@@marywegrzyn506 Thank u for confirming that lol!!!! I wasn't real sure if I was correct!! Any small towns between Knoxville and Chattanooga r awesome!! Small towns with small populations right along the foothills of the Smokies. Can't go wrong. I have lived alone for many years and I love it.
It's crazy in the middle of the video when you start talking to that dude and it's the screen is split and he starts talking about the four three hurricanes than four hurricanes that's exactly what just happened to Panama City Beach with hurricane Michael wiped out everything all the nightclubs we were hanging on to a thread in the hurricane after that we were done and the only thing that saved us was covid-19 because Rhonda Santos kept the state open and we were able to have tourists here to sort of keep us afloat
In November 1979 my girlfriend and I came down from Michigan. We stayed at a beachfront motel for $18 a night. We drove on the beach, rode the little mini bikes and had a lot of fun. We never saw the city proper so as you said we as tourists were "funneled" to all the right places. Now at 68 years old I can say there's not a whole lot of places left in the USA that aren't getting skanky to some degree.
Agree with you. Most places in this country has been degenerating for decades and if you want to see places that have been booming and improvement in people’s standard of living, you will need to travel overseas to find those places. Dubai was a fishing village during the 1970’s but it’s now a major international metropolis. Singapore was riddled with crime, corruption, and poverty in the 1960’s but it’s now a major international city. Shenzhen, China, was a fishing village during the 1970’s but it’s now a Special Economic Zone well known for being a global center in tech, R&D, manufacturing, business and economics, finance, tourism, transport and logistics. All of the above (3) cities embrace free market capitalism and are very tough on crimes and drugs. Even Lagos, Nigeria, has been developing and booming lately improving the standard of living of the people in the city.
Moved to Daytona area a few months ago on other side of 95 off LPGA. Love it, everything is new, clean, etc... We are 15-30 minutes to multiple beach to fit whatever our mood from New Smyrna to Flagler. If you visit a place and only focus on worst parts, you will find them.
Just got back from Daytona Beach a few days ago. Stayed at the Nautilus Inn with my gf, no complaints. Daytona is Not a perfect place by any means, but that’s everywhere. Beach was gorgeous especially at sunrise, we had an oceanfront hotel, food is good, people overall were friendly, the Ponce inlet lighthouse is a short drive away, there’s stuff to do there. It’s not perfect by any means, and I see some areas that could use improvement, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Saludos, from Miami FL 🏝 🏙
@@Chris_Thorny yeah I agree cocoa is cool too, I’m used to the city life in Miami but it’s an awesome break from the hustle. They have nice places up here 😄
Bubba you aint old enough to know old Florida I am.. and I can assure you.. it will never be Old Florida.. again. Development isn't the answer it's the problem. You can't build a town to suite businesses. You build a town to suite families.. It ends up shit if you do it any other way.
Florida Native of 58 yrs here (lived all over Florida. From Boca to Destin to St. Augustine (and also lived L.A., N.Y. & Atlanta) & the decline of Daytona has been really sad to watch over the year's. BIG Drug problem & the crime that goes along with it. I hope they find a way to turn it around as it really did use to be a cool place back in the day. If you head north on A1A thing's begin to improve substantially going thru Ormond Bch and next into quaint Flagler Beach (Old FLA 🌴), The Hammock, Crescent Bch, St. Augustine, Vilano Bch into Ponte Vedra before arriving in Jax Beach. I've really enjoyed watching your "Florida series" & think that overall you did a pretty thorough job in such a short time. Florida continues to CHANGE (drastically in many cases)& definitely not always for the better. Once upon a time it was affordable for many & nowadays in retrospect, in today's Florida I would not be able to afford ANY of my former neighborhoods. Grateful that I got to enjoy much of it BEFORE the invasion when it was laid back, fun & affordable. Florida has ALWAYS been a retirement haven for New Yorkers, NJ & Mid westerners so in part that will likely never change, but this "other influx" is something else entirely. Truth is, is that at some point life here will become unsustainable. Too MANY people, too much OVER-Development & eventually not enough resources. Would hate to see us eventually end up in a water CRISIS like CA,AZ,CO etc ETC. The "growth" here has been mismanaged with no other thought than making a quick buck. Much of this new construction is no better than a Cracker Jack's construction made with particle board & snapped together like Lego's within a few week's. Truth of the matter is that most of the home's built before the 80's were built far more superior with concrete block construction & WHY so many of them withstand today surviving the numerous hurricanes over the year's. Another little "secret" these new cookie cutter subdivisions WON'T tell you is that in N.FLA they are built to withstand no more than a CAT 3 storm, unlike S.FLA where they were mandated to withstand up to a CAT5 after the devastating aftermath of Hurricane ANDREW. Meanwhile, we SAW how those lower bldg codes worked out for those in the Panhandle during Hurricane MICHAEL. Anyway's we finally ended up buying a nice older home a month before covid hit and couldn't be happier @$99K with a low mthly mtg pymt. 30 mins from the beaches near the beautiful St. Johns River & the furthest "Inland" that I EVER lived in this state but don't feel "landlocked" with the waterfront close by. IF not for my elderly parent's & family, I probably would have left Florida (again. Lol!) by now because of its increasing unaffordability but to go WHERE ? Just grateful that we found a nice home that "we" could afford, as there's no way I'd be able to RENT here anymore & my heart goes out to those who are really struggling with that right now & SADLY ALL our Florida Animal Shelters are at OVERCAPACITY because of so many who can't afford to keep their pet's anymore because of "No pet" rental rules/policies. Florida is a nice place to live.......BUT ONLY IF you can afford it. Just saying...........
As a native Floridian (Orlando-Winter Park) now NOT living in Florida, I couldn’t agree more. After my husband passed, I would’ve loved to ‘come home’ again. I tested the waters, but it just wasn’t possible…for more reasons than one.
