger.
Had a similar instance though I think my case was more like the shootings that happen everywhere instead of a specific person that was being aimed at. The person was shooting all over and my room has a bullet in the upper-left corner due to it. I anonymously called the police (have to be safe) and called my landlord to inform him about it and he said he was getting calls from others in the neighborhood about what had happened. Nobody was hurt, thankfully, but still... The only reason I didn't break my lease right then (aside from not having the money) was because of the type of shooting. That sort of craziness can really happen anywhere and has happened in so many places of various income classes. We're just not safe from it no matter where we go in America. A drive-by though or fights frequently escalating to shots being fired, yes, get out of dodge of those types of places.
Yeah but it depends on where you are I'm a Montgomery native and I know it all to well it's a retirement state don't stay in the inner city stay on the outskirts of Montgomery for comfortable living
Please don't tell me you moved to either Prattville, Wetumpka, or Millbrook, because lets be forreal you didn't really move anywhere 😂😂😂😂😂. The crime is bad in certain parts of any city, including those I mentioned, as a matter of fact I was robbed in Millbrook go figures smh.
@@chriscourson2824 I know it. After traveling Europe and Japan, I realized most US cities are still underdeveloped. America is still very young and has a lot more growing to do. I think these low tax southern states will be the place to be in the next 20 years
@@user-pc7ef5sb6x US cities aren’t underdeveloped there is just so much more space. As a result there is not need to crowd a ton of people into a mega city. The US ranks 11th in the HDI above of Japan.
I’ve lived in Montgomery all my live and have been through downtown many times, it’s a pretty city in downtown but the whole city just keeps getting worse and worse
I try to celebrate the little victories here, lol. I live on the east-south side, so not the greatest area by a long shot. They took Best Buy from Eastern Blvd but they put in what looks to be a really large gym I've yet to visit, but might be nice, and an Aldi's, which is a cheap and nice place to grocery shop (though I prefer elsewhere for my meats due to limited selection. Oh, and they're building a second one). They expanded the area around exit 6 as well to handle the higher amount of traffic. As mentioned here, they took some old buildings and turned them into apartments, one place in particular which I want to move into. Every now and then, I'll get an article from Google about them fixing something else up here, so the city isn't sitting on its laurels, which is good. Not everything can be resolved at once but happy the pandemic hasn't halted everything.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley yea I’ve only been to the new Best Buy location once, it’s huge and there’s stuff everywhere kinda like the old location better. Been to the new Aldi a couple times, it’s nice if you just need some groceries and it’s the closest thing around but there’s better places in the area
I am from Tuskegee and just moved back to Montgomery. It has gotten a lot better in terms of jobs, businesses, etc. However, it has a serious crime problem. But it has come a LONG way downtown. I was pretty impressed with how good downtown looks as well as East Montgomery areas. I do however, feel that the West, North and South Sides could use a little more developments.
Yeah, from downtown, east to federal drive is where i grew up,( Capitol Heights, and Lee High). Still have family in Capitol Heights. Greatplace to ;e from. RTR❤
They won't be there much longer. Look at what migrating blacks did to Detroit It's just a matter of time. Blacks can not even maintain what the European built.
I've lived here all my life 63 years. There is a lot of history here and a lot of famous people came from here. Hank Williams Junior Nat King Cole the fitzgeralds and there's been singers and actresses. I love my city but it breaks my heart what it's become but I'm doing my part to reverse it.
@@kimboothe3855 that lockdown bs been over with and tbh stuff was only on full lockdown for a few days and life moved on, only thing changed was u had to wear mask and even that is dying out
I’m a fellow RUclipsr in Montgomery, AL and I must say downtown is a completely different vibe from the rest of the city. During the day it’s open and airy; select weekends it’s vibrant and lively. Though there are some “rough” spots (empty old and almost antique like buildings and lots) ... I’m not entirely mad about it. I feel like it’s gives it a little charm and some character. 🤣 #gumptown
I drove into downtown Montgomery on a Sunday last year and it was a ghost town, very eerie. The buildings were beautiful though, you could sense the history.
@@laurie7689 Agreed! (I love the Jemison/Clanton area myself) being born and raised in a large city like (New York) it wouldn’t bother me if I never lived IN a Metropolitan city ever again ! 🙌
@@laurie7689 Indeed! Nature at its Finest! I believe in leaving well enough alone. I can function just fine in peace & solitude. If I want action, I know where to find it 👍
Wow where are the people? Was it a bad weather day? For Jan how hot could it be?It looks like daytime maybe early morning? It would be great to know when you are in an area approximate costs ex- rent/buying a house/food/taxes- I am sure there is a variation between different neighborhoods
People were largely absent due to it being a Wednesday evening coupled with the cooler temperatures on 6 Jan 2021 [High 55F(~13C) Low of 31F(~0C)]. Additionally, Alabama still had a lot of restrictions in place and a lot of venues still offered limited service due to the pandemic. There was also an insurrection at Nation's Capitol earlier in the day, so people were probably glued to their TVs. I live on the top floor of a "Luxury" apartment building downtown. For a 1 bedroom spot on the bar strip here next to the convention center above a bunch of restaurants, it costs $1,075/mo with TV/Internet/water/trash included. Very affordable.
I'm surprised you didn't cause an accident with all the red lights you ran. Love your videos, but if you're going to visit our city then follow its laws.
