*I remember visiting my grandma here as a kid and It was actually our getaway. The area was always nice and clean and everyone knew each other. She grew fruits and vegetables in her back yard. It started going down real bad real fast I would say mid 80s. I lived in EC in the early 90s and the amount of crime was outrageous. We drove by there years ago and I couldn't believe it was the same place. There was a feeling of despair and hopelessness. I damn near cried. I'm grateful I made it through. Thx for showing this.*

With each video I watch, I'm continually shocked and amazed at the astronomical decay of cities across the USA, its just unbelievable !

Joe, my husband had open heart surgery in June 2023. At Cleveland Clinic main campus. ICU 35 days, total time there 55 days. We live over in Hillsdale county MI. I slept in my jeep in the parking garage. There is no housing unless your there for a transplant or cancer care. Everywhere is a money trap. I went around a decent bit. Doing laundry, shopping and car repairs. I have to say the Black Community was the nicest friendliest folks to this old 60 yr old white grandma. I regularly went down to poorer sections to do laundry and shop at dollar store. Never had a problem at all. Did treat my hubby to take out a few times when he was better.."Juicy Seafood"..best food, best price. Many like me sleeping in hospital parking due to high prices of hotels. Son and his wife came to visit twice there. We drove downtown. It was beautiful and so quiet during the day.

I was raised in East Cleveland from the 60's to Mid 80's. I was a booming beautiful city. Most people own their homes back then, but the crack epidemic in the 90's started the downfall. Not to mention crooked politicians stealing money from the citizens. Then people like myself left for college, military service and other reasons. The original population got older and most of their children never returned. Then transit people started moving into the area. Its sad to see my old hometown decay in such a way. I pray they one day will become a great city again.

Those crime stats are WAY off because so many who are victims in E Cleveland simply don't report them for they know nothing will be done about it.

My first apartment ever, was an East Cleveland back in 1971. I even remember visiting friends in the high-rise you featured. I also remember how the windows slid open without any covering for safety and a small child fell from a high floor back in 1990. I am in absolute shock and saddened that a community, once so vibrant, has fallen to that level of decay and abandonment.

I haven't seen Euclid Ave. in sixty years. What a travesty! Only three miles away are a couple of the finest museums in the country. Today's tour is just a half-hour bus ride away from where I spent boyhood. It might as well be a planet beyond Pluto. How fortunate are the officials that can pull down six-figure compensation to manage such a failure. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, Joe.

I think it's disgusting how our government can give billions of dollars away to other countries but can't spend a dime on tearing down condemned houses and building new homes for the people.

The local Politicians with the help of many in the local community have worked very very hard to ruin this once great city. What's incredible is this is being played out in countless cities in the US.

The workmanship in those old homes is something that can’t be replicated. I wish more of them could be saved and renovated.

My family moved to EC in 1967 and I grew up there and graduated from Shaw High School in 1985. We had football games at night, girls walked around at night after those games, our HS band was 2nd in the state in 1982, our Lady Birds competed in the state basketball championship in 1982, Darryl Talley went on to play for the Buffalo Bills, and there were plenty of family-owned businesses even after white flight. We had 5 Elementary Schools, one huge junior high school and one high school I mentioned. My elementary school was rebuilt twice and my son attended the same elementary as I did. We had gifted education and other career programs, Police Athletic League summer baseball, and The Chiefs summer football league The drug era ruined our city and, as was stated the corruption of city officials. The “beautiful” homes near the end are located near Forest Hill Park where we STILL celebrate our annual All Class Reunion picnics EVERY Labor Day weekend. I love and miss EC. The former citizenry needs to reinvest in the place that made us who we turned out to be, and that includes me!

It looked that way when I was a little kid in the 80s. There were beautiful homes on one block, then the next was wretched. My grandparent's family home was massive, well kept and a hub of activity. The house immediately to rear was decrepit and full of weeds. It truly did depend on whether your family was employed or not.

More and more cities start to look like a movie set for Escape From New York

My daughter graduated from Case Western. East Cleveland’s poverty and lack of resources is very real.