Hopefully this response to KD will get sent correctly. I believe you have fairly stated survival in a tourist town. I also agree to a lot of what you have said. Whoever documented this video could have been a little gentler. Sadly we can agree or disagree. It doesn't matter who's right or who's wrong in their perception. It is all about the money and unfortunately most of us have to struggle with the way things are right right now. I don't know anyone that is not mentally physically and financially stressed. We can still enjoy some of the finest food in the state. We can still enjoy the Sun rises, the sunsets and there's nothing like watching the full moon come up over the horizon. Experiencing a night launch is something you'll never forget. If you look hard enough you can find good pizza good Chinese food. How about some great wings with a cold beer while sitting on a deck somewhere watching life go by. Sadly there is an element that we all need to have a proximity awareness of. We are all in this together. Like it or not. Hanging out with people you know and love is always a good thing. Crank up the grill, put the radio on grab a few cold ones and enjoy some of the most beautiful weather before and after the summer. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay blessed. Any way you look at it if you're reading this the most important part of the equation is.... We are still here!! 🙃
Don’t forget the positive side of Daytona. It is the home of FL Division of Blind Services as well as the Conklin center for the blind. Besides the city buses they also have another transportation system called Votran which is either free or has reduced pricing for the disabled. My daughter is blind and after graduating Florida School for the Deaf and Blind she moved on to the Conklin Center where She learned adult independent living skills and now has her own apartment in the community. She is also continuing her education at Daytona State College with the help of Division of Blind Services. I pray that the depressed areas continue to improve so Daytona can strive and keep up the good work they do for the disabled.
I’m on the Gulf side now, Jax Beaches became too much for me, but I love Daytona and always have. No, it hasn’t changed but all who live there are lucky for that because change and growth can be very detrimental. Don’t know if you’ve been but Clearwater Beach is a disaster and Daytona could have been with that experiment that went very wrong. Being the same old Daytona also helps the residents afford to live there without the taxes going sky high as in most of what our great state is turning into. It’s one thing to be a tourist state, and we both live by the beach just different sides, but we also deserve respect as residents. It’s hard but I won’t leave. And you are correct. Beautiful Florida has given us wonderful opportunities especially for your child. I watch this guy’s videos and no matter what area he covers, he discounts all of our state. Now if It’s a plan to have people vacation in California? Great! Hahaha! If my town’s leaders don’t get with the program, I know I can always feel comfortable in my beloved Daytona. 💜
I have lived in Daytona Beach all my life. The only places he’s showing are the worst parts of town. And he talked about Ridgewood having been a great area, The areas that he showed on Ridgewood have never been great. Most of the locals have not stopped bringing their children to the beach. They take them there every weekend. Take your negative comments somewhere else Nick
I'm also a Daytona Beach resident and, unfortunately, everything in this video was spot on. A big part of the problem, which I didn't see mention here, is that Daytona has a "ratchet", or "ghetto" side to it and the town does a really good job of hiding that side from the tourists even though that side is about 70% of the town. There is a sort of "track" formed by International Speedway Blvd and A1A: this is where the town likes to funnel all the tourists. Even the bus service is geared more to serving this area. The rest of the town is where all the grime is located, and it seems to get little attention from the city. Nick's video tour gave you a few shots of the intersection of North St. and Ridgewood Ave; locals consider this one of the worst parts of town (a lot of regularly scheduled homeless feeding events happen here and many drug deals go down on this corner). The reason the areas north and south of Daytona proper and Holly Hill seem less rundown could be because the police in those towns (Port Orange and Ormond Beach) are far less tolerant of the junkies and transients, and this just chases them all into Daytona. Drive through those particular areas and the difference is like night and day. This just seems like a town whose best days have come and gone.
In 1990 I applied for a job in the area of Ridgewood and was waiting for my sister to pick me up. So I. Dressed professional not street walker and I had so many Stops asking me for sex services it got scary
@@davidzellow1292 The campus itself is surprisingly quiet considering its location. The neighborhoods surrounding that campus, on the other hand, are a shitshow
I lived in Daytona Beach 1986 - 1993. I picked up children for Sunday School on a First Baptist church bus in some of those rough areas. Daytona Beach was an affordable place to live back then, but was very expensive by the early 2000's. I moved to Mississippi for family reasons and never left. I love Daytona Beach and have probably made about 30 trips back since I left. Most of the middle class now lives in Port Orange.
I’ve had Daytona on my house hunting map a while and this video filled in a lot of gaps for me. I still can’t help think that these diamonds in the rough are good investments with so many people migrating to Florida. The big issue is waiting it out and watching your back in the interim! Thanks for another great video Nick!
I like the beautifully built and maintained boat & park services that are available. The new multi services in Holly Hill near city hall. This place is booming LPGA crazy nice.
This video made me laugh a lot. Been living in the area for a long time. There is drugs, crime, rich, and poor anywhere you go. What really happened to Daytona is city management not letting Daytona be what Daytona is known for, a tourist trap and it’s yearly events. The city was thriving with little shops all along the strip. Now they all closed down, why? Because Daytona kept trying to clean the city up and push out all the events Daytona was known for. Only event left is just a slice of what the bikers used to bring.
There is a difference in being a tourist area and having the kids that come here for school completely destroy this town. Yes drug and trash are everywhere however the drugs and crime that are here in Daytona are one of the worst
Poverty, drugs, and decaying homes are everywhere now. Find the beauty where you can. Much has changed in this area... mostly weather related and less partying. Neglect from government creates what this man experienced. My son goes to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University next to Daytona Raceway. It is beautiful in that part.
Next time you're in my "Trashy" town, I'd love to meet you, show you some of the new additions that are making this town's turn around happen. There's a very vibrant business community here and some amazing folks not willing to stand for the status quo.
Umm..no bro Daytona is the worst place I've ever been in FL. I'm a native of 32 years I've been to every corner of Florida. You are greatly misinformed. It is depressing.
Nice video Nick. As a person who goes to Daytona Beach for vacation, you should go to Tropical Manor hotel. It has 1950s history in it, and all the rooms are renovated. It is right on the beach also.
Lived for over 20 years in Florida and Daytona Beach has never been any good. No matter if on the beach or inland. It doesn't help that you are allowed to drive on the beach with your car! Many will say, "But that is freedom", however, it hurts the overall community as no high class hotel would want to build a hotel there if people drive by with there Pick Up's while guests would want to relax on the beach.
You are right. I have lived here for 50 years and driving on the beach used to be very cool but now it is definitely a negative. The county has actually negotiated to stop driving in certain areas as a way to get more beachfront development but they just don't have the clout to just cancel driving entirely because of the local political push back. Personally I think they could get nice hotels and condos up pretty fast if they would just shut down the driving.
Great coverage of Daytona. It's beyond me why the city of Daytona doesn't go back to generations of families that are still there to have suggestions and input. Why wouldn't ANYONE want a beach town atmosphere, or a possible combo of yesterday and today. Been to Daytona back in the late 70's and early 80's as a spring breaker, and throughout the years since. It's a shame, a place that could rekindle its beach town vibe if the city officials just get over crapping theirselves. Last time we visited we stayed on the beach, and honestly there is nothing like my morning run at sunrise on Daytona. It's all there for them to replenish, it really is a no brainer.
