Here's my entire Unboxing America Series: kzfaq.info/sun/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF

I disagree, I’m from Richmond Virginia born and raised. The area nick is driving straight through in the beginning of the video is called the north side/ highland park area of Richmond and is historical. If you do extensive research on the housing market and development in this area it’s being gentrified ( development wise) all over the place. A lot of old historical homes. Besides the last part which is the actual projects lol, so I can’t argue there. But Richmond as a whole is a beautiful clean city. Plus it’s gloomy out if that helps lol.

Man, people in Richmond look out for each other. And in all honesty, even in the hood it’s not bad. You give others respect most of the time you’ll receive respect back.

I kept waiting to see the “terrible” part…

TERRIBLE?? Lmao, I grew up in Richmond. It is pretty TAME now compared to how it was in the 90s. My dad almost got killed by a gang of crackheads on our street back in the 90s. The area you drove through is Brooklyn Park Blvd in the Northside. I live in that area currently. It is rapidly gentrifying. There are beautiful 100 year old homes there that people are constantly flipping. Richmond has a bad reputation, but it is outdated. Things have definitely changed for the better.

Richmond is not a run down city. Every city has parts that are rough. It doesn't characterize the whole city. The Brookland/Highland Park area is full of local businesses thriving, community centers, and large multifamily homes that are worth good money.

Richmond used to be the #1 city of the South. Honestly from most of this video it doesn’t looks too bad, looks nice even.

I love how all the comments recognize how Richmond is actually a hidden gem! Born and raised in the Chesterfield County Suburbs! Can’t wait to return someday.

I'll be honest. As someone from the west coast I have to say that 80% of this video seemed like relatively normal neighborhoods, just old houses. The projects at the end, yeah, that's a little closer to what we're used to seeing but still nowhere near the same crushing vibe to it (although its always sad to see areas with people struggling regardless of how hard). But decent cars, people out walking their kids - honestly, this is pretty relaxed imo.

Very pretty. 80% of Richmond is very peaceful. So many nice sights , eateries, parks and events. Never a dull day. Love it. ❤

Native Richmonders know that Northside (the first 16 minutes shown in the video) really isn’t all as bad as the title makes it out to be. This area in particular is probably the most well known area in the city for gentrification ever since the 2008 Financial Crisis. Take a closer look and you’ll see there are many renovated homes sitting next to averagely maintained ones and even new construction here and there throughout the video. Now the last 5 minutes of the video (Gilpin Court) is the actual hood but isn’t an accurate representation of Richmond as a whole. I’m from Richmond and I think it’s great place to live!

Richmond used to be one of the most dangerous cities in the country back in the 90s. Crime now isn't as bad as it used to be but just like any major city there are still bad areas. Areas near VCU such as the Fan District have undergone gentrification and are fairly safe areas to walk around. Definitely not as bad as cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit. Honestly, Richmond, or RVA as many call it, is the best city on the east coast and such an underrated place that gets overshadowed by other larger cities along I-95 and 85. You don't hear many people from other parts of the country say they want to move to RVA. Despite that, a lot of the suburbs like Short Pump were built up in the last 20-30 years. Also, go Spiders!!

I live in Richmond. The beginning footage shows a neighborhood that is doing really well. Most of the houses have been renovated. Younger professionals have moved in. There is a lot of restaurants and shops opening up. The houses in that area sell for $300,000 and up. The end of the video was when you were driving through the Housing Projects. Those areas have the highest crime and generational poverty. I drive through there all the time delivering UberEats and NEVER had a problem. Whenever I jump out of the car, I say "Hello" to whoever is on the street and they always respond kindly. The murders tend to occur between rival drug dealers and/or disagreements with domestic relationships.

I very much so disagree with this video. I live in Richmond. The area Nick is driving through is known as Northside and Highland Park. This entire area has gone through something called Gentrification. Yes we’re all familiar with that. Lots of younger families aka millennials have moved in and fixed up a lot of the homes in the area. As seeing the younger generation unlike our parents who moved to the suburbs. They want to live in the city. This is a trend in all cities. The main road he was traveling on is called Brookland Park Blvd. Very few vacant businesses now on that street. They’ve replaced the sidewalks, improved street lighting, etc. Now go back about 20 years early 2000s and 90s. Northside and Highland Park had people hanging on the corners day and night, drugs and prostitution all over. This still exist but nothing like back then. This area is actually a pretty nice place to live now. Now the last area you went through is called Jackson Ward also known as Gilpin Court. That area is still ruff. The city wants to tear down those public housing projects and replace them with affordable housing so they say.