You were brave and bold to drive through there. I'm from Greater Cleveland so I know how bad it is in East Cleveland.

I'm in Cleveland and MANY years ago YOU WANTED East Cleveland and that would be about over 45 years ago. Across the street from the Huron Apartments at the very beginning of the video was Huron Road Hospital and it's gone now. 3 minutes into the video you pulled up into a corner store and that street that is blocked off with the apartment building, well those building were BEAUTIFUL back int he day. I mean GORGEOUS!! It's very sad to see it now.

This was like a look into the past and how nice this part of Cleveland use to be. It’s a real shame that the city itself is in such a bad financial situation that even they can’t do anything about it. Especially to help out the kids .

I love watching your Chanel. I have learned things I didn't know. Never would have believed things in the US were so bad. I'm 75 . Just am amazed at the trash, poverty & homeless. I'm so blessed to live where I do. Keep up the good work & please stay safe!

The abandoned houses are incredible. You can really see the previous wealth that was there. A lot of those houses would be a million pound in the UK.

East Cleveland...you have a lot of courage going there.

A very interesting and enlightening video. You can really see how lovely these neighbourhoods would have been in the past, some beautiful and unique architecture there. Thanks so much for showing us around, Joe, it's very much appreciated.💚

You can see some people are really trying to keep their homes in nice condition. 😢

I used to live in East Cleveland. City is so corrupt no developer wants to touch it. Bought a cheap house three blocks away in City of Cleveland (proper) and it's not so bad. Fresh pavement, decent schools, and reliable services. I've explored many of those brownstone apartments and phone books would indicate they were abandoned in the late 90's. Great vid as usual!

Been watching your videos for about 6 months. You bring notice to the plight of small town USA. Some of the towns you drive through would scare the hell out of me. This town was once very nice. Love your videos, keep them coming!

Great job, thanks for the tour. Big differences from one street to another. So sad to see what was and what they have become.

Imagine back in the 40s moving into a brand new house with the new house (pain) smell still fresh -- it would be beyond belief if you were told that 75 years later the whole neighborhood would be a crumbling slum. shocking

The City of East Cleveland's proposed budget for fiscal year 2023 is $36 million. The largest portion of the budget, about $17 million, is for the general fund, which supports the city's core services such as police, fire, and public works. Other major spending areas include the community development fund ($5 million), the parks and recreation fund ($4 million), and the library fund ($2 million). High debt: The city has a debt of over $20 million, which is a major financial burden.

I was born in July 1996, in Cleveland! Raised in Lakewood last half of life. The west side is actually more dangerous than the east side, according to other people! I appreciate this video, and I will subscribe to your channel! Hopefully, many more where this came from! God bless you

My best friends wife graduated from Case Western. The blight in East Cleveland is scary..Keep up the good work...Please stay safe Joe, and Nicole..!!

What an amazing video❣️ I’ve watched many as my 96 year old grandmother owned a home on the Hill in East Cleveland. The beautiful area you went to at the end, it’s so nice to see it stands among the incredible poverty here.

This was probably your best video ever. I could feel the emotion in your voice. I could feel you sensing what it was like for these poor people, with no hope.

Those Gorgeous Brick Tudor Style Homes are referred to as "Rockefeller Homes." They all on the National List of Historic Registry ! Stunning !

East Cleveland was thriving back in the 80s and early 90s. Sad to see how it looks today! Go Shaw High!!

This is only the first video I've seen on this channel, but had to comment and give mad props for cruising through EC like this. I know locals that will straight up turn around if they reach that train bridge near Superior (Cle Heights/EC border) and double back on another route rather than risk losing their wallet, car or life at a red light... Massively sad state of affairs.

The winter heating costs for those old mansions must be astounding.

WOW!!! Not sure what to say about all this. I was raised in upper Ohio and have not been back since I was about 6. This is nuts to see what this looks like now. I can't believe the city officials think it is okay to take that much pay while their city is falling down around them. That is not okay, they need to get a grip on reality. Thanks for sharing and you watch out for the "presents" at the bottom of the pot holes, no flat tires. Safe travels

Im from Cleveland, Shaker Height and lived in University Heights and this makes me so sad, because this was a very nice area when I was a kid in the 80's and 90's l used to dance at there community theater!😢😢😢

Ironic how the city has no money but the politicians that destroyed it always get paid.