Hey Nick! Loved your video, grew up in Port Orange and now live in South Florida. Crazy to see you driving down streets from my childhood, passed both of my parent’s jobs. Daytona definitely has its issues, but the people you meet there are some of the most-hardworking and caring you’ll meet. Sorry if your stay wasn’t ideal, and hope you’ll give it another chance one day
Another great video Nick, I am loving your Florida series. Daytona Beach was my senior trip vacation, a few decades ago. It didn't look like this though :(
@@marywegrzyn506 aww fun times, fun times. And I was a "good teen" . Things felt safer, the beach was picked up, The area around A1-A was clean, no panhandlers, definitely no boarded up buildings, I felt safe. I hope one day it can be cleaned up and restored to a popular senior trip destination again
I live in florida, and LOVE these videos. (I live south of tampa bay) but have been to many of the places you’re highlighting. You did a fantastic job! (Especially about Daytona!)
"What the HELL Happened to Daytona Beach, Florida??" City leaders lost their way and ended up in a place they don't like nor recognize anymore so now they want to be something they're not. Different ideas have come and gone, all talk and no action. The problem is they KNOW the city suffers from an identity crisis but nobody with a spine is stepping up to define what Daytona Beach SHOULD be and how much that will cost. Essentially they (city leaders) need to figure out what type of image or type of city they want to be and execute a plan to attain it.
I've been in this county since 87. It's always been trash. Holly Hill has always been known as Holy Hell. Daytona has always been known as Dirtona. Nothing new today.
This has been Daytona for years. We just didn’t have social media to show you how dark Daytona becomes when the lights go out 🤣🤣 Always been fights when Seabreeze lets out, A1A has always been full of homeless druggies, and crime has always been a thing with the number of transients that pushed through the town. Literally nothing has changed for 30 years, it’s just got more populated
Ha Ha! Local here. Those old school spring breakers never left. LOL. Beach area is fresh with a lot of new restaurants. Hard Rock just came. Tons of music - as always. Great place. No reason to hit the bad areas. All year it has a ton of big events and art.always something to do. Not trashy just casual or high end around the band shell. It is fun!
Daytona needs a shared vision. A 10 year plan. You want a family friendly, sleepy town vibe? Get the damn cars off the beach! Its so trashy. Give tax breaks to new small business - coffee shops, local artist galleries, craft centres, small bars and independent restaurants. Deploy security cameras in the main tourist area - make sure families feel that it's a safe resort for their children. Get absolutely tough on drugs and substance abuse. Employ local people, give back some tax to the community so that they can start to make repairs to the worst areas etc. Clean the streets and the beach of graffiti and litter. None of this is impossible. DB has great foundations - but it needs a vision and focus.
Not with the current regime. They pay companies to create slogans. Everything goes through a PR firm. Ask about Mayor Poopy Water. Ask about infrastructure. It’s all about the almighty dollar and the old regime is no longer in charge.
"Get the damn cars off the beach! Its so trashy." This is it. No one wants to sit on filthy sand, breathing exhaust fumes, with their kids having to watch out for cars just to get to the water. As if watching a parade of cars driving back and forth in front of you is anyone's idea of a vacation. "Trashy" is being too kind.
I agree with most of your statements. However, being able to drive on the beach is a big draw and helps support the businesses on the beach. A good one year plan would turn this town around instamatically. Get rid of the homeless and condemn the run down properties. Knock down these shacks and build nice homes on these properties. Use the broken windows police philosophy just as Giuliani did in NYC. AND STOP ELECTING DEMOCRATS! Problem solved.
I lived in Daytona Beach 30 years ago. I lived on Madison Ave and Ridgewood. I'm from Dayton Ohio. So for me there were many similarities. What some call a ghetto others call home. I made life long friendships living in Daytona Beach and hope to permanently return some day.
I grew up in FL starting in 1960. It was a wonderful place for a simple family to live. Small houses, everyone knew each other, many good times and lots of good people in neighborhoods just like this. It's sad to see this.
There has to be a little bit more bigger picture thinking than just looking at hours of bar closings. There needs to be master planning , infrastructure upgrades, and re-marketing the national image of the city. No crime. Positive image. No homeless. No drugs. No human trafficking. No kidding!
Truthfully, there are very few good places in FL . Floriduh a location makes it a vacation land with the beaches , but there is very few middle class, it's either rich or poor in FL . And crime has gone off the charts pretty much everywhere in FL .
That’s the problem in a lot of states, even where I am up north..there is no more middle class..your either rich,or poor(livable poor,I should say..your just scraping by) Other then that-this whole country is going down the 🚽!!!
Agreed. Florida is one of the biggest ghetto states in the USA with the crime stats to match. #3 for total # of homicides after California and Texas. #3 for Meth usage. #2 largest population of hate groups (KKK, Nazis). #7 largest gang population. #3 Most dangerous roads/highway fatalities. Worst funded public school system in the nation - dead last. Just an awful place to live.