Montgomery, Alabama is historical yet has some beautiful places. You captured downtown and a surrounding neighborhood that is definitely old. Montgomery is not a California for sure, but there are many scenic places and other attractions. It's not as bad as some people think and we definitely don't all talk the way they depict on television lol..those fake accents are horrible. 🤪 We are definitely southern but believe in having a good time. That's my hometown. ❤ #Bama
Are you still there?? I been wrestling with the idea of moving to downtown Montgomery but I can never get a good view of it! I’m just going to have to drive through there again
@@josephj.6478 Random is just fine! I have a million questions because I’m highly considering moving back to AL. I lived there for about 5 months but I was in the country. I want to be be in a downtown area this time but nobody ever knows what’s going on!
@@AWholeVibe96 Well, if you want to buy land you will probably need to buy a house, the apartments downtown only lease out rooms themselves as far as I know. For good homes I recommend East Montgomery or farther south of the City of Montgomery and more in Montgomery county.
My old home town. When you leave downtown it get kind of dangerous especially between Highland ava and Ann st. Also on the other side of Old Cloverdale anything pass Fairview is really bad. I lived their my whole life and everyone I know has moved to the suburbs or away including me.
Depends on the company one keeps. I've lived in that area (next to the high school with your name) for 20 years with few issues. My neighbors are quite nice.
I apologize in advance for this thought that seeing Montgomery Alabama in the video title made me think of from this really old viral commercial on RUclips: Living rooms, bedrooms, dinettes, oh yeah You can find 'em at the market We talkin' 'bout Flea Market Montgomery It's just like it's just like a mini mall Oh yeah Come shop with us, I said Flea Market Montgomery It's just like, it's just like a mini mall Hey hey, you heard me, come shop Living rooms, bedrooms, dinettes we've got it You need it you'll find it It's just like, it's just like a mini mall Hey hey, you heard me, come shop I said, Flea Market Montgomery It's just like, it's just like a mini mall Hey hey! Living rooms, bedrooms, dinettes, oh yeah You can find 'em at the market We talkin' 'bout Flea Market Montgomery It's just like, it's just like a mini mall Hey hey, don't stop, let's make it a dance Come on now, to the left (to the left) To the right (to the right) Let's do this dance, hey, to the left (to the left) To the right (to the right) Let's make this a dance Flea Market Montgomery It keeps you a-jumpin' It's just like, it's just like a mini mall Check it out now everybody Like this, now, hey hey Flea Market Montgomery It's just like, it's just like a mini mall Don't stop, let's dance Flea Market Montgomery It's just like it's just like a mini mall (Let's break it on down now. Oh yeah, I know You're gonna like this, come on now!) It's just like (You know what I'm saying.) It's just like (You know what I mean!) It's just like (You know it, so why don't you Just come on and see it.) It's just like, it's just like a mini mall (Ah yeah, you've seen it. It's just like, it's Just like a mini mall. Ah yeah, you like this Come on now, Flea Market.)
This is a common design, like seriously, where do you live? Medium sized cities have these partking spots diagonally because they can fit more cars than parrarel. And it's extremely BENEFICIAL, not dangerous. In my country of Romania (yes, Europe) people park their cars on the side of the road, even blocking the whole lane and you have to get on the oncoming traffic to pass the parked cars. If you want to back off from the parking spots, you can simply put the hazards and people will see you better that you reverse and if they want, the let you do it, if not, you have to wait when the coast is clear to reverse.
Great work Nick! You and your navigator Mappy are truly becoming the Charliebo of city driving, and at the end of the day, Mappy is not the Hero we deserve, but rather, the Hero we NEED. Take a bow, Karen! woot!
The crime here is out of control. Montgomery was working on building up the downtown for about 2decades. But the last few years the crime has skyrocketed. It’s a shame.
If you drive out to the Northern Blvd, where the Zoo is, that is all a train depot. You can't pretty up a train depot area. There are parts of Upper and Lower Wetumpka Roads, mostly cemeteries and where the sanitation facility is. Yes, these are both visible from downtown Montgomery. Capitol Heights neighborhood is being gentrified as well as Old Cloverdale. Old Cloverdale was a sty, I noticed you mentioned some "hip" restaurants in that area. Those are less then 5 years old. Court Street, Narrow Lane Rd and the Normandale areas are also being gentrified. I know because I've work with the groups who are trying to preserve and keep the historical and natural beauty of those areas. Note, Montgomery is the last time the State Capitol moved. "Alabama's State Capital, in fifty years, was moved five times; capitals St. Stephens, Huntsville, Cahaba, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery." When Elmore and Autauga Counties became more popular because of better schools and more places to shop, Montgomery's population fell dramatically. The first home I looked at in Prattville, I vetoed, as I'd have to drive to Monthomery to buy a gallon of milk! But look at those Counties now!
I'm leaving Montgomery for a wide spot in the road in Lee County. This was filmed in 2021, it's been cleaned up even better! Why we needed an artificial Rapids Water Park along the banks of the Alabama River, I'll never know. I live in Pike Road, BEFORE it became an overpriced McMansion factory for Hyundai!
This is my birth city, and I have lived there up most of my life up until 2016. The north, west, and south of the city are probably the most socioeconomically-depressed areas you will see in the city.
