This Is What Life Is Like In Small Town Iowa

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  • čas přidán 29. 03. 2023
  • Did you ever think IOWA would look so appealing? Cause it does!
    Call Patriot Gold at 888-925-1970 or visit njgold2023.com
    Red Oak is in southwestern Iowa. It’s a clean cut community surrounded by corn fields about an hour east of Omaha, Nebraska. If you didn’t know about it, it would be hard to miss. Over the last years, the number of people who live here has been going down at a steady number. Some years, 40 folks leave town. Some years 100 people do. It’s all for the same reasons - kids want more exciting things to do, and there aren’t a lot of white collar jobs out this way.
    As we’ll see, Red Oak might be shrinking, but not because it’s not great here.
    If you look around the town square, you’ll see a lot of construction going on. Lots of the store fronts are getting fixed up, and there are new leases in the works. Above the storefronts, there are new apartments and condos springing up. There’s a lot of opportunity here for small businesses and families who want a cheaper, safer life.
    I drove around Iowa for an entire week and stopped in every small town I came to. I have to say - you could do a lot worse for a small town in Iowa. Many of the small towns I saw looked stagnant. Not here.
    #iowa #america
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Komentáře • 2,5K

  • @NickJohnson
    @NickJohnson  Před rokem +111

    Here are all of my Iowa videos! czcams.com/play/PLq-_cmf3H6yo9yHsanE5Ysqvxsu9KGIcY.html

    • @majcorbin
      @majcorbin Před rokem +10

      I have lived in IOWA since 1952 GO HAWKS

    • @mikesrandomvideos
      @mikesrandomvideos Před rokem +6

      Hey Nick I drove all over that area. super nice people Had to work there. Nobody could do my job up there. Everyone was nice, very little crime. Even in Sioux city where I stayed at the comfort inn. The people even in the big city were nice...But there was crime and homeless, and gangs in Sioux City. Some areas were pretty rough and others were Super super nice and super super safe.

    • @taisircleanin
      @taisircleanin Před rokem +6

      Wishing peace all over USA 🇺🇸

    • @mikesrandomvideos
      @mikesrandomvideos Před rokem +1

      @My Cancer Journey well lets hope your prognosis is good. Or at least your spirits are high.

    • @dannyd464
      @dannyd464 Před rokem

      How many 🐓s do you suck to be that insulting ?.........😊

  • @KYBlooograz
    @KYBlooograz Před rokem +1739

    It's been nearly two years now since I moved from my hometown of Seattle, Washington to a small town in central Kentucky. Absolutely the best decision I've ever made. Safe, friendly, affordable and clean. No more traffic, homeless encampments everywhere with violence and drugs, and constant drama. Life is wonderful in small town America!

    • @stegura83
      @stegura83 Před rokem +290

      Just don't bring Seattle's liberal politics with you.

    • @shrim1481
      @shrim1481 Před rokem +182

      This is code for "I love not living by minorities"

    • @KYBlooograz
      @KYBlooograz Před rokem

      @@stegura83 Wouldn't have moved across the country to get away from that liberal hell hole if I were planning on bringing it with me. 🙂

    • @stegura83
      @stegura83 Před rokem +102

      @@shrim1481 Minorities is a outdated and obsolete term.

    • @KYBlooograz
      @KYBlooograz Před rokem +139

      @@shrim1481 Really? Because I am married to one.

  • @pamelamays4186
    @pamelamays4186 Před rokem +800

    I hope small towns like this don't end up fading away over time.

    • @bigwatermelon4487
      @bigwatermelon4487 Před rokem +50

      They must be preserved

    • @jeffc7486
      @jeffc7486 Před rokem +45

      They will if people choose to do the same where they're coming from.

    • @jeep19
      @jeep19 Před rokem

      They won't, because they seem to be white safe havens.

    • @chusasilwimba2943
      @chusasilwimba2943 Před rokem +31

      They wont, only mining and industrial towns tend to fade away after the industry is shut down

    • @underfire987
      @underfire987 Před rokem +38

      People are beginning to flee cities, small towns and rural life is the future cities are going to be a shadow of what they are, if they even are around.

  • @vikotto
    @vikotto Před rokem +281

    I’m a flight attendant of 33 years, and I’ve been all over the world, so I know my passengers and I’ve come to the conclusion that my favorite passengers are those from middle America. They are simple, conscientious, sensible and just down right nice.

    • @MekareP
      @MekareP Před rokem

      It's fake. I've been in Iowa my whole life and live in small town Illinois now. They're fake and all of em talk behind everyone's backs. As long as you are exactly like them they'll be your best friend, otherwise they're only being polite to your face.

    • @reempire888
      @reempire888 Před 11 měsíci

      People from the west coast are mostly drama, fake, and inconsiderate. Ask me how I know. Lol

    • @cfd9724
      @cfd9724 Před 11 měsíci +3

      Like which states do you mean middle america. I'm not American but it just got my curiosity :D

    • @votummstellarumm1581
      @votummstellarumm1581 Před 11 měsíci +8

      @@cfd9724 From my understanding of middle America, I am guessing anywhere that are in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Wyoming, Colorado... etc.

    • @cfd9724
      @cfd9724 Před 11 měsíci +1

      @@votummstellarumm1581 Ill keep them as a reminder. Thank you kindly.

  • @bartolomeestebanmurillo4459

    It makes me glad that places like this still exist in this country. We often focus on the negative instead of the positives. I'd like to move to a place like this someday.

    • @nightbot1788
      @nightbot1788 Před měsícem +1

      where are the ppl tho? All empty streets

  • @TayDays1128
    @TayDays1128 Před rokem +286

    Look at the architecture. Town looks virtually untouched since the 1940s/1950s. And the fact that the residents have been there for their entire life just adds to the community feel.

    • @Camerenreynolds
      @Camerenreynolds Před rokem +5

      Yeah and I hate that

    • @aceboogisback9946
      @aceboogisback9946 Před rokem

      I bet there’s lots of racists there too. I’m sure I wouldn’t fit in and there are lots of right wing racists with Confederate flags on their balcony.