I have been to Daytona Beach every year since 1990. It has changed a lot. The four hurricanes in 2004 did a lot of damage. The mom and pap places took the insurance money and sold to developers. Their places were tore down. The city was wanting to chase out the spring breakers and bikers and turn Daytona into Beverly Hills. They thought all the baby boomers were gona retire and move into all the new condos that would be built. Then came the housing bubble burst of 2008. Most of the developers backed out of building anything new, so that is why you see a lot of empty land. The city then started begging the spring breakers and bikers to come back. It is very safe walking or driving around Daytona. I just would not be out walking late at night as is the case in any city. The two biggest dangers are getting hit by a car while walking and rip currents. One has to pay close attention crossing streets and to use the crosswalks. Also be sure to swim when lifeguards are present between 10 am and 6 pm. It is fun riding in waves, but there are also dangerous rip currents. The beach is not wide at all. It looked like low tide when you were there. When it is high tide, there is very little beach. You will be sitting on sand with cars driving behind you and the water coming up toward you. The beach used to be 3 times as wide as what it is now. Quite a bit of the sand has washed away. There are no parties on the beach. Alcohol is prohibited on the beach. Beach patrol drives the beach all day long. There are mostly families who pay like 20 bucks to drive and park on the beach for the day. There are def no parties. The biggest danger once again would be watching out for vehicles and rip currents. The Fountain Beach Resort is a very clean and friendly and professional hotel. They are constantly cleaning and emptying trash. There are no wild parties there or marijuana in the hallways. There might be an occ marijuana smell from an outside balcony, but that is true for any hotel these days. If you turned your camera slightly more to the east, you would have seen the view of the ocean. Although not a very good one. The rooms on the south side of the building have better ocean views. The Fountain does golf cart rentals and has a tiki bar/restaurant with live music and amazing views of the ocean. It is a fun and relaxing time there for all. There are two nice fishing piers on the beach. There is quite a bit of free public parking lots along the beach. It is just not free to drive and park on the beach. The Boardwalk is newly renovated. It is very wide and long. The Bandshell on the Boardwalk has free concerts every Fri/Sat. There are Fireworks every Sat night. There are some arcades and restaurants and thrill rides on the boardwalk. Also a free splash pad. There is a really nice convention center on atlantic avenue. Also the Daytona Lagoon water park. There are absolutely no dive bars on atlantic avenue. There is a new Hard Rock Hotel on Atlantic Avenue. The bridges to cross the peninsula to get to the mainland are newly renovated. I have spent some time on the mainland. Ridgewood avenue runs north/south along the peninsula. I would avoid walking on ridgewood at dark. Quite a bit of crime around the smaller motels there. There is a shopping mall, the daytona 500 racetrak, a community college, a huge high school, hospital, airport, worlds largest flea market, and some nice parks on the mainland. Quite a few restaurants and hotels on the mainland as well. Ponce inlet which is just to the south of daytona has a nice lighthouse with museums. There are also nice restaurants at ponce inlet. Daytona is a very close drive to kennedy space center, st. Augustine, and the orlando parks. Daytona is more of a blue collar beach town. They get the daytona 500 crowd, bike week crowd, spring breakers, convention center tourists, and family vacationers. It was never known for the richer snowbirds or transplants cause it is too far to the north. The winters are slightly cooler at daytona Richer people usually go further south. Overall, daytona is a fun place for families to relax on the beach. There are no parties there. It is very safe. A single person would be bored there. As for living there, it would depend on if i had a good paying job.
I live just south of Daytona. You really gave an objective, well written and accurate review of the area. Housing prices keep rising but the average pay around Daytona Beach is lower than other areas in Florida. That's a big problem today. But I'm retired, so this area suit me well.
I grew up in Daytona Beach and live here .There are the slums and drugs everywhere. Daytona beach (actual beach) is beautiful and full of locals with their families. Who cares about spring break and Jerry Springer? My dad worked maintenance in a big hotel back in the rush of spring break.he said it was horrible.they would flood the rooms,punch holes in the walls, steal things and just destroy the rooms and or hotel property. Privileged kids spending their parents money. At least we don't have to deal with that currently. We do walk around town in the evening on the beaches with no problems. There are homeless people in every city and most are harmless. They did build a homeless shelter but I've heard it's mostly for women and children, not single men. A lot of the homeless are most likely addicted to meth and there aren't any programs to help get them off of it. It's a meth pandemic all over the USA. I do wish they would do a facelift on the beachside to make it have more appeal but otherwise we enjoy the different restaurants and ice cream shops. As for the rent it's insane and they just keep building more and more apartments that people can't afford. I blame the city with poor management. There are too many bars. I always thought this was supposed to be a family town... And I wish you would have shown beach street.. it's super cute and has a lot of businesses that we locals enjoy and visit often. There are events that happen all the time on beach street. (Beach street on the mainland just back over the bridge) Videos like this are what keep people from actually knowing the good side of our town and keep people away and their money.
@@harryhanz1690 a conquered empire. Remember where you came from? They are back. Many never left. Tarred and feathered and sent home where they regrouped. As would be expected (victory or vengeance).
This hurts a bit, when I was stationed in Georgia (99-01), we would go to Daytona Beach when we had long weekends or leave. We had some great memories there.
I've been going to South Daytona for about the past ten years. You spent a fair bit of time driving on and around Ridgewood Ave aka US Hwy 1. This used to be the main North-South highway between NYC and Miami and was always crowded with FL residents, trucks, and vacationers going in both directions.Many of the old gas stations, motels and restaurants along this route, to include all of the businesses that supported them, went on hard times once I-95 was built in the 1960s. The downward trend accelerated over time as the old owners retired and died off. So whatever you are looking at today is only a shell of its former self due in part to the building of I-95. Also, there is a large stock of old housing and business buildings that is probably too large for today's market and that's affecting things too. Just my two cents. I enjoyed the video.
Over Priced Ghetto Beach Community.....First Time I Went To Daytona was in 1980 as guest of a Bike Club Trying To Get me To Join The Club, However It Didn't Impress Me or Make Me Want To Join Them....It Was Bike Week 1980 and The Drive By Shootings was CRAZY, Was So Happy To Go Back Home When The Week Was Over, Been Back 3 more times for bike week throughout the years and I'm not Impressed and Prefer less People with more INTEGRITY, and MORALS.
Florida itself isn't a state for integrity and morals, its a banana republic run by mafia goons. I'm from there and you can't convince people how much worse it gets every year because they never leave, they don't notice everything around them is poop. Now they are busy destroying the education system, keep them dumb too.
Bike Week 1980,there were no drive by shootings I was there quit making shit up. A bunch of us were camped out at Nova campground and we had one hell of a good time. Didn't miss a bike week at Daytona for 16 years in a row in addition to three visits to Sturgis. Oh and going to bike week is not how you prospect for a real club.
@@AFAskygoddess I have been going to Daytona my whole life and I've absolutely loved every trip! I vote he does a redo of this video to give the people a fair shot at Daytonas better sides!
I was raised in a small German village. Everyone had a bike, people cycled everywhere. Or walked. Now I live in a very green cozy neighborhood in a big city. Most important: it's walkable. Everything I need in ten minute walking distance. Doctors, shops, Cafés, Bars. Living in the US looks awfull. These endless empty spaces, everything is stretched out. And people sit isolated in their homes, nowhere to go, nothing to do. Everything is planned car centered, not about humans and life quality.
Cordelia, I agree with you, but I don't really see any realistic way to make the towns and cities in America like the hamlets and villages of Europe. I think the big problem is just the sheer size of America. I live in South Carolina, and the nearest grocery store is 7 or 8 miles away, and it's a small town, so there are no bus or alternate options. Thus, you're essentially forced to have a car. With a little (a lot) of change in infrastructure, the cities could eventually become less automobile-reliant, but the rural areas? I don't see any feasible options. The spaces are simply too vast to bike or walk and car-pooling is usually impractical, purely from a logistics standpoint.
I was there about 5 years ago and thought to myself “this is Daytona?”… it was so run down and just looked dirty or I should say “UnKept” city wide. I spent most my time in the beach areas and it still felt super neglected. It sad to see it hasn’t changed at all.