@@NickJohnson Yep your right about that. Anything south of south Blvd and west of troy highway is a not the place to go. Anything between I-65 in south Montgomery and norman bridge road is an area most people in Montgomery stay away from. The North and west sides are seeing progress. But after Montgomery Mall closed in 2006 South Montgomery has been going downhill ever since. All we have left is Eastdale Mall which is on the north east side of town. Which 5+ years ago was great. Now people don't go into the actual mall unless it's lenscrafters or JC penny, belks or at home, which doesn't require you to go inside the mall. The area around eastdale mall is fine but the things that happen and have happened at that mall are not. It's great that nobody has gotten killed there. In my opinion they should just tear the whole mall down and make it into a mixed use center. That land has great potential.
I was really hoping to see me walking down the street, but our business was still open at the time. He missed a few good spots downtown, and drove a lot of circles. AND RAN OUR LIGHTS. Cool to see a video of us on youtube from an out-of-towner. Montgomery is really spread out and downtown isnt big at all. It’s growing, and the pandemic halted our growth. We’re getting a lot more residential spots and restaurants downtown. Rumors of a waterpark, too! He drove right past historic places like King Memorial Church and the very spot Rosa Parks stood. Gotta mention that stuff! The fountain is over a century old, and it used to be the hub of the slave market 😭 now a Black Lives Matter mural rounds. And yeah, a Thursday evening in winter during covid is boring. It gets more lively like two hours later with dinner time. Let me know what we need to make y’all wanna visit! I’ll pull the strings.
@Powerfull DaVinci Investments Forest Hills is not a newer neighborhood but it's a decent neighborhood. I'd say outside of heavy traffic times you're looking at about 10 minutes.
I drove around in central Montgomery a few weeks ago. It looked better than what I saw in your video. I agree that things are on the up-and-up in this town. I was there on a perfect morning in May when the trees were in leaf though. Some rich guy should do something about the dome on the State Capitol building. Some sort of ornamental tile surface might be nice. It just looks so plain and white the way it is now. A few years ago I arrived in town from the south, driving from Dothan northward. The south part of town is extremely run-down, with most of the commercial district completely empty. I assumed that the situation was similar to a lot of other places in the south where there is a stark difference between black and white areas.
Actually, there are very few predominantly "white areas" within the city limits. This is a town in which white flight and black flight are not only simultaneous, but congruous as well. The per capita murder rate is insane, with in excess of 300 pending murder cases spanning the last few years. As for the downtown area, it's actually relatively safe, rich in history, and decently maintained. There are a few really good places to eat as well as a couple of good places to get good coffee and beer. If anyone is considering moving to Montgomery, the town of Pike Road, located east of the city, is deemed to be a desirable location, but, given its rapid growth, it's likely only a matter of time before the law of statistics will sadly be applicable.
I've been watching your videos for quite awhile now. I like the ones where you drive through areas, but think they would be much better if you added more commentary during the drive. Just my two cents.
I am flabbergasted, you drove from Savannah to Montgomery on the same day? The streets most have been empty because the only "highways" I know going from east to west in Georgia are I-16 and I-96.
I live in Birmingham and I tell out-of-towners we don't even have roads and we ride in horse and Buggies and I swear to God there will be people who believe it
36108, 36116. Not all of 36116 is bad. Anything east of US 231 is good, anything west is dangerous. That's where a majority of the violent crime happens in the city,. There is one more zipcode, but I don't even know all of the zipcodes. Anything in the south blvd area of Montgomery is an area to avoid. The norman bridge road area on the south side of town is to avoid. Anything on the southside of town is an area you don't want to be at night.
@@reneerollins4433 Yes. 65 does run north-south. 85 does too. However, technically I85 runs northeast or southwest depending from where you are traveling on the east coast. My grandparents taught me when I was younger: even numbers run east/ west and odd numbers run north/south.
I agree, there are some rough places. But every city has a blighted area. That massive empty lot on Maxwell Blvd? It supposed to be a water park/amusement park type thing. The lots across the street on Maxwell Blvd go for up to $1 million each. I can't see the need of a water park because it's too hot to go out to enjoy a paddle boat ride in 120F heat with 80% humidity! I'm not sure how long OP has lived here, but I've lived here since 1988 and downtown and the blighted areas have been greatly improved.
Extremely muggy, humid, and all around hot. The humidity begins to rise in late March and continues to rise all the way through August. It doesn’t become cool until roughly November.
@@craftypatty6395 So, I guess I’ll stay put. 😞 I live in Burbank. Was thinking about moving away. There are just way too many people here now. But being from here, I don’t do humidity well. It starts to get (dry) hot where I live around May/June, extremely hot August /September. A week or two, sometimes more monsoonal humidity from Mexico comes in and its awful. I seriously don’t leave the house, while the AC is on all day and night. $$$$$ I though It was short lived in the south because they have true seasons. But I guess not. Thanks for responding. 😊
Here's my entire Unboxing America Series: ruclips.net/p/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF
I’m a trucker and I walked over to the Waffle House that’s across from the TA truck stop to get a meal. A few minutes after placing my order it was robbed at gunpoint and I was laying on a greasy floor wishing I had just kept driving.
They don't tell you about that in the travel brochures. I'm glad you are okay. The place looks like no man's land.
Black lives matter!
Lol
@@brotherhoodofspiel1122 Of course it is.
@@brotherhoodofspiel1122 MAGA is a scam.