    • @Peopleofthesun386
      @Peopleofthesun386 Před rokem

      Boring and dull

    • @Hshshdfb
      @Hshshdfb Před rokem +4

      They are very scummy and have a lot of drama nothint but it

    • @bravobravoh1344
      @bravobravoh1344 Před rokem

      It looks a lot better than Red Oak, Texas, which is a drug addicted, riddled dump.

  • @litaheffley6990
    @litaheffley6990 Před rokem +344

    Nice to know places like this still exist

  • @ColinBarrett001
    @ColinBarrett001 Před rokem +64

    I'm from the UK and was lucky enough to spend a few months exploring the US some years ago. I would move to small town mid-west America in a heartbeat. Red Oak looks like a really nice, peaceful small town. I bet there are some lovely people there.

  • @AlexinOslo
    @AlexinOslo Před rokem +27

    Iowa is a rational-thinking state rooted in Lutheran and Scandinavian traditions that highly values education. It shows. I grew up in Prairie Du Chien across the river. Very good memories.

    • @jeffb321
      @jeffb321 Před rokem +3

      Many small towns in Iowa are stilled rooted back to the European settlers, IE pella- Dutch, story city- Norwegians, emmetsburg- Irish catholic.

    • @Turnpost2552
      @Turnpost2552 Před 11 měsíci

      if you wete rational you wouldnt live there

    • @BullSheeper
      @BullSheeper Před měsícem

      Many Irish and German Catholic families as well

  • @lilaward6914
    @lilaward6914 Před rokem +24

    Iowa native here..Our 6 kids and 14 grandkids live in Iowa.. Best place to raise a family❤️

  • @Gguy061
    @Gguy061 Před rokem +318

    I moved to San Diego from a small town in west Tennessee that is just like this place. It's one of the worst decisions I made in my life. Over Half of all my income goes towards just existing. Making friends has been impossible. People are really cold and distant by comparison. And forget about dating. The big cities just don't have good people. I've literally sat on the sidewalk in tears while people walked by like I didn't exist. Do you wanna be bored or do you want literally EVERYTHING to be more difficult and inconvenient? I'd rather be bored than have to drive around for 20 minutes to find a parking spot! Don't take small towns like this for granted, people

    • @loosilu
      @loosilu Před rokem

      You are too soft for cities. EVERYTHING is so convenient in a city. I cannot stand living somewhere you need to drive to get anything done Culture? Forget it out in the sticks.

    • @blackconservative6362
      @blackconservative6362 Před rokem +11

      Amen

    • @Aldarionz9
      @Aldarionz9 Před rokem +14

      you should return to Tennessee. i left Oceanside ca. i was far from anything worth calling home. Too sunny and deserty there it felt like except they planted a lot but still not home there.

    • @thepreposterousone428
      @thepreposterousone428 Před rokem +20

      You sat on the sidewalk crying? Have you no dignity?!?

    • @DeematheFashionDesigner
      @DeematheFashionDesigner Před rokem +15

      Lol TN is not a fun place! I love SD! People wise dating is horrible!

  • @housepianist
    @housepianist Před rokem +169

    Being from Omaha, I can completely understand the appeal for small-town living. I’ve visited dozens of them over the decades and I’ve always teased my wife by saying, “I’m going to move here one day” for every town I’ve passed through or visited. I’m starting to become more serious about “one day” now, especially after watching this.

    • @NickJohnson
      @NickJohnson  Před rokem +14

      It's never too early Randall!

    • @loosilu
      @loosilu Před rokem +4

      It's an idealized fantasy.

    • @riconasty5044
      @riconasty5044 Před rokem +2

      I’m from da O to but I don’t like the idea of people all of a sudden moving in lmao dis last 3 years to much goin on thanks to those comin in from da outside but still relaxed good opportunities and Iowa, over here in Omaha is known for the home of da crackheads but pretty chill lots of trailer homes but yea Omaha is good compare to any place I been honestly lol

    • @kylexrex
      @kylexrex Před rokem

      Look at what a shitshow portland has become and it will be "right now" lol

    • @goombabear
      @goombabear Před 9 měsíci

      Omaha Eppley Field was the easiest and friendliest airport that I've ever been to.

  • @maryanneevans8812
    @maryanneevans8812 Před rokem +46

    This is fascinating. A face of America you don't really get to see. Not exactly a "tourist destination" but exactly the kind of towns I am curious about! Excellent video and commentary. Watching from Switzerland😊

    • @annmariemarin5513
      @annmariemarin5513 Před rokem +2

      If you wanted to see the real America, this is it. It's lovely. Good people.

    • @Chris-ey8zf
      @Chris-ey8zf Před rokem

      @@annmariemarin5513 This isn't real America. This is just a bunch of old, fat white people who are all retired and have no reason to leave now that they no longer need a job. There are no jobs in places like this, which is why anyone under the age of 65 doesn't live there. This is why all you see are old retired folks, and none of them have darker skin color than bright pink.

    • @thomashom7514
      @thomashom7514 Před rokem +1

      @@annmariemarin5513 Good people?! I didn’t see people!

    • @Karen_Marie
      @Karen_Marie Před rokem +5

      ​@@annmariemarin5513 not the "real America" the "old America."
      This America used to be the norm and its dying. It's very sad but these small independent towns and the people who live in them are the bane of Washington's existence and purpose. They want these towns and the people who live in them to all die, that is not an exaggeration.

    • @MrNilsiboy94
      @MrNilsiboy94 Před 2 měsíci

      Watching out of pure curiosity and this does have its charme, doesn't it? Reminds me of movies like the Goonies and ET. Its a shame most of threse places are so backwards politically.

  • @sarahm3896
    @sarahm3896 Před rokem +262

    Looks like a movie set. Beautiful neighborhood. I’d love to raise my kids here.

    • @jesse_-
      @jesse_- Před rokem +13

      10 years ago, people would have been saying no way!