Some years ago, we spent quite a bit of time in Cleveland, as my son had to get a series of operations at Cleveland Clinic hospital, which isn't very far from the area you visited. We used to like to eat at Tommy's restaurant in Cleveland Heights, and visit nearby Little Italy. One time I was driving around and came across some of the blight you showed here. It's real, and very sad. There are areas close to Interstate 90 that are pretty bad as well

Joe & Nic once again do a very good job of showcasing a city without kicking down. Well done.

Those were some of the most incredible abandoned houses ever. Sad they will probably never be restored.

It kills me seeing those beautiful, magnificent homes abandoned and decaying. Wouldn’t you love to live in a house like that, wow.

Man thank you for this! I've been trying to explain Cleveland to my friends in Vegas but now I can just send this video!

Thanks for stopping nearby, just watched the Gary video and heard you mention my area next so I stuck around. I'm in Cleveland Heights. That building at the beginning I wouldnt say is a "crime hive", and the "road " you went down in front of it has been closed for a while, there has been a large water problem there which keeps tearing it up. There is a really nice park, Forest Hills Park, that is up behind that broken down apartment. There hass been some interesting stuff about it in the news lately because the Cleveland Metroparks were going to take over maintenance and its split between Cle Heights and East Cle, the East Cle side is in limbo at the moment due to some shenanigans. I go on walks and runs through that park on my lunch hour almost every day. The Cle Heights side has the location of the Rockefeller family home. The whole park was donated to the city by the Rockerfellers as long as it remained a public park area. The nicer area you went through towards the end is the Forest Hills District, they've done a good job of keeping their area nice. The Lakeview Cemetery would have been a nice cruise through as well, its a huge cemetery right nearby with lots of well known people buried there like Rockefeller, President Garfield, Elliot Ness and tons more, great place to go running as well. Many fantastic grave stones to view, and part of one of the Avengers films was filmed at the dam in the center of the cemetery.

Used to live in Euclid, Ohio which is just east of East Cleveland. That was 20 years ago and we didn't venture into East Cleveland if we didn't have to. Never at night. If you go there, go armed. Just a warning.

I’m with you Joe, it’s not going to get any better.

I grew up in this city. In this exact area. I seen how the whole value of the city decreased. I walked around in all of the areas in the video growing up. I’m grateful to be healthy and alive!

I lived in Cleveland from 1958 to 1974 was such a good place to live them days. Went back to visit old friend 3 years ago. Will never go back. Poor Cleveland

Cleveland Clinic main campus starts at Euclid and about East 80th. It is massive in itself, and has been rumored that they will slowly buy up the decayed neighborhoods for next to nothing. The crime is rampant in that area as well.

I'm from Clevelands West side. Ohio is a great state and I love it. You happened to drive through the absolute worst neighborhood in Cleveland. My girl is from there. Her and all of her family left 20 years ago. Hopefully East Cleveland can make a comeback