"Here's the rest of downtown Montgomery, and its surrounding neighborhoods?" Not really. This is a meandering series of loops in the downtown business/capitol district. A mile away and you'd be in Old Cloverdale, a century-old neighborhood designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, a landscape architect who was the main designer of NYC's Central Park and Prospect Park. Likewise, the Garden District is true to its name and features tree-lined streets with lovely historical homes. You see, other than a few loft apartments, downtown MTGY isn't really a residential space. "Old Alabama Town," is an interactive historical district that IS downtown. However, it wasn't shown--presumably because perpetuating the southern urban blight image confirms biases and gets more clicks. The brief tour of the run down area just next to downtown took no less time than a few shots of the Garden District or Old Cloverdale would have. Thanks for the Riverwalk tour, but I'm guessing the riverboat was closed off because of the pandemic or because it was a weeknight. It might not sound like it, but I appreciate your efforts!
Hank Williams, Sr is buried in Montgomery. He was from Greenville, AL.
"presumably"
I'm glad you posted this! Every big city has a "pretty rough" area. That area doesn't represent the whole city!
Part of the trouble of not being a local is you don’t know where to go. I doubt this guy really knew where to go since he lived in NC. You’re right though. There’s a lot more to show in Montgomery (I’ve been many times; and even I don’t know much.) This might sound crazy (and I’m not trying to be sarcastic here)... but you should make your own video. Maybe you can make a better one. We obviously have much more to see!
Helllo. Im thinking about moving to Montgomery, what should i do for a two day visit
Thank you Nick, this Montgomery video was wonderful. I'm a writer who's been entranced by Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald (wife of F Scott) since 1970 when I read Nancy Milfords book Zelda. ...Zelda as a child growing up here, she wrote about playing around the courthouse where her father was *the * Judge Anthony Sayre, their house was only a few blocks away , the adult Zelda wrote lyrically of Montgomery and her childhood. I've always thought that she'd have maintained her sanity pr most of it if she'd stayed in Montgomery and made her life there. She had too much southern in her to live up north.
So thank you Nick for this. I really enjoyed it.
Montgomery Alabama is a dangerous place to live. I had to move my family to a town over because we had a bullet go through my daughters window. If you don’t live on the east side of town, your in danger.
Had a similar instance though I think my case was more like the shootings that happen everywhere instead of a specific person that was being aimed at. The person was shooting all over and my room has a bullet in the upper-left corner due to it. I anonymously called the police (have to be safe) and called my landlord to inform him about it and he said he was getting calls from others in the neighborhood about what had happened. Nobody was hurt, thankfully, but still...
The only reason I didn't break my lease right then (aside from not having the money) was because of the type of shooting. That sort of craziness can really happen anywhere and has happened in so many places of various income classes. We're just not safe from it no matter where we go in America. A drive-by though or fights frequently escalating to shots being fired, yes, get out of dodge of those types of places.
Yeah but it depends on where you are I'm a Montgomery native and I know it all to well it's a retirement state don't stay in the inner city stay on the outskirts of Montgomery for comfortable living
Please don't tell me you moved to either Prattville, Wetumpka, or Millbrook, because lets be forreal you didn't really move anywhere 😂😂😂😂😂. The crime is bad in certain parts of any city, including those I mentioned, as a matter of fact I was robbed in Millbrook go figures smh.
Alabama is up and coming. A lot of tech jobs are moving in because of low taxation. Alabama might look different 10 - 20 years from now
Georgia used to be one of the worst states know its one of the best and going up fast so I can definitely see it
Georgia and Alabama are pretty similar
i doubt it!
@@chriscourson2824
I know it. After traveling Europe and Japan, I realized most US cities are still underdeveloped. America is still very young and has a lot more growing to do. I think these low tax southern states will be the place to be in the next 20 years
@@user-pc7ef5sb6x US cities aren’t underdeveloped there is just so much more space. As a result there is not need to crowd a ton of people into a mega city. The US ranks 11th in the HDI above of Japan.
Nice down town. I’ve always wanted to see Alabama. Thank for sharing.
Montgomery, Alabama has several beautiful old buildings! Thank you for not tearing them down!
They can't afford to tear them down.
I love these historical dashcam narratives. Only one in RUclips I know who does this
Watching your videos is like being there without traveling, thanks.
❤ Thanks for positively presenting my hometown.
Thanks!
I’ve lived in Montgomery all my live and have been through downtown many times, it’s a pretty city in downtown but the whole city just keeps getting worse and worse
I try to celebrate the little victories here, lol. I live on the east-south side, so not the greatest area by a long shot. They took Best Buy from Eastern Blvd but they put in what looks to be a really large gym I've yet to visit, but might be nice, and an Aldi's, which is a cheap and nice place to grocery shop (though I prefer elsewhere for my meats due to limited selection. Oh, and they're building a second one). They expanded the area around exit 6 as well to handle the higher amount of traffic. As mentioned here, they took some old buildings and turned them into apartments, one place in particular which I want to move into. Every now and then, I'll get an article from Google about them fixing something else up here, so the city isn't sitting on its laurels, which is good. Not everything can be resolved at once but happy the pandemic hasn't halted everything.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley yea I’ve only been to the new Best Buy location once, it’s huge and there’s stuff everywhere kinda like the old location better. Been to the new Aldi a couple times, it’s nice if you just need some groceries and it’s the closest thing around but there’s better places in the area
They moved BestBuy to Eastchase it’s far but it’s bigger and better
I am from Tuskegee and just moved back to Montgomery. It has gotten a lot better in terms of jobs, businesses, etc. However, it has a serious crime problem. But it has come a LONG way downtown. I was pretty impressed with how good downtown looks as well as East Montgomery areas. I do however, feel that the West, North and South Sides could use a little more developments.