I lived in that area in the late 90’s….. it hasn’t changed much since THEN. Which is really sad, because it could really be a great area if given a chance.
15 year veteran here. Left in 06 and been back a few times. Daytona is pretty much a flophouse for the events they pimp now. In my time we used to have MTV, Spring Break, Black College Reunion, Canadian Spring Break, Bike week, Biketoberfest, Turkey Rod run, Speed Weeks, The National Collegiate Cheerleading competitions and an active music scene that frequently spawned National acts. Not to mention pro athletes recruited from my high school class (Vince Carter). 3 different concert capable venues (Bank and Blues, The Ocean Center and the Bandshell before it was made private) cheap/free booze scantily clad people and parties everywhere. Usually the worst thing you heard about was a biker biting the dust or a breaker falling off a balcony in season. The place was so overloaded during events the city/county had to get rid of almost all of the draw bridges due to the gridlock from people cruising a1a to Granada back down Ridgewood and back up International speedway to a1a. It was so bad it was faster to walk than drive on beachside, speedway to bel-aire plaza on beachside? 30 minute walk 3 hours by car. We had crackheads, prostitutes, corner pushers, The Outlaws National Clubhouse (and the bombings between rival clubs) and HIV was running rampant in the 90's. If you want a look at Daytona in the heyday watch the video for "Steal my Sunshine" by Len. To answer your question imminent domain was abused to overdevelop the beachside attractions. Adventure Landing/Daytona Lagoon the parking garage and Oceanwalk were converted by imminent domain for private developers. The property owners were either going to take what the city offered or have it more or less confiscated for fire sale prices this was around 1999 when the city told MTV to stop coming and its been downhill from there.
Remember vaguely back in the early 80s some investors wanted to renovate the old Ormond (Hotel?) across Granada Blvd. from the Casements. The city evicted hundreds of elderly living on fixed incomes overnight onto the street. Where they went, probably if lucky some garage apartment. The lot remained empty for years. Now it's the Ormond Heritage Condominiums. At that point realized Daytona Beach has *no heart or soul*
Yup. You shared the same Daytona as I did. It was hopping and generally good times by most. It went south in a 5 year span and just continued to get worse. My memory of when it started south was when the college kids started jumping off balcony's and retired folks complaining about everything then cops cracking down on bikers and welp. It all kinda died. I had friends in motorcycle groups getting pulled over and harassed for nothing. It was a turn off for visitors. They killed what made the city.
Donald thank you that was a good read. I have lived here since the 90's. I am one heck of a lucky Veteran using this area as my launch pad to see all of Florida. My son and I put pride and hard work to make this the prettiest best place ever. I see no problem no more than what every human on this earth faces and that is death in it's latest most lethal of all weapons mankind ever produced that is the spike protein.
lol. Some of what you showed was Ormond, which is why that area looked "nice." As a local, I'll say your review was extremely accurate. I live next door in Ormond Beach, and the Ridgewood and beach reviews made me laugh out loud. People will riot if you take away their beach driving! And Pirates Cove is the best!!!!!! If you want to know about the town - try talking to Jim, the owner of Abraxas Books. He'll definitely tell you like it is.
Daytona was the greatest place ever in the 80’s. Driving on the beach was the best. But the city management had just as much to do with its down fall as the drugs did. Terrible government
A long time ago, as a lawyer I represented strip clubs in Daytona Beach. The numerous acts by local politicians “cutting off their noses to spite their face” was unbelievable. Their politicians are why Daytona has the problems they have. Your history of it is WAY off and inaccurate.
You have a point, but try to be cognizant of the fact that strip clubs often bring an unsavory element, prostitution, drugs, late night rowdiness, and other quality of life problems. If strip clubs were better neighbors, they woul not have been zoned out.
@@markrichards6863 Actually, the club CLEANED UP the neighborhood. It was a continual presence, well lit on the outside and provided confidence for other businesses to locate and open up there.
Nick, I need a bit of consulting. I'm going to be moving soon from Jacksonville and I need to know if the surfing would be better in Daytona or Jacksonville? Would you say the quality of waves at Joe's Crab shack are better than the waves at Jax's pier? That may be the lineup doesn't consist of over 200 people on a good day like at Jax's pier? Nick, these are the most important questions that anyone could ask. Oh, and thank you for blessing the rains down in Florida!
Born and raised just outside of Daytona. Its started to get crappy after it became a popular spring break location...Turned into a party town. Locals mostly stay away from the place..Nothing but drugs, prostitutes and tourists. We call it Dirtona.
It's like when you put a species of animal in a certain area that doesn't belong and it changes the entire ecosystem, it's the same with humans. When certain humans move to a new area, it changes the entire ecosystem of that area, that's what you have been seeing in different parts of America, such as this. When rich Americans or just other Americans move to Florida, it changes the ecosystem/state.
Don’t forget the bad ideas of the powers that be that change the laws just to line their pockets,that destroys a place fast then you see homeless cities forming .
Areas of Florida are just like that. There are more Steeler or Giant fans in a lot of places than Miami or Tampa fans. You go to a sports bar when the Steelers are playing the Jaguars and wear your teal jersey and you will be in the minority.
Yes, I agree. The rich ones are committing the crimes. Its a shame that those rich folks are doing drugs, holding up the local stores and turning to prostitutes. WTF is wrong with you?
In today's market, I would view Daytona as a "buy low" opportunity. You will pay a fortune to live in the nice cities. The less-glamorous cities usually dont stay bad forever. They will rebound eventually and reward the people who bought in during the bad times.
I actually like visiting Daytona Beach, at least when it isn't super busy. They have a smallish waterpark / arcade that is half decent and it is next to kind of marine exhibit. Boardwalk part of the beach is nice. Near I-95 there are several attractions related to Nascar and racing, including some indoor kart racing places, arcades and mini-golf. Basically there are two parts of Daytona - the beach and racing. As far as beaches go, I prefer Jax beaches (especially Mayport/Hanna Park), St Augustine, or Cocoa/Cape Canaveral. The Buccee's in Daytona is one of my favorite stops on my way to Jax from Orlando.
Nick, every town has a old part and a new part. There is a place where the druggies, bums & gangs live and there is the new Daytona where the people who took school at least partially seriously, where families are moving. There is a new part of Daytona that is beautiful and booming.
1:20 Ive only been to Daytona 3 times. All for a matter of one day or less. And I could still tell youre approaching Richwood(Ridgewood???) before the street sign was visible. LOL.
