DETROIT: A Drive Through The City's No-Go Zone - America’s Urban Disaster

We visit Detroit, Michigan. Does it deserve all the bad press? The city center is beautiful. Clean with awesome artwork. Vibrant and full of people. Just a few blocks out into the city tells a different story. Disintegrating homes and businesses fill the streets, and in many places nature seems to be reclaiming huge areas. We also visited Henry Ford's Museum Of American Innovation, one of the best we've ever been to.

Travel Vlog #83

#Detroit #Hoods #HenryFordMuseum

[jelindsl]

Detroit is an example of what the rest of America is becoming without a vibrant middle class. The rich and the poor.

[sherrielindsey]

I was born and raised in Detroit. From 1954-1968. Detroit was a beautiful place to grow up in. Until the riots...Those families who could get out, did just that. All through the years thereafter, I watched as Detroit was destroyed. The street that I grew up on is barren land now. Most of the houses are gone. You'd never know that families raised kids in a beautiful, wonderful neighborhood back in the day. Schools were top notch back then. We received a quality education. Most of us went to church back then. What happened? Well I could tell you but a lot of people would say that I was out of line speaking the truth. You're impressed with downtown Detroit? That's the only place that has been renovated. The only time people actually go there is usually for sporting events. Or sometimes a concert. Maybe a trip to the casinos. But not often. Safety is a major factor in that decision. Sadly, the suburbs are being affected by the same thing that brought Detroit to its knees. People can debate all day long about that statement but the proof is in the pudding. I'm sad and angry about what's happened to my hometown. In this case the old saying "You can never go home again" is a reality. All we have is our memories now.

[jennyjunepegeanu]

Hello,

California native here. I grew up in San Diego, lived in Portland for 2 years, and then finally LA for 8 years.

Bought a home and moved to Detroit in 2022. Yes, it’s still not the safest city and it’s not quite what it was during its prime… but it’s heading in the right direction. Having only been here for 2 years, I can say that I’ve witnessed a lot of change and things are happening everyday that reflect its progress. I hear many people saying it will never be the same again and they’re right. I think Detroit is headed somewhere greater than it has ever been before. The spirit of the city and its people are palpable and contagious.

Detroit is a city of cycles, up and down but it’s the gear of America that keeps on grinding — always rising to the occasion to innovate and evolve from its mistakes.

The name Detroit has been maligned for far too long. However, success does not exist without failure and vice versa. To put things in perspective, today Detroit is out of bankruptcy, its Moody rating went up 2, and it is in the black.

I hope this inspires other cities in America like Oakland. It all starts with small steps! Pick up that trash!

Peace and love.

[brooklyn]

Born and raised in Michigan, metro detroit. Suburbanite. I’ll tell you’ve I’ve been all through out detroit and the most beautiful parts are where there’s the most damage. The history behind why. What happened and the come back is just why detroit is so great. So many people from the communities are building it back up.

[chicomaki]

WOW! Do I know THAT neighborhood. That was my grandmother's house at 20:16! My mom grew up in that house! There were two other houses between her house and Tuxedo to the left, which you passed a couple seconds earlier. They're gone now, it looks like whoever owns my grandmother's house bought the empty lots and put that driveway in. They've kept the place up nice, unlike just about everything else in that neighborhood. When I was a kid that lot at the corner of Nardin and Elmhurst was empty and there were a couple of billboards there. What a shocker to see her house on a video!
Thanks for posting THIS!!!!

[troydavenport]

Detroit must have been amazing in the 50s and 60s. Thanks for the tour.

[annie_xo]

I’m not even from Detroit or the US but this makes me so sad. Those houses were once beautiful, loved homes. I feel bad for the people who have to watch their hometown turn into this.

[Thomas-yrln]

My dad worked at General Motors most of his life. He started when I was 7 or 8 I don't remember exact age. Towards the end before his plant closed down I was in my lait 20s. After he worked there about five years our lifestyle changed we went from beat up furniture to really nice furniture along with a new color TV. Both my parents are dead but I have great memories of them from my childhood and what a great time we had together.

[pj]

you can really feel the sad, soulless vibe when viewing all those broken down neighborhood homes.
it almost gives off some sort of a sentimental feel to it as well.

[CarolStJohn-evry]

My mother's family were from Detroit. She grew up (in the 30s/40s) in a 2 story brick home similar to some you showed except it had a fully covered deep porch and more lawn. It was a beauty and my grandfather was proud of it and the neighborhood he lived in. In the early 60s my grandfather was part of 'white flight' and crankily moved into the suburbs. In 1973 my mother and I flew out to see him and he took us for a drive to see the house/neighborhood Mom grew up in. I had seen pictures and it was shocking how trashed the houses were after just a few years! It was dangerous too and the numerous young men in the streets made it clear we were not wanted. It made Mom cry to see how they had destroyed EVERYTHING.

[kristenstudebaker]

Detroit is a gem, like a faded movie star. You can still see her past glory, but magnificent in her scars and wrinkles.

[michaelsteele]

I've always enjoyed downtown Detroit during every visit I've made...even that day back in 2002 when I got my car impounded at the tunnel to Canada because I was 19 and didn't declare some alcohol I was smuggling in from Canada. I spent a few hours downtown Detroit that night waiting for a ride home so I explored a bit. This was when I discovered downtown Detroit has some absolutely AMAZING restaurants. So much has changed downtown since 2002 and it gets better each year. Detroit has always been a city that prospers, hits rough patches and it always finds a way to come back. That city has too much history and too much vibrant life to ever die. It will always be a city re-inventing itself and despite its struggles, its a beautiful city with a lot of beautiful people. I always meet some of the nicest locals in Detroit when I visit the city.

[JackBQuick]

Honestly, I think Detroit is going to make a comeback. The people of Detroit are resilient and crafty. And with some solidarity I believe they will revive Detroit. Probably not back to the peak state it was once in but possibly better in ways no one would imagine. I'm proud to be a Michigander and have always had a love for our state in general. I think we can all learn something from Detroits citizens.

[rickmoore]

Went to Detroit last summer. That city is making a huge comeback. I am an old white dude, but was treated like a family member where ever I went.
City was electric.
I am cheering for you Detroit.

[lestersloan]

I've lived in Detroit for 11 years now and I have had zero issues 🤷
I live on a beautiful street with no vacant houses. The whole city isn't bombed out and vacant. There's still good people who live here and TONS of beautiful mansions

[randall]

This looks like almost every major city in America . We gave manufacturing away to other countries . We killed the middle class American dream . We the people stand for ?

[kenblock]

Detroit was a great place to grow up. I still have fond memories.

[michellem]

What I find more sad than the decrepit buildings are the empty lots, where houses used to be. I've heard some of them have plants/bushes/flowers, planted by the original owners, that still bloom and grow. Kind of like marking the gravesite of somebody's former home....

[aaronwermers]

So many of those derelict homes would be so amazing to save. They are wonderful architecture. Love all of the older brick homes.

[Lionofjuda]

Lived in Windsor for 40 years. I use to go to Detroit quite often. Fantastic place I thought. I had family members who lived both sides of the border, great sports, Tigers, Red Wings, great concerts...loved Detroit 👍