@@jboss729 facts it wasn’t this big coming up but proud of my city growing and thriving and I feel the crime is coming with the city growing
Yeah, from downtown, east to federal drive is where i grew up,( Capitol Heights, and Lee High). Still have family in Capitol Heights. Greatplace to ;e from. RTR❤
Looks like a nice downtown and nice old historic buildings.
They won't be there much longer. Look at what migrating blacks did to Detroit It's just a matter of time. Blacks can not even maintain what the European built.
Thank you for the video. I would of never of though Montgomery was such a nice looking city.
It looks amusing place and rich with history.
Great vid. The downtown is beautiful.
I've lived here all my life 63 years. There is a lot of history here and a lot of famous people came from here. Hank Williams Junior Nat King Cole the fitzgeralds and there's been singers and actresses. I love my city but it breaks my heart what it's become but I'm doing my part to reverse it.
I worked in downtown Montgomery from 2003-2014. Haven't been back since. Seems like a lot of money is being pumped into downtown.
The circle at night is beautiful. Stand on the one side of the fountain and look up the hill at the Capitol. Stunning.
Almost no one walking on the streets and it is a pretty city.
p.s cool Scotland flag homie!
A lot of people are still working from home. This is pretty dead from average. After the pandemic has settled, it will pick up.
COVID had a lot of places closed.
@@kimboothe3855 that lockdown bs been over with and tbh stuff was only on full lockdown for a few days and life moved on, only thing changed was u had to wear mask and even that is dying out
Must have picked a bad time for that because there's always people downtown. Either on the strip or over by the alley bar
I’m a fellow RUclipsr in Montgomery, AL and I must say downtown is a completely different vibe from the rest of the city. During the day it’s open and airy; select weekends it’s vibrant and lively.
Though there are some “rough” spots (empty old and almost antique like buildings and lots) ... I’m not entirely mad about it. I feel like it’s gives it a little charm and some character. 🤣 #gumptown
GumpTown!!!! What’s your Instagram name
@@MarquishaJ Jujunaturally 🥰
Lol at Gumptown... yep you're definitely living here in Montgomery.
Love your videos, glad to be early this time 🥰
Morning!
Hello
Keep up the good work Nick!
Thanks! Will do!
I worked at the Alabama Power Co. office on Dexter from 1981 until 1993 before transferring to Birmingham. Good times.
SOUTHERN LIFE aka Jose would love this about Montgomery 💯💯💯
he's cool we talk.
@@NickJohnson Yes he is I love his videos 😊
Having only been through Birmingham, Montgomery was exactly as I imagined! Good job!
What do you mean by that?
doesn't look too bad - nice and clean
I have wonderful memories there!! Thank you for sharing 😊
Hello dear
@@moneygrowersph516 hello and good morning ☀️☕️
I drove into downtown Montgomery on a Sunday last year and it was a ghost town, very eerie. The buildings were beautiful though, you could sense the history.
Just keep driving..there's alot more. Not the best entry into the city I must admit
You where in a pandemic nut
Well if it was a Sunday, everything is closed on weekends.
Sundays are dead downtown. Late in the day is when the "entertainment area" starts opening up.
@Christie Schmitz ESPECIALLY on Friday nights. Downtown Montgomery, Alabama at night on Friday's is a beautiful sight to see.
Thank you Nick,God Bless You and Your Family, Have a Very Blessed, Peaceful, Prosperous and Safe Week 🙏 ❤🌹🌷
Sharon ❤️❤️
Hello Nick... Thanks for your wonderful trips around America, I saw Jesus Rodriguez squatting in the slummy suburbs of Detroit, Take care.. 😊🇦🇺🙏🇺🇸
Lmaoooo do what???
Sweet Home Alabama!
Was this a weekday?
Very pretty
The south his heading towards the right direction
That was fun, great job on the video. It felt like I was riding with you in the car. I grew up there, moved away 30 years ago. Thanks for this!
Its really making a fantastic turnaround great place for anybody or anyfamily 😊😊😊😊😊
Montgomery, Alabama: home of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing North America
no, it is at HOPE HULL, AL
It’s so clean you don’t see no trash no where
Nice city. Old buildings are very nice.
Better be careful running those red lights, bruh! 🚦🚦🚦
Right !
For real.
You caught that, too.
From Cali this place looks mighty clean
No homeless
No traffic congestion
Low priced houses ( I checked )
Californian's Dreamin
Yes
5:37 Lol you used the iPhone ringtone when it wakes you up in the morning
Apple copied my tune??
I heard that tune and was like, HUH?
What a ride 🚙
What a music 🌈
As if I travelled without stamping my passport 😍
Lucky you . I’m from Canada 🇨🇦 I always need my passport stamped 😅
Thanks so much for your answer
I choose Montgomery over Birmingham or Mobile. At least it is safer, crime wise.
Huntsville is still the best
Yea you dont want to go to mobile crime rate is horrible and it's even spilling off into the fairhope gulf shores area.
U couldn’t PAY MY RENT 2 stay there!👎 💩
@@laurie7689 Agreed! (I love the Jemison/Clanton area myself) being born and raised in a large city like (New York) it wouldn’t bother me if I never lived IN a Metropolitan city ever again ! 🙌
@@laurie7689 Indeed! Nature at its Finest! I believe in leaving well enough alone. I can function just fine in peace & solitude. If I want action, I know where to find it 👍
Thank you for the Video .and you're awesome Channel
Just left Don Duncan American tire. Great service downtown Montgomery.