    • @andrewcasson4035
      @andrewcasson4035 Před rokem +5

      Please don’t, I am sure you do not have anything to offer a “small town” community…

    • @jasonmiller3011
      @jasonmiller3011 Před rokem +16

      @@andrewcasson4035 what a person should offer to live there ? Can u specify

    • @williamsnyder4890
      @williamsnyder4890 Před rokem

      That’s a town is supposed to be this is why people don’t want minorities and illegals moving here they would ruin within a year

    • @pointbreak2811
      @pointbreak2811 Před rokem +2

      What's Eating Gilbert Grape

  • @jamesc.murray5932
    @jamesc.murray5932 Před rokem +92

    You hit the nail on the head, Nick, about Red Oak, Iowa. Nothing's wrong with Red Oak, Iowa!!!

    • @chelseylanee999
      @chelseylanee999 Před rokem

      bullshit😂

    • @nathanbush6781
      @nathanbush6781 Před rokem

      My AT&T cell phone doesn’t work in Red Oak, LOL. Dealbreaker!

    • @mkim4091
      @mkim4091 Před rokem

      @@nathanbush6781 Verizon is mostly used there no?

    • @jamesc.murray5932
      @jamesc.murray5932 Před rokem

      ​@@nathanbush6781Sounds like a personal problem/off-topic/a feeble attempt at humor.

    • @billgibson2418
      @billgibson2418 Před rokem

      Yes there is ITS TO COLD!!!

  • @jesusmarywillsaveyou
    @jesusmarywillsaveyou Před 10 měsíci +12

    White, 35yo male from Johannesburg, South Africa. This vid of Iowa filled me with great envy. I would love to live in small town communities in America where everyone is on the same page, working together to keep society grounded and safe. You guys are blessed, don’t take for granted. Always impressed by traditional American work ethic and family values. Godspeed

    • @ronv6637
      @ronv6637 Před 5 měsíci +3

      Southern border wide open,if your willing to support yourself you would be welcome

    • @lumenvitae4215
      @lumenvitae4215 Před měsícem +1

      I'm from North Iowa and we often have White South African Farm Labourers come over and work for the summer and harvest. They make pretty good money. Look into a program like that and you can come and visit for yourself and make good money while doing it. People will enjoy having you around greatly! Yahn and Gert (two south Africans who work here) are local legends!

    • @robertdagit4315
      @robertdagit4315 Před 11 hodinami

      Crazy leftists are trying to ruin the rest of the country sadly

  • @chunter123
    @chunter123 Před rokem +11

    Iowa is extremely underrated if you desire safe environment, clean cities, and friendly citizens.
    Des Moines is legit nice town

  • @SvetlanaVoikova
    @SvetlanaVoikova Před rokem +75

    I really liked this town. Lots of trees, everything is neat and clean.
    But what surprises me is that I don't see people on the street.
    Watching from Russia, Novosibirsk (Siberia).

    • @tidathery9787
      @tidathery9787 Před rokem +9

      Hello, From South East Asia perception I Do Not see Diversity. I also live in a small town
      East of San Francico Bay and 18% of populations are Bilingual. I like it here. It's a peaceful town.🤫

    • @deebojones2777
      @deebojones2777 Před rokem +1

      @@tidathery9787
      Dublin?

    • @tommysheehan8707
      @tommysheehan8707 Před rokem +11

      I have the same,, with a girlfriend from USA,,,,,visa problems for both of us,,, I live in Europe where nobody locks their doors when we go out,,,, we can only be together three months in each others countries in any one year,,,,, but we walk the towns and mingle,,,, was a shock for me when I realized nobody walks in America

    • @ivangrozniy1564
      @ivangrozniy1564 Před rokem +12

      People usually drive their automobiles if going more than 1 city block. 🙂

    • @willieadams3890
      @willieadams3890 Před rokem +3

      ​@@tommysheehan8707 Crime is very high here and people have more than one lock on their doors

  • @EricaL2024
    @EricaL2024 Před rokem +26

    I got stuck behind a tractor yesterday in rural NC. I enjoyed it. My doggie was enjoying the view and the weather. Most rural towns look the same.
    Our town doesn’t have much going on at all.

  • @vanzarockin
    @vanzarockin Před rokem +77

    Downtown Red Bluff is straight out of a movie set. What a beautiful little town that seems ideal for raising a family. There are not many places left where blue collar workers can raise a family and afford a good standard of living. I hope their town continues to flourish.

    • @marksmith296
      @marksmith296 Před rokem

      Where are these blue collar workers going to work? Most of these folks sold out for equity and paid cash to retire. It would be a 1950s dream come true to move into small town USA but there isn't opportunity to get a head. And young people don't want to live in a washed community.

    • @birdlynn417
      @birdlynn417 Před rokem +3

      Red Bluff, California? That's not what I have seen or heard.

    • @norki.e
      @norki.e Před 11 měsíci +2

      red bluff is awful

  • @funkjazz6625
    @funkjazz6625 Před rokem +17

    I am glad there is a place in US that is not ridden with homeless people and is pleasant to live in because people support each other. That is how the whole World should be ❤

  • @QueenB572
    @QueenB572 Před rokem +58

    I raised my kids in Davenport Iowa. As soon as the kids got out on their own, I couldn’t wait to leave. Now after living in Mesa AZ for 37 years, I can’t wait to get outa here! Homelessness and fentanyl are everywhere! If it wasn’t for the snow, I’d move back in a heartbeat!

    • @brandonanderson5075
      @brandonanderson5075 Před rokem +6

      37 years ago Mesa/Gilbert was small compared to today. Mesa 150k population 1980's. It was nice to be able to go dove hunting pretty much everywhere. I was raised there. It had a small town feeling to it back then. Like Gilbert did. As soon as the orange groves and corn fields got demolished it was a free for all with the building. I can see why you chose Mesa back then. We lived down the street from the Iowa Cafe and went all the time.