I've been going to Daytona since the early 70's. It's always been honky-tonk and run down, but there are some nice areas too. You just have to know where to go. I love the wide hard packed sand beach and the waves and vastness of the Atlantic. There are some good hotels with great ocean views and decent restaurants and if you stick to them you can have a nice beach vacation at a reasonable price......There was a time when Miami's South beach was a run down trashy crime ridden area. Now it's beautiful, trendy and the place to be. Maybe in the future Daytona will be an upscale vacation paradise too.
Daytona is just an older area that has seen better days. Going to the beach is just not the draw it was in the 50's and 60's. I think air conditioning did a lot to change that. Today the city depends mostly on events like the Daytona 500 and the Coke 400. They also have Bike Week, Biketoberfest, Jeep Week, and quite a few minor events. Most of the new growth in Daytona Beach is out along the I-95 corridor. That is where the traffic is not on the beach or in the old downtown area. But actually Daytona Beach is a long way from dead. The room taxes continue to set records and the overall tourist economy is still strong.
Point missing in video, Daytona is where people retire. Sorta of a waiting room before passing over (Flying out caskets to burial plots is what the airport does) Conflict occurs with people wanting a quiet place and the bar owner featured.
You're overselling the negatives. I drive a vehicle for a well-known search engine company that has well-regarded mapping capabilities, and I've driven all the way to the end of every single street of every single town in Florida and many other states. I also grew up in N. Florida. There has _always_ been poverty like this, it's not where tourists see it, so all the great and famous times you mention happened while all this poverty was still there, but never seen. So nothing _happened_ to change it. It's just the way it is. There are worse places in other states, I assure you. Try Lewiston, Maine. That said, there are great neighborhoods too, and if you live in a good neighborhood, you'll never see these areas of the city, or even know they exist, if you live there for 80 years.
I am only 54 years old and have seen so many neighborhoods and cities go to heck. You were doing a great job documenting the destruction of America city by city
Corruption in local politicians and city council is off the charts but it has its own economic benefits (drug lords need the lawn cut, pool cleaned , etc. The witnesses and the honest man do not live long. Drownings in Florida are also off the charts. Indian River is 5 feet deep but somehow 30 people (mostly young strong men) have drowned in the last several years. City Data Forums give first hand experience of those trying to make Florida their home. Resistance and costly time-consuming bureaucracy is the roadblock.
Daytona Beach really suffered from the 08 recession, I've worked there, visited etc on and off as an adult but I must admit there has been some improvement the past few years.
I’m a School Guardian in Volusia County…we are issued an 800mhz police radio. I used to scan a lot of channels during the work day, but eventually had to turn of scan for the Daytona area channels (there are 4 or so) because all the air traffic was killing my battery halfway through the day!
Daytona is definitely one of my least favorite beach towns in Florida, and has become very run down. The irony about Daytona is that one of my favorite beach towns in Florida, New Symrna Beach, is just a few miles south of Daytona.
at 7:32 blue building used to be a White Castle burger. closed in the late 80s. was one of a few that were opened in the late 70s early 80s in Florida. It's been so many things but it's now part of a motel lol
As a child my parents took whole family on spring break vacation here in 1987, I'm pretty sure they didn't know about the college students, it was an interesting week?!
So I’m local to the area, as a kid I lived in port Orange and as a teen till now I’ve lived in Ormond Beach, while you were spot on with this video, I gotta point out, the one part where you pointed out some of the good looking areas beachside… you were showing clips of Ormond Beach, the two town are directly connected so no one usually noticed they’ve gone into a new town, you can see Riptides restaurant there, that basically where the border is, Andy Ramano park across the street from where you are is one of the best kept up beach parks in the area, and is all owned by the city of Ormond Beach
Both my parents and myself and my daughter were all born at Halifax hospital which is located near the speedway. I’m lucky, my neighborhood is relatively nice but there is riffraff everywhere in the city. come to Daytona on vacation, leave on probation, come back on violation.
My son married a girl from Port Orange near Daytona, he moved there for her. He couldn't stand it, they finally moved out of FL all together and my son has done very well since leaving FL , best choice he made. FL is a very low wage state , he could never make the money he does now in FL . I live on the Gulf side in Sarasota , one of the better places to live in FL been here for 39 years , for 39 years I have been threatening to leave this state . Still searching for that perfect place for me, I know it's not FL
I have visited several different parts of Florida many many times from NW PA. Have a lot of family in winter park. My favorite place was the Florida Keys by a long shot. Would never wanna live there. Too hot. I like my 4 seasons where I’m at.
@Reverend Boaz Daytona and Ormond offers a variety good Asian / Indian restaurants.... pretty good priced decent food I may add... I know, I'm an Angeleno native but I bought several condos all around the peninsula and I plan to retire in Daytona someday.
We used to go to Daytona back in the early 60's ! I watched a 57 Bel-Air convertible get flooded when tide came in, the couple had rented a room , knocking boots and got inebriated . Poor car. I went to Daytona when I graduated in 73.
I grew up in Volusia county in the 60's and 70's. Saw so many cars half underwater from tourist not aware how far the tides come up. The old boardwalk was pretty cool then.
We just spent a week there ocean front...had a great time. It's real quiet if there is no rally or NASCAR events . Free live music on the Beach Friday and Saturday nights at the music shell with fireworks on Saturday night after the show.
So the bar and hotel owners are upset they're doing less business because the city doesn't want the Spring Break crowds/riff raff... and this is a problem? This place looks like a retirement paradise compared to other major cities in the US.
Agreed. I expected to see glaring signs of urban decay. Most of the streets shown looked pretty clean. From the video this place gives off a more bored - boring vibe than anything else.
@@Peace-tk3gr it's the people, not really the infrastructure. Though almost all the buildings look like they are still there from the 70s and 80s, nothing is modern
I'm retired and live about ten miles south from the Daytona Beach boardwalk. I'm in Daytona at least three times a week for shopping or dining. It's a great area to live near. This guy showed you all the trashy areas. There are beautiful places in Daytona Beach and many greater than $3million homes and they are building more every week. He just wasn't showing you this in the video.
I was in Daytona Beach ⛱️ last year not every where is run down, there were alot of places that were fine but yes there are also places that are rough.
I lived in Ormond Bch. for about 9 years. Nice town. Yes Daytona is that bad and there's a general feeling of despair in the whole area that I found. I made good friends with good people, though most I knew were admittedly stuck in their lives. I would've thought things had turned around by now with all the real estate boom. Thanks for bringing me back without having to go there.