Wow where are the people? Was it a bad weather day? For Jan how hot could it be?It looks like daytime maybe early morning? It would be great to know when you are in an area approximate costs ex- rent/buying a house/food/taxes- I am sure there is a variation between different neighborhoods
People were largely absent due to it being a Wednesday evening coupled with the cooler temperatures on 6 Jan 2021 [High 55F(~13C) Low of 31F(~0C)]. Additionally, Alabama still had a lot of restrictions in place and a lot of venues still offered limited service due to the pandemic. There was also an insurrection at Nation's Capitol earlier in the day, so people were probably glued to their TVs.
I live on the top floor of a "Luxury" apartment building downtown. For a 1 bedroom spot on the bar strip here next to the convention center above a bunch of restaurants, it costs $1,075/mo with TV/Internet/water/trash included. Very affordable.
I'm surprised you didn't cause an accident with all the red lights you ran. Love your videos, but if you're going to visit our city then follow its laws.
There was no one out
@@laurie7689 you sound fun
Oh good grief.
Southern hospitality seems to be getting rough around the edges, too
I like my city. To me it's just as good as the next city. 😊😊😊
Montgomery, Alabama is historical yet has some beautiful places. You captured downtown and a surrounding neighborhood that is definitely old. Montgomery is not a California for sure, but there are many scenic places and other attractions. It's not as bad as some people think and we definitely don't all talk the way they depict on television lol..those fake accents are horrible. 🤪 We are definitely southern but believe in having a good time. That's my hometown. ❤
#Bama
Are you still there?? I been wrestling with the idea of moving to downtown Montgomery but I can never get a good view of it!
I’m just going to have to drive through there again
@@AWholeVibe96 ik this is random but if you have any questions just ask me lol, been living here for 15 years
@@josephj.6478 Random is just fine! I have a million questions because I’m highly considering moving back to AL. I lived there for about 5 months but I was in the country. I want to be be in a downtown area this time but nobody ever knows what’s going on!
@@josephj.6478 I would also like to buy land there!
@@AWholeVibe96 Well, if you want to buy land you will probably need to buy a house, the apartments downtown only lease out rooms themselves as far as I know. For good homes I recommend East Montgomery or farther south of the City of Montgomery and more in Montgomery county.
My old home town. When you leave downtown it get kind of dangerous especially between Highland ava and Ann st. Also on the other side of Old Cloverdale anything pass Fairview is really bad. I lived their my whole life and everyone I know has moved to the suburbs or away including me.
Depends on the company one keeps. I've lived in that area (next to the high school with your name) for 20 years with few issues. My neighbors are quite nice.
Another interesting video!
I apologize in advance for this thought that seeing Montgomery Alabama in the video title made me think of from this really old viral commercial on RUclips:
Living rooms, bedrooms, dinettes, oh yeah
You can find 'em at the market
We talkin' 'bout Flea Market Montgomery
It's just like it's just like a mini mall
Oh yeah
Come shop with us, I said Flea Market Montgomery
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
Hey hey, you heard me, come shop
Living rooms, bedrooms, dinettes we've got it
You need it you'll find it
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
Hey hey, you heard me, come shop
I said, Flea Market Montgomery
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
Hey hey!
Living rooms, bedrooms, dinettes, oh yeah
You can find 'em at the market
We talkin' 'bout Flea Market Montgomery
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
Hey hey, don't stop, let's make it a dance
Come on now, to the left (to the left)
To the right (to the right)
Let's do this dance, hey, to the left (to the left)
To the right (to the right)
Let's make this a dance
Flea Market Montgomery
It keeps you a-jumpin'
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
Check it out now everybody
Like this, now, hey hey
Flea Market Montgomery
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
Don't stop, let's dance
Flea Market Montgomery
It's just like it's just like a mini mall
(Let's break it on down now. Oh yeah, I know
You're gonna like this, come on now!)
It's just like (You know what I'm saying.)
It's just like (You know what I mean!)
It's just like (You know it, so why don't you
Just come on and see it.)
It's just like, it's just like a mini mall
(Ah yeah, you've seen it. It's just like, it's
Just like a mini mall. Ah yeah, you like this
Come on now, Flea Market.)
what the
@@NickJohnson OMG U havent seen flea market Montgomery Nick!?
Lmmfao 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 you know it man the Flea Market Montgomery theme song from Sammi never gets old 😂 😂
@@michaelbishop3439 Oh yeah! You said. It's just like, it's just like, a mini-mall!
😂🤣🤣
I went there in Sept 2020. It was beautiful.
Ive seen a nice RV park down on the alabama coast...
So where are all the people? Do you edit them out?
yep one by one
Hey Nick, how about a video about the most notorius serial killers in each state?
Good idea!
Thank you, Nick, for taking time out to show us around! It's all very interesting!
Downtown Montgomery is not bad looking.
It kind of weird how Montgomery has parking lots you have to back into traffic to get out. Kind of dangerous.
This is a common design, like seriously, where do you live? Medium sized cities have these partking spots diagonally because they can fit more cars than parrarel. And it's extremely BENEFICIAL, not dangerous. In my country of Romania (yes, Europe) people park their cars on the side of the road, even blocking the whole lane and you have to get on the oncoming traffic to pass the parked cars. If you want to back off from the parking spots, you can simply put the hazards and people will see you better that you reverse and if they want, the let you do it, if not, you have to wait when the coast is clear to reverse.