    • @barano9729
      @barano9729 Před rokem +5

      Becky you can most certainly move back now since Iowa eliminated taxes on retirement income. While they won’t touch your pension, 401k or SSI, Iowa will still want a piece of the interest on your savings and or brokerage accounts and other stuff too.

    • @redstickham6394
      @redstickham6394 Před rokem +7

      Interesting. I had a college professor once who said in American we throw everything away, even our cities.

    • @RobertCHRoy
      @RobertCHRoy Před rokem +8

      Snow keeps out the riff-raff maybe?

    • @user-eu3qy8uf7f
      @user-eu3qy8uf7f Před rokem +5

      I remember Mesa back in the mid eighties. It was the go-to place and rapidly growing. But almost rural. Gilbert too. Now the whole place is exactly as you said. A hot mess!!!

  • @weeziepuff13
    @weeziepuff13 Před 10 měsíci +2

    What a lovely little town! I just got back from a road trip and passed through many small towns. It's really tempting to take a serious look at relocating to a place like this. Elaine was super nice and informative!

  • @SidLaw500
    @SidLaw500 Před 22 hodinami

    The vibe in some of these midwest towns is magical. You can feel the big city tension drain out of your body.

  • @Swizzy19891
    @Swizzy19891 Před rokem +90

    Beautiful Town. Literally the heart of America

    • @Champwsox05
      @Champwsox05 Před rokem +7

      I really like what I see here and other places of similarity. I am looking at moving out of Illinois.

    • @valsyaranamual6853
      @valsyaranamual6853 Před rokem +2

      Looks well kept.

    • @herbertvonzinderneuf8547
      @herbertvonzinderneuf8547 Před rokem

      i.e. dead

    • @person-ce8cr
      @person-ce8cr Před rokem +3

      ​@Champwsox05 lot of small towns in Illinois too. Illinois is more than just chicago and the burbs

    • @catamountmpls
      @catamountmpls Před rokem +3

      @@person-ce8cr Exactly... Illinois has a ton of small towns with great prices on homes.

  • @xnihilo64
    @xnihilo64 Před rokem +23

    I grew up in Florida and spent my teaching career in So. Cal. Moved to Iowa to escape Kali last July. So far I'm diggin' it! Even faired okay for the winter.
    An avid motorcyclist I look forward to exploring small-town Iowa this spring.

  • @joesprague1464
    @joesprague1464 Před rokem +9

    Nick, you’re right.We need more Red Oak towns in this country.A fine example of what life could be like.Thanks for sharing.

  • @johngalt2506
    @johngalt2506 Před rokem +23

    My wife and I moved to Iowa last year from Nevada. Not to a small town though. We're 5 miles outside a VERY small town. Our nearest neighbor is a mile down the gravel road. We LOVE it. Surrounded by miles of corn fields. Its peaceful, the people are friendly, I just can't imagine living any other life. And yes, Iowa nice really is a thing.

    • @ericscott5224
      @ericscott5224 Před rokem +6

      You have described my grand parents farm outside of Union, IA, At night, the moonlit view from the front porch across the corn fields was like looking out across water. The gently rolling landscape mimicked the rising and falling swells of a calm sea. In the distance, atop the next rise of the land, the lights from the neighboring farm appear to be a ship at sea. This impression is reinforced by the sound the wind makes rustling the corn fields.
      During the day the 100 year old elm trees (how they survived I'll never know) kept the house shaded. The sound of wind rustled corn fields was replaced by the squeaky metal propeller of the water pump atop it's tower.
      But it was the cloud of dust in the distance that herald the arrival of a visitor. The dust cloud gets larger as the stil unseen auto approaches.
      The house was Gothic Revival in style with pointed arched windows! Unbelievably it was painted a dark shade of eggplant with trim painted a pale yellow.
      My grandparents did not farm, my great grand parents did and this was their farm. Somewhere in the 1950's, since no family was interested in actually farming my grand father sold the whole thing - house, outbuildings, the land, the whole works to a commercial agricultural company with the agreement that the farmhouse would be leased back to them until they both were dead. In 1996 my grandmother died 4 months after my grandfather did. And when that happened, the house reverted back to the commercial agricultural company.
      They proceeded to burn the house and all the out buildings to the ground and plowed the ashes into the soil.
      The only thing left to indicate there was a farm is the windrow. Yes, the elms were felled, too.
      I have vivid memories and PHOTOS of the farm house; I last visited it in 1990, in my early thirties, when I brought my Swiss boyfriend to show him a different America.

    • @johngalt2506
      @johngalt2506 Před rokem

      @@ericscott5224
      Perfectly said.
      Although we're getting hammered by a thunderstorm right now.

    • @ericscott5224
      @ericscott5224 Před rokem +1

      ​@@johngalt2506 As a child, living in Mason City I remember the thunder would shake the house. And how, in mere moments, a clear sky could darken as the storm front moved through. At times the clouds turning an ominous dark, olive green color. We'd pray it ws not a harbinger of something worse.

    • @johngalt2506
      @johngalt2506 Před rokem

      @@ericscott5224
      I grew up in earthquake country so I'm definitely nervous about tornadoes

    • @johngalt2506
      @johngalt2506 Před rokem

      I'm in Mason City often, I live outside Bristow.

  • @KCFromTheIE
    @KCFromTheIE Před rokem +155

    I love these types of videos on small towns Nick! No one can tel it like you do!❤

  • @ericm7572
    @ericm7572 Před rokem +104

    These may not get the same number of views as the dystopian ones you make but both are important to see. Keep up the good work Nick.

    • @NickJohnson
      @NickJohnson  Před rokem +13

      I know eric

    • @houseofhas9355
      @houseofhas9355 Před rokem +4

      This was important video. Made me want to find the balance of a small town with close by job markets. I'm tried of living in Boston with the hellscape of big cities. Been feeling this way for years. Get away from the cities and live in a small town. But my income stays the same.