Ok…thanks for showing East Cleveland. I grew up there, went to school there and lived there until I married in 1995. I am white and the street I lived on in EC there were only myself and another white family living there. The city was redlined about in 1970. It went from maybe 80% white to 80% black in 1-2 years. It was nobody’s fault except maybe the real estate people. To be honest the housing stock was pretty old and the baby boom generation was moving on after finishing school down there. It was a great place to grow up. Everything was within walking distance and the schools were excellent into the 70s. Like I said the housing stock was old. The house I lived in was built in 1890. You really need deep pockets to maintain those houses. But what really hurt the city was the politicians that came into office. Apathy allowed pure, out and out crooks to hold office. Mayor after mayor allowed the city to rot deeper and deeper. You opened with the site of the high rise. It’s on Terrace Rd. Opposite the building on the other side of Terrace was a Cleveland Clinic Hospital. It was a rather large hospital once called Huron Rd Hospital. CCF (Cleveland Clinic Foundation) decided to close it about 10 years ago. The city protested but the city and CCF came to a deal. CCF threw money at the city and who knows who got what but it’s gone now. As recently as this summer Cleveland Metro Parks was going to lease the EC portion of Forest Hill Park because the EC side is like the rest of EC. EC Council members blew the deal up and CMP backed out. And for the record…Forest Hill Park sits in EC and Cleveland Heights and this was a donation to both cities by John D. Rockefeller Jr. And within this park at a top of a hill in the park on the EC side is where John D. Rockefeller Sr. Had a giant mansion that burned down in 1917. In JDR’s day the park consisted of his mansion, his golf course, his boat house and lake, his horse stables and trails within the park. And for the record, Millionaires’ Row was closer to downtown Cleveland between East 55th and downtown. You were right though, it was on Euclid Ave. I hope that clears it up a little. While here and just on the western border of EC you would have Lake View Cemetery. You could make a great video there. It’s a beautiful cemetery and former arboretum of Cleveland. There you would have found the aforementioned J.D. Rockefeller and family graves. You would also find the mausoleum of President James Garfield. Also buried there is Alan Freed, Elliot Ness, Harvey Pekar, and many other notables too numerous to mention with ties to Cleveland and history. Again thanks and good luck! -NLP

My hometown. I haven't been back in so long but a lot of those street brought back memories.

Respect. I lived in Cleveland for many years and drove into East Cleveland hoods a few times by accident, I was very uncomfortable driving through there

They're tearing down all the buildings on Chapman street.I just read that will make a big difference in making the area look cleaner

Sad what EC has become. It was a thriving suburb when I grew up there. Heartbreaking to see this! Corrupt gov't is also responsible for this.

Hey. I really enjoy your videos. So much history - good and bad I suppose. Sad to see the decay of towns and cities. Many of these places were once thriving wonderful places to live I suppose. Thanks for what you do. I responded earlier to your video on South Carolina, not realizing it was six months old. I really liked that one too. Enjoy your journey, but stay safe.

This is what you get when a certain political party is in charge. Everything they touch turns to garbage.

I live near Aurora, driving through East Cleveland is like entering another universe. It's such a shithole and it's a dangerous sore on Cleveland's reputation. It really is sad that the state/city can't repair this place. I don't even like going downtown anymore it's like the East side is leaking onto the streets and it's usually an uncomfortable experience until you get to wherever you're walking to downtown.

I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio that's a very difficult area you went to there's many beautiful parts of Cleveland Ohio you should show those also

I was not aware there was an East Cleveland. The wealthy pockets have some gorgeous homes. The blight, roads, graffiti and dilapidated homes are indeed depressing. Years ago Cabrini Green in Chicago was blocks away from wealthy Chicagoans. Jane Byrne, former Chicago Mayor, famously moved into Cabrini Green. Thank you for another great video!

There is no freaking excuse for this blight. Some of these homes and apartment houses are incredible. People can be poor, but there is no excuse for the trash and unkempt yards.

My parents grew up off Jefferies and Euclid blvd. I showed my dad your tour, he is 87. He says he doesnt recognize the place. Euclid used to be a busling place. I am 62 and as a kid I remember Grandmas house and I am shocked what it has become. We used to drive millionair row at christmas it was a sight to see. My dad and I dont recognize any of it. Thanks for the visit I never wanted to make as we live in AZ now. Never shoveling snow ever again. LOL We used to live in Albuquerque, take a trip there down to the south side of the city, you will be shocked at all the 500sq ft homes and the poverty.

Oh, East Cleveland, will be the next area to endure gentrification. Many Millions are being poured into a building on Euclid, retro 50's style, to spur economic development. The local Land Bank has been acquiring and holding thousands of lots is finally getting ready to relinquish control of these as the Cleveland Clinic has not expressed interest into moving into East Cleveland. The areas of Cleveland; Ohio City, Tremont, and Detroit-Shoreway, are out of cheap and easily-obtained land. Developers don't want to fight for hundred and two-hundred thousand dollar lots of land. I am glad to be alive to see the rebirth of the city!