@@dastanjan320 Virginia has those kind of parking in parking lots not on roads.
🌸Thanks for the video🌸My sweet home Alabama🌸Fairhope🌸
Wish my gas was only 2.49. I’m paying 3.97 here in SoCal.
Beat you all I’ve just paid £1,27 per litre.
Roll tide 334 boi
Great work Nick! You and your navigator Mappy are truly becoming the Charliebo of city driving, and at the end of the day, Mappy is not the Hero we deserve, but rather, the Hero we NEED.
Take a bow, Karen! woot!
Hyundai has a manufacturing plant here. Do you go by it?
Do Tuscaloosa. It's always busy there
Thanks for sharing the ride-along.
Where is Mapy? I missed it in the nice video lol.
He was sleeping 😉
Not as bad as i thought it would be
Check Enterprise the only city with a statue to an insect.
Is Enterprise anywhere near Weevilville?
@@chrisv9186 south of Montgomery, North of Dothan.
Oh and love the music 🎶
Funny how this was recommended to me because I live about 8 to 10 miles east of downtown
RUclips knows everything
The crime here is out of control. Montgomery was working on building up the downtown for about 2decades. But the last few years the crime has skyrocketed. It’s a shame.
Once the city had a record 50 in 2013, the homicide rate has been going up and down. steadily rising each year.
Very bold to run several traffic lights, especially the one by the police station
That area is where the Montgomery County Sherriff's Dept is located.
If you drive out to the Northern Blvd, where the Zoo is, that is all a train depot. You can't pretty up a train depot area. There are parts of Upper and Lower Wetumpka Roads, mostly cemeteries and where the sanitation facility is. Yes, these are both visible from downtown Montgomery. Capitol Heights neighborhood is being gentrified as well as Old Cloverdale. Old Cloverdale was a sty, I noticed you mentioned some "hip" restaurants in that area. Those are less then 5 years old. Court Street, Narrow Lane Rd and the Normandale areas are also being gentrified. I know because I've work with the groups who are trying to preserve and keep the historical and natural beauty of those areas. Note, Montgomery is the last time the State Capitol moved. "Alabama's State Capital, in fifty years, was moved five times; capitals St. Stephens, Huntsville, Cahaba, Tuscaloosa and Montgomery." When Elmore and Autauga Counties became more popular because of better schools and more places to shop, Montgomery's population fell dramatically. The first home I looked at in Prattville, I vetoed, as I'd have to drive to Monthomery to buy a gallon of milk! But look at those Counties now!
I'm leaving Montgomery for a wide spot in the road in Lee County.
This was filmed in 2021, it's been cleaned up even better! Why we needed an artificial Rapids Water Park along the banks of the Alabama River, I'll never know.
I live in Pike Road, BEFORE it became an overpriced McMansion factory for Hyundai!
Just a tip not criticizing but odd number Interstate highways go north and south, "even" ones go east and west
When I travel used to eat at a place call Sahara it was fabulous
Sahara was a great resturant.
Yeah, it closed some years back. I’m from Montgomery and never had the chance to dine there.
It looks like a ghosttown without any people around .
i know. sign of the times.
@@NickJohnson the times need to change. 🤔
@@NickJohnson I 'm living in Germany ,thought it's better in the US ,for much more people have already taken the vaccine .
@@ken3923 Yes , and hopefully soon .
It's not always like this trust me.
I thought I was seeing things, there was a S.H. Kress building there😲, I only seen them in Arkansas
Cool!
Yes there was
💯🎯💯
This is my birth city, and I have lived there up most of my life up until 2016. The north, west, and south of the city are probably the most socioeconomically-depressed areas you will see in the city.
I’m from mobile heights and normandale and you are correct
Downtown montgomery is really nice. Montgomery is nice tbh except west and north side😂
Nope the south side is the worst
@@NickJohnson trust me I'm from montgomery north side on tv every night for some crazy bruh
@@NickJohnson Yep your right about that.
Anything south of south Blvd and west of troy highway is a not the place to go. Anything between I-65 in south Montgomery and norman bridge road is an area most people in Montgomery stay away from.
The North and west sides are seeing progress. But after Montgomery Mall closed in 2006 South Montgomery has been going downhill ever since.
All we have left is Eastdale Mall which is on the north east side of town. Which 5+ years ago was great. Now people don't go into the actual mall unless it's lenscrafters or JC penny, belks or at home, which doesn't require you to go inside the mall. The area around eastdale mall is fine but the things that happen and have happened at that mall are not. It's great that nobody has gotten killed there. In my opinion they should just tear the whole mall down and make it into a mixed use center. That land has great potential.
@@NickJohnson what makes you say south instead of west? I’m not disagreeing just wondering what your reasoning behind it is
Hey Nick, which dashboard cam do you use?
iPhone and GoPro
I was really hoping to see me walking down the street, but our business was still open at the time. He missed a few good spots downtown, and drove a lot of circles. AND RAN OUR LIGHTS. Cool to see a video of us on youtube from an out-of-towner. Montgomery is really spread out and downtown isnt big at all. It’s growing, and the pandemic halted our growth. We’re getting a lot more residential spots and restaurants downtown. Rumors of a waterpark, too! He drove right past historic places like King Memorial Church and the very spot Rosa Parks stood. Gotta mention that stuff! The fountain is over a century old, and it used to be the hub of the slave market 😭 now a Black Lives Matter mural rounds. And yeah, a Thursday evening in winter during covid is boring. It gets more lively like two hours later with dinner time. Let me know what we need to make y’all wanna visit! I’ll pull the strings.