    • @tommulholland9955
      @tommulholland9955 Před rokem

      @@NickJohnson Hi Nick, you had me in your "Unboxing Iowa" video for quite a while. My grocery store in Malvern, IA burned down 16 months ago,but the rebuild will be coming soon. Search CZcams for "They Came From All Over", a documentary coming out soon about my efforts! I would love to hear from you!

    • @NickJohnson
      @NickJohnson  Před rokem +1

      Email me Tom! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail

  • @vicdemone7020
    @vicdemone7020 Před 11 měsíci +1

    You’re probably not the only one, but the only one that I really pay attention to. Your cliff note dissection of America is very interesting. Upon the realization that a positive video is very rare. I actually shared this one a few times. Just realized that I have many friends that, need to see these. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

  • @Tangerinetaco
    @Tangerinetaco Před měsícem

    This is great content! ❤️ It’s lovely to see that there are small towns in America that are filled with people wanting to help others and that they’re so friendly. ☺️

  • @celticfiddle7605
    @celticfiddle7605 Před rokem +20

    Pretty little town! I love neat and clean towns. People are looking for a safe town to raise children.

  • @pamelamays4186
    @pamelamays4186 Před rokem +9

    Red Oak makes me think of the 1980's John Mellencamp hit song " Small Town."

  • @240252
    @240252 Před rokem +54

    I lived in Iowa City for almost 2 years in early 1990s and absolutely loved that time of my life. I lived in a quiet suburb in a big barn furnished comfortably for living and was able to make valuable friendships that continue to this day. The good university and comfortable campus, many well-known academics contracted there, and the friendly not cocky atmosphere. Sometimes even now I make virtual trips back to my good old Iowa City to walk the streets there again.

    • @corneliastreet2491
      @corneliastreet2491 Před rokem +4

      I will say, we have a joke around here that Iowa City is one of the least Iowa parts of Iowa. 😂 over half of the people there are even from the Chicago suburbs. But it is a lovely place.

    • @vgshwk
      @vgshwk Před rokem

      Joes place, deadwood and johns grocery still there.

    • @aaronrodgers9202
      @aaronrodgers9202 Před rokem

      ​@@vgshwk yes Joe's place is still there my uncle manages it.. I was born and raised in iowa city but live in Houston now

    • @MekareP
      @MekareP Před rokem +2

      What Iowa City did you live in?! I lived there through the 90s as a kid and it was awful. It was expensive, people were assholes, police were assholes (I even knew this as a kid) and it was too busy even then because of the University.

    • @vgshwk
      @vgshwk Před rokem

      @@MekareP Iowa City

  • @djanthony6662
    @djanthony6662 Před rokem +1

    I keep coming back to this because of that house @ 3:13, absolutely georgeus. Thank you for the presentation!

  • @mrheck5311
    @mrheck5311 Před rokem +59

    Irish viewer here. Red Oak is a lovely town especially compared to most others on your channel. Let's hope all those big city folk don't try to change the conservative nature of these small towns.

    • @antonchigurh3794
      @antonchigurh3794 Před rokem +12

      Exactly.

    • @loosilu
      @loosilu Před rokem

      Keep them poorly educated, closed minded, and hateful.

    • @sixchuterhatesgoogle3824
      @sixchuterhatesgoogle3824 Před rokem +2

      @@loosilu Look who's being prejudiced.

    • @SashaBurgess1933
      @SashaBurgess1933 Před 11 měsíci +4

      Let's be honest, it's the demographics that make the difference. Think of how Ireland was before the migrants.

    • @chienandy5958
      @chienandy5958 Před 10 měsíci

      @@SashaBurgess1933 The entire west has been destroyed by the Kalergi plan. Supported by WEF and UN.

  • @MOON_KID
    @MOON_KID Před rokem +68

    Elaine sure was a great representative for her town. It looks wonderful there. 1 hour to Omaha and 2 hours to Des Moines. I appreciate this look into rural Iowa life

    • @decacards5250
      @decacards5250 Před rokem +6

      Visited both, driving from NYC, nice quite towns and lots of cornfields.

    • @azerko
      @azerko Před rokem +4

      I also think she had a very balanced insightful comments

    • @midnighttrain7844
      @midnighttrain7844 Před rokem

      yeah she so pretty

  • @jimanderson1589
    @jimanderson1589 Před 11 měsíci +2

    This is the first time I have seen your podcast. I enjoyed seeing this idyllic town in Iowa. In this time of so much unrest in the world it's really nice to know that a place like Red Oak exists. Thank you. 😊

  • @jackielenarz6334
    @jackielenarz6334 Před rokem +1

    I lived in Red Oak for a short time. It is everything Nick described and more! Love that little town.

  • @JB-sg1vy
    @JB-sg1vy Před rokem +16

    Well, it is 95%White and everyone goes to church and believes in God so of course it is safe!

  • @John-kx3ng
    @John-kx3ng Před rokem +5

    I went from living in a large city to a small town and will never go back. On every level its a much better.

  • @brianfuller757
    @brianfuller757 Před rokem +3

    I'm glad places like this still exist. I still live in small town California and I want to return to Louisiana. Thanks for letting us know that small town America still exist. Thanks for

  • @BoydXplorer
    @BoydXplorer Před rokem +2

    Interesting road trip around Small Town in Iowa USA. Beautiful and clean surroundings. It gives me an idea what the place looks like in actuality. Tnx4sharing 👍

  • @robsonfernandodepaula4113

    I’m from Brazil and I’ve been in IOWA for the last twenty years. Enjoying the country side and many small towns

  • @oldmanvic
    @oldmanvic Před rokem +44

    Nick small town is full of really nice folks .moved from a third world country back in early 90’ to a little town, and I would say I am truly blessed to be here in wonderful USA . Treat people with respect, you will get same back to you ..

    • @jasonmiller3011
      @jasonmiller3011 Před rokem +2

      Nice man . I am from a 3rd world country too . I came to USA in early 2000s . Love it here . Which country u r from BTW ?