I’m moving the hell out next week.. I can’t even walk down the street without being harassed by junkies … worst part is we can’t even find a decent place to rent!!
Here's the entire Florida road trip playlist right here; th-cam.com/play/PLq-_cmf3H6yrjasT68WYExAWy12ydm2ah.html
Nick we spoke some time ago and u mentioned about maybe moving to eastern Tennessee. Did u?? Friend from Tennessee
Cool Trophy
@@marywegrzyn506 Thank u for confirming that lol!!!! I wasn't real sure if I was correct!! Any small towns between Knoxville and Chattanooga r awesome!! Small towns with small populations right along the foothills of the Smokies. Can't go wrong. I have lived alone for many years and I love it.
This guy trying to flag you down at 1:13 wtf 🤬 no goodnik there woof
It's crazy in the middle of the video when you start talking to that dude and it's the screen is split and he starts talking about the four three hurricanes than four hurricanes that's exactly what just happened to Panama City Beach with hurricane Michael wiped out everything all the nightclubs we were hanging on to a thread in the hurricane after that we were done and the only thing that saved us was covid-19 because Rhonda Santos kept the state open and we were able to have tourists here to sort of keep us afloat
In November 1979 my girlfriend and I came down from Michigan. We stayed at a beachfront motel for $18 a night. We drove on the beach, rode the little mini bikes and had a lot of fun. We never saw the city proper so as you said we as tourists were "funneled" to all the right places. Now at 68 years old I can say there's not a whole lot of places left in the USA that aren't getting skanky to some degree.
Agree with you. Most places in this country has been degenerating for decades and if you want to see places that have been booming and improvement in people’s standard of living, you will need to travel overseas to find those places. Dubai was a fishing village during the 1970’s but it’s now a major international metropolis. Singapore was riddled with crime, corruption, and poverty in the 1960’s but it’s now a major international city. Shenzhen, China, was a fishing village during the 1970’s but it’s now a Special Economic Zone well known for being a global center in tech, R&D, manufacturing, business and economics, finance, tourism, transport and logistics. All of the above (3) cities embrace free market capitalism and are very tough on crimes and drugs. Even Lagos, Nigeria, has been developing and booming lately improving the standard of living of the people in the city.
Moved to Daytona area a few months ago on other side of 95 off LPGA. Love it, everything is new, clean, etc... We are 15-30 minutes to multiple beach to fit whatever our mood from New Smyrna to Flagler. If you visit a place and only focus on worst parts, you will find them.
Everything west of I95 is nice
Everything in those areas as re strictly for the weakthy! Not the average citizen. Lived here 20+ years,
Just moved to Eagle crest from Ormond. We love this area of Daytona; kinda out of the way
Just got back from Daytona Beach a few days ago. Stayed at the Nautilus Inn with my gf, no complaints. Daytona is Not a perfect place by any means, but that’s everywhere. Beach was gorgeous especially at sunrise, we had an oceanfront hotel, food is good, people overall were friendly, the Ponce inlet lighthouse is a short drive away, there’s stuff to do there. It’s not perfect by any means, and I see some areas that could use improvement, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
Saludos, from Miami FL 🏝 🏙
I'm up at Cocoa Beach from Miami as well, it's a small beach town and I love it. Maybe too slow to live here but I really like the vibe
@@Chris_Thorny yeah I agree cocoa is cool too, I’m used to the city life in Miami but it’s an awesome break from the hustle. They have nice places up here 😄
But Hurricanes?
Nautilus is one of the better hotels.
Nautilus Inn is a great hotel. Only place I would stay
Bubba you aint old enough to know old Florida I am.. and I can assure you.. it will never be Old Florida.. again. Development isn't the answer it's the problem. You can't build a town to suite businesses. You build a town to suite families.. It ends up shit if you do it any other way.
Titusville is garbage.
Amen
Florida Native of 58 yrs here (lived all over Florida. From Boca to Destin to St. Augustine (and also lived L.A., N.Y. & Atlanta) & the decline of Daytona has been really sad to watch over the year's. BIG Drug problem & the crime that goes along with it. I hope they find a way to turn it around as it really did use to be a cool place back in the day. If you head north on A1A thing's begin to improve substantially going thru Ormond Bch and next into quaint Flagler Beach (Old FLA 🌴), The Hammock, Crescent Bch, St. Augustine, Vilano Bch into Ponte Vedra before arriving in Jax Beach. I've really enjoyed watching your "Florida series" & think that overall you did a pretty thorough job in such a short time. Florida continues to CHANGE (drastically in many cases)& definitely not always for the better. Once upon a time it was affordable for many & nowadays in retrospect, in today's Florida I would not be able to afford ANY of my former neighborhoods. Grateful that I got to enjoy much of it BEFORE the invasion when it was laid back, fun & affordable. Florida has ALWAYS been a retirement haven for New Yorkers, NJ & Mid westerners so in part that will likely never change, but this "other influx" is something else entirely. Truth is, is that at some point life here will become unsustainable. Too MANY people, too much OVER-Development & eventually not enough resources. Would hate to see us eventually end up in a water CRISIS like CA,AZ,CO etc ETC. The "growth" here has been mismanaged with no other thought than making a quick buck. Much of this new construction is no better than a Cracker Jack's construction made with particle board & snapped together like Lego's within a few week's. Truth of the matter is that most of the home's built before the 80's were built far more superior with concrete block construction & WHY so many of them withstand today surviving the numerous hurricanes over the year's. Another little "secret" these new cookie cutter subdivisions WON'T tell you is that in N.FLA they are built to withstand no more than a CAT 3 storm, unlike S.FLA where they were mandated to withstand up to a CAT5 after the devastating aftermath of Hurricane ANDREW. Meanwhile, we SAW how those lower bldg codes worked out for those in the Panhandle during Hurricane MICHAEL. Anyway's we finally ended up buying a nice older home a month before covid hit and couldn't be happier @$99K with a low mthly mtg pymt. 30 mins from the beaches near the beautiful St. Johns River & the furthest "Inland" that I EVER lived in this state but don't feel "landlocked" with the waterfront close by. IF not for my elderly parent's & family, I probably would have left Florida (again. Lol!) by now because of its increasing unaffordability but to go WHERE ? Just grateful that we found a nice home that "we" could afford, as there's no way I'd be able to RENT here anymore & my heart goes out to those who are really struggling with that right now & SADLY ALL our Florida Animal Shelters are at OVERCAPACITY because of so many who can't afford to keep their pet's anymore because of "No pet" rental rules/policies. Florida is a nice place to live.......BUT ONLY IF you can afford it. Just saying...........