For the level of underdevelopment of some neighborhoods that you usually show in other videos, this one doesn't look too bad

Don't believe the hype of this video. With exception of the last 5 minutes, all you see are well maintained homes and gentrification. Clearly, the creator has never seen a truly scary city like Camden, NJ, which I can attest, is as scary at noon as at midnight. I am a native Jersey girl where we have legit scary cities. I live in Richmond now and love it.

I love Richmond Is safe ,cheap , nice and cultural .

I lived in Richmond from 1986-2007. My last 13 years in Richmond I was a delivery driver north of the river for Coca-Cola and south of the river for a Budweiser distributor. To ride around in a vehicle without actually interacting with some of the people who lived in these neighborhoods, especially your tour through the north side represents a mischaracterization of judging a book by the cover. What you are portraying are run down conditions, but what I see compared to other cities are just old neighborhoods but for the most part clean and very few people hanging out. Perpetuating a myth that oh you can just walk down the street and get shot or mugged. Kind of not a fair depiction of everyday life for the people who live congregate and work in this area. I've seen worst neighborhoods in other cities on your videos. But Richmond is a lot better than it was 30 years ago.

I'm from the New York metropolitan area, so... this didn't look that bad to me! The houses were intact and well maintained, as were the lawns and fences surrounding them, nice cars parked in the streets, no trash all over the place, no empty lots full of weeds and rubble, etc. Many of the houses are very large by NY standards and must cost a pretty penny to keep looking good. Even the public housing didn't look derelict, although it's no doubt a high crime area - that just seems to go with public housing everywhere. So THESE are the most dangerous parts of the city? What else you got?

Canadian guy here. This actually doesn't look too bad, most of the housing stock is still intact with some nice old homes, just need a bit of paint and TLC to make them really shine. Not many boarded up/burned out like in some other US cities. . Streets look clean, I saw quite a few businesses. There are many worse places.

Richmond is a nice city. Honestly looking at parts of this, it really wasn't that bad compared to other places you visited. Richmond may not be NW DC, Bethesda MD, or Arlington/Alexandria VA rich. But it is one of the better cities in the mid-Atlantic. Richmond may have bad pockets, but it overall its a great city. A decent arts and music scene, good food, and good people. One of the few places I would seriously consider moving outside of the DC area.

I live here. The roads are pretty consistently bad, some of the industrial areas look pretty seedy, and the housing projects can be scary, but by and large it's not dangerous, just kind of old and in need of upkeep.

Richmond can be really hood, but overall its a really fun city with a lot of good food

Didn’t look terrible to me. Actually some decent neighborhoods. I saw someone with 2x4s strapped to their hood. (Renovations) saw someone helping an elderly in wheelchair across the street. Beautiful 2 story houses with clean yards. A lot of small businesses. Once you got closer to the city you see more project kinda housing. Not so terrible.

Im a Richmond Native and business owner. I absolutely love it here. ❤️

Touring with bands has allowed me to see the entire country…I mean entire. Richmond and Virginia as a whole is the best place for me. Not overpopulated yet. I love the outdoors, the history, the pastures, mountains and forests but especially the people!

I haves lived in Richmond for 40 years. Most of this area is fine during the day. Don’t go there at night. Also never go in or near a housing project anytime. The projects are extremely dangerous.

So glad to see fellow Richmonders stand up for RVA!!! its not that bad.. Gilpin is the hood but there are still far worse places.. I'd like to know where you get the info from as far as the worst of anyplace. Video isn't all wrong but it's not all correct.

I can't tell...all these people fighting to live here!! RVA was one of the top places to move to in the country. RVA is a good city to live in despite what people say. Virginia is a good state to live in, considering the struggle in these harsh economic times. The people are friendly and I love seeing people with all their dogs. Rich with history, architecture, art scene is poppin', murals galore (there is a tour you can take of all the murals around the city). VA is full with talent in music and in sports...D'Angelo, Pharrell, Missy, Timbaland...