    • @jamesrecknor6752
      @jamesrecknor6752 Před rokem +3

      Now many of us from USA are retiring in Philippines and Thailand

    • @jasonmiller3011
      @jasonmiller3011 Před rokem +3

      @@jamesrecknor6752 dumb idea to retire in a country where default way of life is corruption

    • @oldmanvic
      @oldmanvic Před rokem +1

      @@jasonmiller3011 Mexico

    • @truth4004
      @truth4004 Před rokem

      @@jasonmiller3011 And you think it isn't here? The former president just got indicted. and much more to come. The NRA pays off the republicans thats why we lose children daily in mass shootings.

  • @nvs4u2
    @nvs4u2 Před rokem +19

    Another great video and a great location. Small town Midwest has many hidden gems. Pride in community and keeping it tight knit is the formula, along with good local jobs. Take care!

  • @CassiaMdB
    @CassiaMdB Před 11 měsíci +9

    I love this video! I think I would happily live in a town like this in the USA. I’m from a small town like this in Brazil. When I was younger, I didn’t like living in a small town so I moved to a bigger one. After the pand3mic I came back to my hometown to be with my parents and now I love it here! Love the calmness, the safety and slow living.

  • @aknudsen93
    @aknudsen93 Před rokem +38

    My mom grew in a small town in NE Iowa. I grew up outside of Chicago, but I feel as though a large part of my values and who I am come from my parents and my Grandma Williams and Iowa. The beauty of NE Iowa is amazing. We lost my grandma in 2008 and I miss her so much. What I also miss about Iowa is the complete genuineness of the people. When you have a conversation people are listening and it's meaningful. People are interested in you, whether you like it or not, I like it. I'm from the midwest and Iowa is the only place where on countless occasions you hear of people helping others out not to get anything but just because they can help. I haven't been back to my mom's hometown but am hoping to go back one last time to relive some memories and to say goodbye.

    • @movieswithmatticus5469
      @movieswithmatticus5469 Před rokem +2

      Values like not liking black people?

    • @richardjohnson1261
      @richardjohnson1261 Před rokem +6

      @@movieswithmatticus5469 I live in Marshalltown IA and we have a very ethnically diverse community including "black people". There is a deep rooted community feeling to this place. Your comment is ill-spoken and uninformed. Personally, I find your comment very offensive. You should not make sweeping statements about things you know nothing about.

    • @movieswithmatticus5469
      @movieswithmatticus5469 Před rokem +1

      @@richardjohnson1261 Why did you put black people in quotation marks?

    • @antpart7998
      @antpart7998 Před rokem

      @@movieswithmatticus5469 gtfo

    • @tonygrunt
      @tonygrunt Před 11 měsíci +1

      @@movieswithmatticus5469 I am also from a small town in NE Iowa. We don't have black, brown, white, green, purple or whatever other color neighbors, we have a COMMUNITY where everyone are neighbors and are always willing to help out each other. Skin color doesn't mean a thing around these neck of the woods, its all about being a good person. We all work side by side and wave hi to each other when passing by, we have gatherings where we invite all of our neighbors. You will find us Iowan's in every position of society from the nice cleaning person to the mayor to the local doctor/dentist/nurse, regardless of race, color, creed or gender, we are all inclusive. “Iowa is God's country”

  • @JamesTyreeII
    @JamesTyreeII Před rokem +44

    I fell in love with Bluffton Ohio, which is a small village in northwest Ohio in Allen county because it’s still got a thriving main street with beautiful buildings and the houses are in good shape and have different areas and styles including multiple Victorian houses and I can tell that the community has taken Pride and great effort to keep the village looking like it’s thriving. I am attracted by the same qualities in red Bluff Iowa because you can tell that it’s not dying and that it is keeping itself revitalized without having to change into some kind of modern version of its former self. I think that’s what makes these small villages and towns and cities so attractive… When they invest time and money into keeping up, what was built before the 1950s

  • @raziax9603
    @raziax9603 Před rokem +13

    Small towns like this give me a warm nostalgic feeling. I've never visited this place, yet it seems so familiar somehow.

  • @secret4764
    @secret4764 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Living in a small town is very happy. ❤️ People are always talking with each other.

  • @AnotherTruth
    @AnotherTruth Před rokem +1

    Real and nice people. A nice community. Great places to support. Shopping local seems easy.

  • @dennisestabrooks4821
    @dennisestabrooks4821 Před rokem +8

    As a truck driver our company picks up in Oskaloosa IA every week ,I love this small town, friendly folks everywhere you go !

  • @deepakgogoi5975
    @deepakgogoi5975 Před rokem +17

    Loved watching the documentary and the way you presented it. Fascinating for someone like me from a far away country

  • @chrispickerel2034
    @chrispickerel2034 Před 21 dnem +1

    I grew up on the other side of the state in southeast Iowa. While my hometown is twice the size of Red Oak, it was pretty much that way when I was growing up. Big, old homes, most well maintained, you knew everybody, kids rode their bikes everywhere, and you could walk around any time of the day or night, and no one would bother you.

  • @user-sw5pi5sh7i
    @user-sw5pi5sh7i Před rokem

    Thanks Man! That video made me homesick. Fifty years ago I was growing up in a small town in MI. Which looked exactly like that... clean,spacious,MAINTAINED!!! Used to be alot of places like that! Big BIG Sigh.

  • @malakhrichardrollins490
    @malakhrichardrollins490 Před rokem +4

    I love how Nick narrates his tours. I love his Podcast. And I love all the old crumbling towns he visits. It's all good.

  • @j.g.007
    @j.g.007 Před rokem +8

    This is so refreshing. I wish I could just go outside and meet such nice people like this. Haha, your song Nick 😂 lol you're the best! ❤

  • @FrankWaltersLovestoteach
    @FrankWaltersLovestoteach Před 10 měsíci

    My grandparents lived in Red Oak. Them, and all of their Swedish relatives who came over the Atlantic from Sweden and settled here in this wondefully nice town. Thank you for doing a well-rounded and positive video. It was wonderful to watch. Thank you!!!

  • @SynchronicityScenario144

    I love your songs. The lyrics and timing are impeccable.