So sad what has become of our once great nation

All public officials that created this mess. Heartbreaking. I grew up and had relatives all over the Cleveland area. It’s shocking to me.

One thing I did notice amidst all that poverty was when you drove throughout that blighted community that there were modern or newer cars parked in the driveways or in front of the houses.

Been waiting and crossing my fingers that you would tour EC. Thank you for taking the time.

I grew up in East Cleveland…just drove through there and got teary eyed!! Used to be a nice proud city 😢

My family moved out of East Cleveland to Cleveland Heights in 1980 when I was 2 years old. Black flight from EC has been going on for a long time. It's sad, because even as recent as the 90's EC was nothing like this.

Interesting video, man! Thank you so much for sharing! I´m from Germany & I grew up with Americans for over 25 years. All of my neighbors here are US. I have good good and trusted friend in Columbus, OH. Great guy. My ex neighbor here, she´s a USAFE crew chief, and she´s originally from Toledo, OH. All the best to you guys

Amazing you made it out of E Cleve without incident. Very brave

Yea, I've been repairing roofs in this town on occasion for about a decade. History rotting before our eyes and citizens being neglected. What a shame.

I live an hour and a half south of this. It's so sad what is happening in Cleveland. Very horrific kidnapping and crimes. And even Akron is getting bad. Breaks my heart.

What a gorgeous sight! Like looking at beautiful cities like Paris or London or Vienna. All here in the good ole’ United States of America.

My dad was born in 1935 and grew up dirt poor in an apartment building on Euclid Ave. My grandparents were the janitors for the building, and they lived there until around 1951. Dad attended Shaw High School, and went to work at Thompson Products after graduating high school where he met my mom who lived in Painesville where I was born in 1960. We all moved south to Portsmouth in 62 where my brother and I grew up, and then we all moved to California in 77 where I live today. Dad retired a self-made millionaire and is 88 years old. He did alright for himself and his family considering his humble beginnings and never going to college. Mom passed away from covid in 2022.

My phone just put this video in front of me. Wow!!! So sad ! I love old architecture! I’m an old guy in Canada near Vancouver. Born and raised here. There is a town called Bellingham in Washington state ( near Vancouver Canada) that I visited as a kid from 1960s until now . Bellingham very similar to East Cleveland these days 😢

I love watching your videos, they give such a good view of the towns you visit. The contrasts in this were staggering. I wonder who lives in those super nice homes you showed towards the end, maybe those council folks making 6 figures. I look forward to upstate NY, I lived in Rochester and know the area quite well. I hope you visit Rochester.

Neighborhoods are what its residents make of it. Education starts in the home, a good mind is developed by stability and being stimulated. Its amazing just how much some of these formerly good neighborhoods have deteriorated. But hardly surprising.

You a brave man ! 🙏❤️

You've answered my two questions just as soon as I could formulate them in my mind. That first 'apartment building" (I was hoping you wouldn't go in, no you're too smart for that!) is what we used to call 'the projects' in Providence, where I grew up. The city blew them up in the '90s (implosions, televised and all) and I wondered why they wouldn't do that in EC. $$$$, of course. My second question is why Cleveland wouldn't annex the city. (Cleveland itself was no prize in the '70s when my family rode through there. I had never seen so many smokestacks belching noxious things). But that story about those corrupt politicians was wild! So much corruption, right out in the open. The city is decaying right before their eyes and all they're worried about is their $100k+ salaries. And they took that stance with a straight face. Outrageous.

When I grew up on the border of E.Cleveland we weren't even allowed in E.C. as it was a very prominent suburb.John D.Rockefeller had a whole street of homes his executive's lived in up near Forest Hills park .A very Affluent community was East Cleveland.

Good Lord! The community leaders and politicians should be ashamed of themselves. I can't even believe that these types of conditions exist in this country. Absolutely pathetic.