I just got back from an extended weekend in Richmond, butting up against the bottom of where he toured here. I walked everywhere and everyone, no matter their appearance, was so incredibly friendly. Don't judge a book by its cover

I have been in a lot of States and Cities, and not sure what the crime level is in these Richmond neighborhoods, but all the houses and yards looked decently maintained, which usually isn't the case in "bad" neighborhoods. The only rundown area I saw was around 16:25 or so...

I've lived in VA my entire life and Richmond, for the most part is very safe. What you presented in the first part of the video were the normal neighborhoods that surround the city. A generic box-farm of low -income housing can always look run down and when you do cram a bunch of people who are mostly down on their luck, it can look a little shady in any city. I'm from Lynchburg and in the 80s, Richmond WAS very dangerous, but it has really changed. I'm not going to piss off other regions of the state by saying who is more dangerous, but I will say that Lynchburg started out with a higher murder increase than any other city.

Okay. So, I lived in Richmond for 5 years. I still own a house there and my wife is from there. There are pockets of bad, but they are not that big and its nothing like Detroit or Philadelphia. Richmond has a lot of really big nice expensive suburbs.

I was born on 2nd Avenue (which he went down). My Grand Parents house was built in 1923. We moved to the West End in 1949. I was 2. The area will eventually be renovated. There were a ton of very nice houses he drove by. It might take some years but it costs so much to be in the better parts of Richmond, the 20 to 40 year olds will need a low price before they move in. This area is near downtown so you can work in the city and live close by in a large, interesting house. The Fan District was not in good shape in the 50s and 60s. Go there now and see what it looks like and check out the prices!!!

I visited Richmond for the first time just before Covid and actually really enjoyed it. Found the city to be the perfect sized, vibrant but not overly congested. The Fan is a cool neighborhood. I will say downtown was somewhat of a ghost town, but the area along the river near the cobblestone streets is beautiful. One of my favorite southern cities.

The neighborhoods looked pretty good to me. I live in Indianapolis and our bad areas are really awful.

You're too funny. Lived all over the east coast and Richmond is one of the most mild cities I've ever been to. I do food deliveries in the projects all the time, and even as a white guy with a nice car I never have an issue. Give respect, show competence, get respect. Pretty damn good sense of community for a town this size, that's for damn sure. It's just an old place and old places look old and beat up. A lot of these properties cost more than new houses in nice neighborhoods

I actually have to come to Richmond's defense on this one. Nick come on man. Richmond is no where near as bad as some of these other East Coast Cities. I work in the City and have for the past 30 years. I grew up in and around Richmond most of my life. Nick after seeing some of these other videos of other East Coast Cities. Richmond really isn't that bad. Plus the section of town that you were in is a little rough but nothing like Philadelphia or some other East Coast Cities. Although it has had its ups and downs it still isn't the worst city on the East Coast. Actually for being as old as it is I think it's not half bad.

Went on a road trip to Boston, and drove through Richmond. It looked like a nice place, especially the downtown.

After living here for now 8 years, this city has come a long way. If this is the worst you could find, well I bicycle these areas and never have had any issues. Allot of these homes in this area are not being sold at $400,000 not that is a crime. Northside RVA has come a long way.

I moved to the North Side from Pittsburgh PA and lived there for years. It was a nice place to live. I walked around every single day. Never had a problem. My neighbors were friendlier than the rest of the city of Richmond.

I live in Richmond and this area in the beginning of the video looks nice because it’s actually hugely being gentrified. The big homes that have gone down are being scooped up by white folk, renovated and being sold for up to $400,000-$500,000. So if this is a dangerous neighborhood they must love it🤔 The area being shown is called Highland Park

People in the comments wondering why no one is outside. It’s still cold here even in April lol. We have bipolar weather. Cold weather shuts the city down. When it’s hot outside everyone is out. Richmond is a hidden gem. Perfect size, surrounding counties/suburbs only a short drive away with good schooling, great mixture of culture and food. You can always find a park/outdoor activity no matter what side of town your on and in the summer lots of festivals and my favorite brown island/the river. This worst part you showed were the projects towards the end of the video. And every city has those. And honestly, Southside is probably the worst part of the city. But even once you cross the bridge to the south it’s still nice areas nearby and in surrounding counties

So besides the whole getting to see what all these places look like which is awesome, another nice thing is how relaxing this is; the calm music in the background while just feeling like you're going for a drive, gives me nice chill vibes.