  • @robertnielsen5434
    @robertnielsen5434 Před rokem +7

    I'm new to this channel and I just gotta say I love it, this guy cracks me up!

  • @kabirbroadcasting
    @kabirbroadcasting Před rokem +2

    Very beautiful town. The best part is how Eline was proud of her community. Very nice video

  • @TalliesbyDee
    @TalliesbyDee Před rokem +4

    Happy to see towns like this still exist.

  • @AngstG
    @AngstG Před rokem +9

    Love this... what a beautiful small town!!!

  • @phraydedjez
    @phraydedjez Před rokem +7

    The main street looks like an empty film set. This channel is a great way to have a look into whats going on over there in the U.SofA. cheers

  • @albertlopez1562
    @albertlopez1562 Před rokem +1

    Nice small town very peaceful and simple life. Love it.

  • @blackconservative6362
    @blackconservative6362 Před rokem +2

    My brother is a 18 wheel driver who has to go through big cities all the time and he loves coming home to his small town. He says it’s like coming home to peace of mind and safety ❤️❤️❤️

  • @charleshaggard4341
    @charleshaggard4341 Před rokem +11

    I liked seeing this town and it has some "salt of the earth" type people. This lady is a great ambassador for Red Oak. Every town needs someone like her.

  • @rayvilla1
    @rayvilla1 Před rokem +37

    I can only dream about this. I'm in my 60s. Lived in SF for 30 years. I'm ready to chill in a small town such as this. Imagine that no noise, fresh air and hopefully open minded folks.

    • @JJM_PNW
      @JJM_PNW Před rokem +2

      If you own a home, cash it in and make it happen. Life is too short. Be happy

    • @jeffb321
      @jeffb321 Před rokem +5

      We welcome you as long as you DONT come here and vote DEMOCRAT!

    • @ok_but_why
      @ok_but_why Před rokem +4

      ​@@jeffb321 Real open minded folks

    • @wendyhack8644
      @wendyhack8644 Před rokem +1

      Open minded 😂

    • @jeffb321
      @jeffb321 Před rokem

      @okbutwhy3803 Why would you want to live around people who aren't in the same mindset that you yourself are? Difference in opinions are some of the biggest socialite obstacles.

  • @silla.1902
    @silla.1902 Před rokem +1

    Beautiful. It looks like that painting by Hopper, Early Sunday Morning.

  • @cynthiahansen691
    @cynthiahansen691 Před rokem +2

    My dad was born in Charter Oak, Iowa. I have fond memories of visiting my grandparents for a summer there. We were never bored. Now I'm thinking I may retire there and let the grandkids I have in So Cal come visit me for the summer.

  • @marksmith4582
    @marksmith4582 Před rokem +4

    Thank you Nick! It’s been too long since I was last over through Red Oak. However I do remember driving through there on my way to Omaha once several years ago now. It reminds me of where I live in Washington over in southeast Iowa. We’re about 7300 people and just 32 miles from Iowa City. Yep you definitely visited the American Heartland! Thank you for sharing this! Us midwesterners aren’t all that bad after all! Keep these videos coming please. Mark in Iowa.

  • @SpicyKimchi-
    @SpicyKimchi- Před rokem +121

    I always wondered what life would be life living in a small town…life seems so simple, needs are so basic, maybe it’s the smarter way to life.

    • @yaiburanakul8505
      @yaiburanakul8505 Před rokem +13

      It seems to be the wave of the future.

    • @heatherdawn545
      @heatherdawn545 Před rokem +10

      It’s definitely nice but prolly an acquired taste for many if they like more or different activities.

    • @tidathery9787
      @tidathery9787 Před rokem +2

      @@yaiburanakul8505 Not really, It's been happening for quite a while for me personally.

    • @PelosiStockPortfolio
      @PelosiStockPortfolio Před rokem +13

      I grew up in one. Its boring as hell after you move on from the "riding bicycles with your friends" phase. If you are over 20 and single it would really suck, since everyone gets married at 18.

    • @SpicyKimchi-
      @SpicyKimchi- Před rokem +17

      Oh we’re way past the socialite phase, we’ve done more than 25+ years in Miami, NYC, Seattle, and other major cities. We’re in our 40s now, looking to extend our money for an early retirement, more quiet, more peace, slower paced, cheaper cost of living, safe, friendly faces open spaces. We need very little in our lives to be content and happy, that’s why we’ve been thinking of small towns.

  • @chrisbee9643
    @chrisbee9643 Před rokem +1

    I am German and just saw a lovely little town called Red Oak in Iowa!!! Its awesome!!!

  • @samseven5260
    @samseven5260 Před rokem +2

    Good job! Debauchery and criminality is what passes for fun in big cities now. Happy in my town of 900. Glad to be from Seattle.

  • @raycheljeanne
    @raycheljeanne Před rokem +4

    I’m from and love small-town Iowa but have lived on the west coast for 93% of my life. I just bought a house there and I’m so excited! Love these videos!

  • @susan5301
    @susan5301 Před rokem +7

    I was born and raised in the Midwest and I wouldn't live anywhere else, briefly lived in California and couldn't wait to get out of there! The city I'm in now is around 90,000 and it's just perfect. Nothing better than feeling safe!! 💋

  • @nomadicyoutube
    @nomadicyoutube Před rokem

    Nice video highlighting the benefits of living in a small, rural town with the right amount of humor. Your "Small Towns" song is BRILLIANT.

  • @Intuitive1
    @Intuitive1 Před rokem +1

    Looks like comfortable & simple living. Perfect for the retired. I think that it looks stunning, all of that land. The stores look fantastic. The houses are so quaint.

  • @timhuwaldt3213
    @timhuwaldt3213 Před rokem +5

    I grew up in a small Iowa town. Definitely miss it.

  • @BB-yh5rd
    @BB-yh5rd Před rokem +6

    Nice double line pass, dude. Been and lived in major cities all over the place in America and elsewhere, middle of nowhere, Iowa, are my favorite types of places to be.