I got lost there a few years ago driving a truck turned down the wrong road ended up in an area know for violence against outsiders I truly believe the only reason I made it out was because one of the dudes saw the flag on my truck that stayed veteran and asked me if I am a veteran and I am so he helped me get turned around told the shipper about it and he told me that 2 days before this a truck driver had the same problem and he got stabbed and almost died in almost the exact same spot

👍 Fascinating ! Thanks.👍Make sure the Bronco doesn't get a puncture when you're driving through those hoods, Joe. Wouldn't fancy my luck while changing a tire/wheel, being vulnerable and static out in the open there.

East Cleveland was something at one time. May West lived there. I lived in East Cleveland for 9 years, and it was horrible! I was forced to live there due to some bad financial decisions I made. When I could get out, I ran and didn't look back. The working class are taxed to death to make up for those that don't work. In addition every elected official has lined their pockets are ran. Many went to jail. Nonetheless, the residents suffered. He's right. At one time you couldn't tell the difference between East Cleveland and Cleveland Heights. I have a strong feeling Cleveland Hts. is next on the depression list. I hope I'm wrong!

Words escape me for this video! Scary, depressing, the stark contrasts. wow. Thanks Joe. Nic, I would have stayed elsewhere too. lol

I would like for you to verify that towards the end of that video I think some of that area was actually Cleveland Heights. It’s pretty hard to believe that there are any homes of any significant value left in East Cleveland.

Good description of what’s going on in the area

A very interesting but depressing video. Shocking to see the collapse of a once prosperous town 😢

I used to live in East Cleveland..was a mess then but nicer areas existed than today. If you've ever been inside ANY of those homes they were each a unique architectural masterpiece piece & truly beautiful back in their day I'm sure. I hope one day the area can be restored!

I recently visited Cleveland for the first time. During our trip, we were on our way to University Hospital to see a family member when we lost the GPS signal and ended up in a neighborhood with rundown houses. Despite the condition of the houses, I found them charming due to their beautiful architecture. This made me wonder about the neighborhood's history and what it might have been like in its prime. My curiosity led me to this video. Thank you for shedding light on the unfortunate downfall of East Cleveland. It is truly disheartening.😢

You should try Akron, Ohio. That's historic and also mostly poverty stricken. It's my birthplace, and I've watched it struggle for years.

Most of the houses for sale in EC, as you've probably guessed, are "Investment Opportunities!" "Handyman Special!" and the like for the 40-60k range. There are a couple multi-families for around 100k. The pictures obviously look nice but you go on Street View and not so much. There's one for 75k that looks to have at least been recently painted. 5 BDR and 1(ONE) bath. Doesn't look too bad in pictures but I've toured houses like that and no thanks. There was another for about 80-85k (3bd-1bath) but I didn't look at it. Like you, I was getting too depressed and had to get out of there.

Very sad to see this. In spite of these conditions, this needs to be seen, maybe there will be a wake up call. We can only hope. Thank you for the video. Have a safe trip!

I thought at first you weren’t going to talk about this city’s history but I was so pleased when you did! I’ve driven thru this area recently and it’s just such a shame. The houses are beautiful (or once were). Ty!

Milwaukee isn't too far behind this scenario. I had family that lived in Cleveland, back in the 70s, and do not remember where. But I do remember going into downtown Cleveland, and back then it was quite frightening. If you don't hold your elected employees' feet to the fire, this is what happens. What regal homes those once were. Be safe!

I am white and from Stark County (Canton - I-77) and don't recall why I was up there that Saturday morning, but, I was amazed at the beautiful architecture devastated and vacated. I took some pictures then got hungry. There is a McDonald's - there were thirty customers - mostly men - and I was the only white person there. I sat in the restaurant and ate my meal - and noone bothered me, noone bothered my vehicle. I guess the Mickey D's is where the residents gather for their coffee. Now right across the street - NOT in East Cleveland - is a beautiful old home - law offices.

Across from that apartment complex I believe was a hospital! Huron Hospital to be exact

Looking forward to your upstate NY video. Hope you visit Albany and down the Hudson Valley. Love all of your videos. I don’t travel much and watching I can see sites I’ll never experience. ❤️

This is only 20 minutes from me and I often forget how sad that area is.