STARTING TO THINK NICK IS ADDICTED TO DRIVING

That area doesn't look too bad at all. Drive up to Baltimore some time and then tell me about Terrible.

Try Petersburg VA. That place is a little slice of heaven.

Did you know that during the Civil War, Richmond was the capital of the Confederacy?

Through the first 7 minutes all that was shown was a well maintained older neighborhood and lots of very clean recent model vehicles parked on the street. I stopped there.

I used to live there. You actually showed some of the best parts of Richmond.

Been living in Richmond since 2020 living right near shockoe and Manchester, said to be where a lot of things get bad. But the worst I’ve had happen to me in two years is someone try to steal the plates off my car. Besides that, you really don’t see a whole lot of bad besides homeless folk.

Lived in Hillside court and I was 8 yrs old the first time I seen someone get shot. So thankful my mom got us outta there.

Let’s be VERY clear.... GENTRIFICATION is on its way(already starting) to this particular area of Richmond (known as the Northside/highland park) (it has already happened to the inner city) a lot of the homes are black owned still in the northside... they will raise taxes on these properties forcing the elderly or children to sell for dirt cheap... Richmond is known for its rich soil.. they will then do renovations and charge 500,000+ to be able to purchase again.. Richmond is a beautiful city with lots of history and historical homes... I can clearly see the BIGGER picture of videos such as this

I grew up very close to that area 60+ years ago. Used to get my haircuts at the barbershop about a block up from North Ave. towards Chamberlayne Ave. There was an ice cream shop named Woodys on other side of street. Also shopped in the Rexall drugstore on the corner of North Ave. There was a bakery, a butcher shop and Safeway right around the corner. WOW ! What great memories.

I live here right near VCU. You're so wrong. It's a great place to live. A lot of places have crime but the good that has come to Richmond lately definitely makes up for that. You weren't even in the worst area by far. You didn't even hit the southside.... THAT'S the tough area. You stayed in the cleaned up gentrified area. 🤣

Seeing you drive the streets I drive on my commute is wild

It's not the buildings that make for a dangerous neighborhood, it's the people. Fill an area with violent people, you get a violent neighborhood. East & south of the city are the worst. In general, lousy government is speeding Richmond's decline.

I've lived in Richmond all my life, you could jog through here at night and walk the dog. It's pretty safe. This is Northside Highland Park, the least you'd hear is birds chirping or kids playing. Nothing but the working class trying to live life and get some good rest at night.

I’m originally from southeastern MA but have lived in RVA for 5 years and can honestly say this place isn’t bad at all. Of course there’s crime just like every other city, but I wouldn’t say I’ve ever felt unsafe. I think I’d have more of a chance of dying from heat exhaustion in the summer time than from a violent crime.

I am from Petersburg. Born in Fort Lee and raised in Blandford. I lived in a few places in Richmond during the high crime years but I liked the CITY. I live in North Chesterfield Co. now since 1988 which is South Richmond. Like all big cities there are hot spots. Richmond is no different than these other cities. A lot of areas have been rebuilt and look really nice.

I live in Richmond, you didn't show some of the really bad neighborhoods. Most places are very nice and poor doesn't mean dangerous. Please if you are going to be honest and accurate really drive the area and edit it. I know these areas and I have worked in them doing nursing these are that bad. So next time spend the day showing the good and the bad

We moved to RVA in the Fan District 5 months ago after going around the country and deciding where we can settle down for good. We chose Richmond for its city vibe but not like a big city where you can get lost. There's great diversity, the culture is good & a lot of people young and old are either running or biking. There are a lot of places to eat or even just have fun going around the town. You can be on the beach for around 2 hours & also in the mountains.

The older homes look well kept, we had very beautiful historic homes in Asheville, until a few days ago, some one couldn't wait to tear them down, I hope Richmond keeps their old homes.