  • @dcorrell
    @dcorrell Před rokem

    Love these types of videos. MN born raised, spent some time in the south, until recently a decade + in San Diego, and currently staying in the PNW while overcoming an injury. Think I'm ready for some small town Mayberry living

  • @robertsmith-zz7ot
    @robertsmith-zz7ot Před rokem +5

    My grandparents lived just north of Red Oak in another small town, Atlantic.
    Not much to do in the way of shopping & dining but more outdoor things such as fishing, camping, swimming. etc...
    I would visit in the summers. A lot of bbq. Small town livin' is not bad at all.

  • @doylebrockman8225
    @doylebrockman8225 Před rokem +3

    I became small town fan after 15 yrs. In a larger city.

  • @kenmows4u338
    @kenmows4u338 Před rokem +3

    Absolutely Love the neighborhoods around 3:30, would move there in a heartbeat.

  • @cindyhammond7320
    @cindyhammond7320 Před rokem +1

    You have made me so homesick! Red Oak is my dads hometown and I go back every time I can . The Rainbow was in the family for years, The Williams Pool Hall is still family and it's just the best. Junction Days at the end of June is the greatest. You visited the best, seeing the water tower come in to view as you drive down the hiway is the highlight!

  • @ddeenis77
    @ddeenis77 Před rokem +1

    Nick’s commentary is too funny 🤣🤣🤣love the vids especially small towns in middle of nowhere, reminds me of back home in Eastern Europe ❤

  • @sergeimoor6400
    @sergeimoor6400 Před rokem +6

    So nice to see places like that, THIS is what real America is!

  • @ItsaRomethingeveryday
    @ItsaRomethingeveryday Před rokem +7

    As someone who lives in a rural Iowa town of 128, We love it here, sure its a half hour drive to the nearest big city, but its something we are used to, same with going to work, the trade off of living rural to big city is worth it, less crime, lower housing costs, its quiet well kept and nice
    Come visit Clearlake and mason city iowa

    • @LuckyK7777
      @LuckyK7777 Před rokem

      Mason City? Home of one of the most notorious crimes in America. The disappearance of TV reporter Jody Husentruit.

  • @tstouder
    @tstouder Před 7 měsíci

    that looks a lot my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
    still miss it and when we go back to visit, it just seems very stress-free.

  • @kcoers
    @kcoers Před rokem +2

    I come from one of those small towns in central Illinois and I love it!

  • @kokonana4086
    @kokonana4086 Před rokem +10

    What makes this Iowan town great is not merely a good old mid-century building & house itself, but a true American spirit of the people who live there.

    • @daytradespy8878
      @daytradespy8878 Před rokem

      white people. non-whites don't have towns like this

  • @hamsterdiving7593
    @hamsterdiving7593 Před rokem +11

    Just looking at that thumbnail brought back my feeling of depression, lol. I grew up in Minnesota and spent more time in those places than I cared to. Good people, hard-working, but there was always the overwhelming energies of having settled, stuck in a routine, being complacent.
    I thank them all for creating a strong desire in me to not let that be my fate; I moved away as soon as I could!

    • @fromSpringfield
      @fromSpringfield Před rokem +3

      You could also thank them for feeding your face.

  • @PierrePlogoff
    @PierrePlogoff Před 11 měsíci

    Thanks for the visit of this nice town.

  • @kitakitzFarm
    @kitakitzFarm Před rokem +1

    I used to live in TODDVILLE IOWA as a child. I would go back there in a heartbeat

  • @nothat0therguy992
    @nothat0therguy992 Před rokem +52

    I've been watching the housing market in a little town in Northern Michigan for the past eight or so months and in that time period the housing market went from 60+ listings, to 50 listings to now where it's down to less than 30 listings. I'm pretty sure small town life has really caught on here in Michigan and I get why

    • @joshjosh6842
      @joshjosh6842 Před rokem

      Only the tourist and popular places

    • @raudad70
      @raudad70 Před rokem

      No one is selling into these high interest rates if they are sitting at 3%

    • @catamountmpls
      @catamountmpls Před rokem +1

      This is common during winter in northern states. There will be a lot more housing on the market soon.

    • @jeffrobodine8579
      @jeffrobodine8579 Před rokem +2

      Work from home people realized they can actually live in small town America. As large Cities deteriorate I can see a population transfer coming in the long term.

    • @catamountmpls
      @catamountmpls Před rokem +5

      @@jeffrobodine8579 Small towns and small cities across the country will continue to die as young people flee. Especially with the fascism that conservatives are now wielding. Home prices in large cities continue to climb. There's a reason for that.

  • @msudoc
    @msudoc Před rokem +10

    Grew up in a small town in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Very much like this place, but with more scenery and wildlife.
    Cannot wait to retire up there someday - for 8 months out of the year. 😊

    • @genegorringe7395
      @genegorringe7395 Před rokem

      Michigan is the best state in the union GO BLUE Gene Gorringe Mi 💙✌️🇺🇲🇬🇧

  • @joelwycoco1791
    @joelwycoco1791 Před rokem +5

    I love small town people are friendly and respectful, life is simple plus there is no busy street's no traffic and pollution 😊

  • @merrywalsh2809
    @merrywalsh2809 Před rokem +4

    My Dad grew up in Onawa, Iowa, another charming small town on the western part of Iowa. His parents, my grandparents, lived most of their lives there. My grandfather was a dentist. During the Great Depression, he sometimes got paid with chickens and produce. He was drafted into WWII. My dad enlisted and they both ended up in San Antonio, Texas, where my dad met my mom. He fell in love with Texas, and that is where my parents stayed, and where I was raised. Most summers, my parents loaded my brothers and I in the station wagon, and we drove for three days up the plains to our grand destination of Onawa, to see our grandparents in the 1950s. Seeing Red Oak, Nick, made me tear up. It is just like I remember Onawa in the 50s to 70s. I hadn’t thought about the place in years, my grandparents and dad are gone now, but remember it fondly.