@Powerfull DaVinci Investments Forest Hills is not a newer neighborhood but it's a decent neighborhood. I'd say outside of heavy traffic times you're looking at about 10 minutes.
Montgomery was the Capitol of the Confederacy, until it was moved to Richmond, VA.
Did it used to be booming there??
Sorta
I drove around in central Montgomery a few weeks ago. It looked better than what I saw in your video.
I agree that things are on the up-and-up in this town. I was there on a perfect morning in May when the trees were in leaf though. Some rich guy should do something about the dome on the State Capitol building. Some sort of ornamental tile surface might be nice. It just looks so plain and white the way it is now. A few years ago I arrived in town from the south, driving from Dothan northward. The south part of town is extremely run-down, with most of the commercial district completely empty. I assumed that the situation was similar to a lot of other places in the south where there is a stark difference between black and white areas.
Actually, there are very few predominantly "white areas" within the city limits. This is a town in which white flight and black flight are not only simultaneous, but congruous as well. The per capita murder rate is insane, with in excess of 300 pending murder cases spanning the last few years. As for the downtown area, it's actually relatively safe, rich in history, and decently maintained. There are a few really good places to eat as well as a couple of good places to get good coffee and beer. If anyone is considering moving to Montgomery, the town of Pike Road, located east of the city, is deemed to be a desirable location, but, given its rapid growth, it's likely only a matter of time before the law of statistics will sadly be applicable.
This is what Cleveland Ohio looked like back in the eighties after 6 PM No walking the streets.
I've been watching your videos for quite awhile now. I like the ones where you drive through areas, but think they would be much better if you added more commentary during the drive. Just my two cents.
Hi from Santos - São Paulo - Brasil !
🇧🇷
I am flabbergasted, you drove from Savannah to Montgomery on the same day? The streets most have been empty because the only "highways" I know going from east to west in Georgia are I-16 and I-96.
Not same day
@@NickJohnson I am slow, sorry. I didn't rewatched the other video before this one, I thought I heard you said you drove in Savannah on January 6th.
there's I-20 I-85 I-16 and a ton of highways that go east west in Georgia. I-96 is an east west Interstate in Michigan.
@@sevenkendrick5843 probably meant GA state 96
A friend of mine moved to Alabama because they have the lowest property taxes in the United States
That's true. I live in Alabama and pay 14.60 a year in property taxes. If your over 65 your exempt from any property taxes.
Ohh it’s so modern 😂😂😂😂 that’s sarcasm to people who think Bama doesn’t have running water or electricity
I live in Birmingham and I tell out-of-towners we don't even have roads and we ride in horse and Buggies and I swear to God there will be people who believe it
Lol I know right?
what are the worst zip codes to live in Montgomery?
36108, 36116. Not all of 36116 is bad. Anything east of US 231 is good, anything west is dangerous. That's where a majority of the violent crime happens in the city,. There is one more zipcode, but I don't even know all of the zipcodes. Anything in the south blvd area of Montgomery is an area to avoid. The norman bridge road area on the south side of town is to avoid. Anything on the southside of town is an area you don't want to be at night.
@@jalenbarlow1303 what about wesferry rd atl hwy area i grew up there but moved in the 4th grade im grown now an wanna move back bc of family
@@sayten5512 it’s gotten worse. Use to be really nice. Not the same now. It’s definitely not the worst place in the city though.
Lived there for a year. That was more than enough lol.
Doesn't I85 run north to south?? So, how did you go west on it?
It's 65 that runs north/south🙂
@@reneerollins4433 Yes. 65 does run north-south. 85 does too. However, technically I85 runs northeast or southwest depending from where you are traveling on the east coast. My grandparents taught me when I was younger: even numbers run east/ west and odd numbers run north/south.
@@rspen2142 it runs east/west on the compass as you enter Montgomery.
@@evansjohnc 🤔
85 east/west. It passes through auburn.
I agree, there are some rough places. But every city has a blighted area. That massive empty lot on Maxwell Blvd? It supposed to be a water park/amusement park type thing. The lots across the street on Maxwell Blvd go for up to $1 million each. I can't see the need of a water park because it's too hot to go out to enjoy a paddle boat ride in 120F heat with 80% humidity! I'm not sure how long OP has lived here, but I've lived here since 1988 and downtown and the blighted areas have been greatly improved.
How are the summers there?
miserable
Very freaking humid and hot not to mention muggy (trust me I live here in Central Alabama for the vast majority of my life).
Extremely muggy, humid, and all around hot. The humidity begins to rise in late March and continues to rise all the way through August. It doesn’t become cool until roughly November.
@@craftypatty6395 So, I guess I’ll stay put. 😞 I live in Burbank. Was thinking about moving away. There are just way too many people here now. But being from here, I don’t do humidity well. It starts to get (dry) hot where I live around May/June, extremely hot August /September. A week or two, sometimes more monsoonal humidity from Mexico comes in and its awful. I seriously don’t leave the house, while the AC is on all day and night. $$$$$ I though It was short lived in the south because they have true seasons. But I guess not. Thanks for responding. 😊
It's great here in the summer!! You should consider coming
Sometimes the guide needs a guide. Be careful out there.
The closer you got to Montgomery, the worse the drivers are on the interstate. Almost learned that the hard way