For the supposed worst area in Richmond, the beginning of the video sure does not show it. Yards and homes seem to be well kept. No graffiti on the businesses. Looks pretty decent. Itʻs been years since I was last in Richmond. Early 70ʻs.

It doesn't look so bad to me. Most of the homes are well cared for. Richmond is a nice medium sized city. I generally try to avoid the projects in most cities, not tour them.

Take a trip around Syracuse you want to see crappy neighborhood's, but make sure you're armed for protection.

I doordash and have done Lyft in these places. It's not that bad usually.

I literally live in the east end, right up where he is driving. Yes there was a time when it was bad, and it’s not perfect, but compared to Detroit or Baltimore, east end is the suburbs.

Here is the concern I have. You drive through a neighborhood, highlighting your intention to show the worst of a neighborhood, but not once did you speak on the beauty found. Did you notice the art on the walls, or the helping nature of people though they don't have much of their own, did you see the gathering of people together to fellowship in peace or did you people sitting on crates? Did you once get out of your car and TALK to anybody that you recorded? What are YOU doing? I wish to know what you are doing to help, because if I cannot help anyone, I will not harm them.

I like to say, I came to Virginia for one my childhood friend weeding , let me tell you coming from New Jersey this place was beautiful drove around some areas i was really impressed...

Lol! You were a block away from my house at one point. North highland park has its crime for sure but nothing worse than other parts of the city. The century old homes and really sweet neighbors have made it a beautiful place to live for the last 4 years

I lived there for 2 years...you drove past the corner store and bus top I used a lot. The library and family dollar were my main spots... I heard how bad it was but didn't see much different than my native Brooklyn NY... however there was and seems to still be a lot of abandoned homes ..

Nicest looking ghetto I've ever seen.

This place looks nice, I’m working in Arkansas ( all state) I buy and sale properties, I bought some houses and I’m selling now, but I’m selling for 6 or 7 thousand dollars each, many properties I can get only 3 or 4 thousand dollars each, here you can see how poor is.

Nick, I haven’t jerked your chain in a while, but having worked in the Gilpin Court area (the “public housing” area towards the end of the video). Gilpin Court has issues, but when I went to work for the local community action agency their offices were is the Saint Luke’s Building in GC, beside I-95 and I lived in an adjoining county and felt safe going to office even late at night. (The St Luke’s Building was the headquarters of Maggie Walker’s bank, which was headed by the first African American female bank President.) That neighborhood was part of the heart of African American culture & economic growth up until I-95 was built, dividing the AA business area from most of the residential area and almost demolished the strong economy in that area. (a side bar is you were a block from where John Marshall the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States is buried). In a prior comment it was stated how many families have moved into North Side due the large number of older large home s that are being restored that are convenient to downtown and the large number of corporate & government jobs. Yes, there are still pockets of poorer housing stock, but this area is no where near the condition it was when I first worked worked in what had been Ms. Walker’s office, even the St. Luke’s Bldg has been restored to its original glory (after we moved out). But overall you did a good job, but had the wrong title.

I've lived here for over 11 years, it's pretty nice. The ruff parts just avoid the courts. Northside isn't that bad.

Nick you need to provide your audience with information as you drive through the city. Those of us not from Richmond have no idea where you are.

As a Virginian and someone who grew up here(Chesterfield). I agree whole heartedly. Richmond is terrible😉 Do NOT move here. There's nothing for you here. STAY AWAY🤣

Do you live in Richmond? That is by far not the most run down part lol and Richmond as a whole hasn't had the reputation of being run down in a while.

Heyyyyy my city and state!! Thx for talking about this Nick 👏👏

i love richmond and the surrounding towns. richmond city neighborhoods are going through big changes! many new or renovated houses are now up in place of the old ones. also, the crime isnt bad at all its very well-maintained. during the video, you dont see anything out of the ordinary as hes driving around. but the roads could use some work.

mom said looks like church hill you were so many miles from my grandmother's and great uncles' homes made me cry seeing it. passing by Maury cementery were many of them are buried, the baseball park my grandpa used to play at he could've gone pro.

Next time ride through Mosby Court Projects, Fairfield Court Projects, Whitcomb Court Projects, and Gilpon Court Projects, Creighton Court. You literally showed houses and not the “hood” in Richmond. Jackson Ward is not as bad as the places I named. Great video! 👍🏽 If you’re going to do it, do it for real.

I actually enjoyed watching the video because it reminded me of some of the routes that I used to drive in those sections of Richmond ... the people always gave me a warm response or even wave when they saw the Coca-Cola man or the Budweiser man passing by they would raise their hands as if they say can I have a sip LOL. One thing I can agree with you have to pick and choose what sections of town you are going to be driving through after dark. But for the most part as far as interaction you get what you give most of the time regardless of what neighborhood you're touring

To get a real feel for the 'dangerous' neighborhoods, redo this drive thru at midnight on a Saturday and concentrate on Creighton Court, Fairfield Court, Gilpin Court, Hillside Court, Mosby Court areas. I think you will see a different world. I also only saw one police car, no ambulances, no fire trucks, no assaults, drug deals or gang activity. Not a good representation of what you were trying to show. Oh and this is not a complaint, I wish it was like this all the time, just an observation.

We lived near Richmond back in the 1970s and I must say that it actually looks better now than it did then. I clearly recall very poor, run down slums all over the east end (Church Hill was the worst back then) and it was poor just north of the downtown area too. We actually had a Richmond Braves baseball game called off early because there was a shooting just behind the back of the stadium. It was very dangerous even then with a murder reported at least a couple nights per week. Now, quite a bit of the rot has sneaked northward and Church Hill is gentrified. The West End was the nicest area.

Based on your previous "worst" this OK! In fact, it doesn't even rate. Camden, McKeesport, Chester, Gary, Detroit on the East, and then there is Oakland, Stockton, Modesto, Bakersfield, and Fresno on the West. Keep it coming. I'm planning my itinerary when I get across from Oz to the US. I'm calling it my 'windows up, doors locked' tour.

You should go to Roanoke, it’s pretty much the city that no one knows exists in America.

Lived in Richmond growing up. 25 yrs. Went to elementary school in the late 70s where they bussed us from Southside over to the projects. Went to school in Jackson Ward. 70s and 80s were rough back then. Tons of crime, minder capital of the US almost every year through the 80s. Things started cleaning up but as I go back now the historical value and cleaned up neighborhoods, great food, bars, diversity and VCU in the Fan all have its place as one of the coolest towns around.

Hi. I'm from the UK and I like watching your videos because I've never been to the US and it's really interesting to see the real America. I do wish though that you would do a bit of commentary as you're driving through places just to make it even more interesting!

Curious what city you live in Nick? What cities you, or anyone would love to live in? I'm tired of Richmond but it'll always be home. I see alot of people naming about 5 worse spots but where is better?

I enjoyed the video. I haven't been to Richmond since 1980. I love all the older homes. It looks nice.

It looks pretty good from my side in UK. I've seen worse in my country. We have crime but it is small pockets of lovely areas. We don't have ghetto area's like the U.S. I'd love to drive around there.

I've always liked Richmond. it and DC are the next major cities east of where I live at in West virginia. Both are about 200 miles as the crow flies. The drives I take there are on some of the most scenic roads in both WV and VA. It's definitely a cool city and one of my favorites close by to visit.

Native Richmonder here-born and raised. I’m afraid this video is not at all an accurate portrayal of Richmond as a whole. It’s just a very small part. North side is a beautiful neighborhood with some beautiful homes. In fact, Richmond has some of the most beautiful historic homes in gorgeous neighborhoods where people renovate the houses instead of tearing them down and building new homes like in some other southern cities. And while Richmond certainly has its rundown areas, it’s not at all what I would describe as a rundown city.

You really focused on the North Side of Richmond and it actually was nice 👍

This is actually Northside/Highland Park. The neighborhood in the end, Jackson Ward and Gilpin Court.

Guys Richmond really is a lovely place. But stay away from Mosby Court, Gilpin Court, and the Hull Street-Forest Hill corridor

I’m surprised there aren’t many people outside. That area’s usually ALWAYS busy when I ride thru there.

I lived there for 7 years and travelled the whole state of Virginia weekly. I have to say I have watched most all your videos and can attest that Virginia does not have all the burnt out homes or factories even in its worst parts.