I could not agree more.
Wasn't it always a dump?
@@bravobravoh1344 no
As a native Floridian (Orlando-Winter Park) now NOT living in Florida, I couldn’t agree more. After my husband passed, I would’ve loved to ‘come home’ again. I tested the waters, but it just wasn’t possible…for more reasons than one.
Hopefully this response to KD will get sent correctly. I believe you have fairly stated survival in a tourist town. I also agree to a lot of what you have said. Whoever documented this video could have been a little gentler. Sadly we can agree or disagree. It doesn't matter who's right or who's wrong in their perception. It is all about the money and unfortunately most of us have to struggle with the way things are right right now. I don't know anyone that is not mentally physically and financially stressed. We can still enjoy some of the finest food in the state. We can still enjoy the Sun rises, the sunsets and there's nothing like watching the full moon come up over the horizon. Experiencing a night launch is something you'll never forget. If you look hard enough you can find good pizza good Chinese food. How about some great wings with a cold beer while sitting on a deck somewhere watching life go by. Sadly there is an element that we all need to have a proximity awareness of. We are all in this together. Like it or not. Hanging out with people you know and love is always a good thing. Crank up the grill, put the radio on grab a few cold ones and enjoy some of the most beautiful weather before and after the summer. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay blessed. Any way you look at it if you're reading this the most important part of the equation is.... We are still here!! 🙃
Don’t forget the positive side of Daytona. It is the home of FL Division of Blind Services as well as the Conklin center for the blind. Besides the city buses they also have another transportation system called Votran which is either free or has reduced pricing for the disabled. My daughter is blind and after graduating Florida School for the Deaf and Blind she moved on to the Conklin Center where She learned adult independent living skills and now has her own apartment in the community. She is also continuing her education at Daytona State College with the help of Division of Blind Services. I pray that the depressed areas continue to improve so Daytona can strive and keep up the good work they do for the disabled.
Conklin center closed due to embezzlement by owners
I’m on the Gulf side now, Jax Beaches became too much for me, but I love Daytona and always have. No, it hasn’t changed but all who live there are lucky for that because change and growth can be very detrimental. Don’t know if you’ve been but Clearwater Beach is a disaster and Daytona could have been with that experiment that went very wrong.
Being the same old Daytona also helps the residents afford to live there without the taxes going sky high as in most of what our great state is turning into.
It’s one thing to be a tourist state, and we both live by the beach just different sides, but we also deserve respect as residents. It’s hard but I won’t leave.
And you are correct. Beautiful Florida has given us wonderful opportunities especially for your child.
I watch this guy’s videos and no matter what area he covers, he discounts all of our state.
Now if It’s a plan to have people vacation in California? Great! Hahaha!
If my town’s leaders don’t get with the program, I know I can always feel comfortable in my beloved Daytona. 💜
@@khbow2810 I love Daytona also, so glad we don't have the traffic that other beach towns have
Awesome review Peg!
@@maureenjacobs3697 Peggy would be heartbroken to hear that being they helped her child become self sustainable citizen
I have lived in Daytona Beach all my life. The only places he’s showing are the worst parts of town. And he talked about Ridgewood having been a great area, The areas that he showed on Ridgewood have never been great. Most of the locals have not stopped bringing their children to the beach. They take them there every weekend. Take your negative comments somewhere else Nick
Daytona has been a dump for a long time
Exactly
Just dont want to face facts things need to change for the better
I grew up near Daytona it was nasty in the 70s 80s 90s and now it has always been nasty and everything they try fails
all of his videos are the same "this place sucks" so don't take it too personally. I like Daytona alot.
I'm also a Daytona Beach resident and, unfortunately, everything in this video was spot on. A big part of the problem, which I didn't see mention here, is that Daytona has a "ratchet", or "ghetto" side to it and the town does a really good job of hiding that side from the tourists even though that side is about 70% of the town. There is a sort of "track" formed by International Speedway Blvd and A1A: this is where the town likes to funnel all the tourists. Even the bus service is geared more to serving this area. The rest of the town is where all the grime is located, and it seems to get little attention from the city. Nick's video tour gave you a few shots of the intersection of North St. and Ridgewood Ave; locals consider this one of the worst parts of town (a lot of regularly scheduled homeless feeding events happen here and many drug deals go down on this corner).
The reason the areas north and south of Daytona proper and Holly Hill seem less rundown could be because the police in those towns (Port Orange and Ormond Beach) are far less tolerant of the junkies and transients, and this just chases them all into Daytona. Drive through those particular areas and the difference is like night and day. This just seems like a town whose best days have come and gone.
West Palm Beach also has that Ratchet side. But harder to hide . crazy
In 1990 I applied for a job in the area of Ridgewood and was waiting for my sister to pick me up. So I. Dressed professional not street walker and I had so many Stops asking me for sex services it got scary
@@MichelleJohnson-tg5lx They were probably police trying to set up their stings. They do a lot of it on social media these days.
Hey where do the homeless sleep since y'all got gators and shit?? Seriously
@@davidzellow1292 The campus itself is surprisingly quiet considering its location. The neighborhoods surrounding that campus, on the other hand, are a shitshow
I lived in Daytona Beach 1986 - 1993. I picked up children for Sunday School on a First Baptist church bus in some of those rough areas. Daytona Beach was an affordable place to live back then, but was very expensive by the early 2000's. I moved to Mississippi for family reasons and never left. I love Daytona Beach and have probably made about 30 trips back since I left. Most of the middle class now lives in Port Orange.
I’ve had Daytona on my house hunting map a while and this video filled in a lot of gaps for me. I still can’t help think that these diamonds in the rough are good investments with so many people migrating to Florida. The big issue is waiting it out and watching your back in the interim! Thanks for another great video Nick!
Yeah I’m also looking for a vacation/ income house in Daytona area. Waiting for the bubble to pop. Way too expensive even for Daytona.
I would rent it out in the winter months to snow birds to offset mortgage and stay with here in the summer and weekends
I've lived here since 1987. It has always been trashy. Nothing is happening new today that didn't happen back then.
I like the beautifully built and maintained boat & park services that are available. The new multi services in Holly Hill near city hall. This place is booming LPGA crazy nice.
@@prestonrobert2625 there are bums and hookers walking down Ridgewood at 8am in Holy Hill. Cmon now.
This video made me laugh a lot. Been living in the area for a long time. There is drugs, crime, rich, and poor anywhere you go. What really happened to Daytona is city management not letting Daytona be what Daytona is known for, a tourist trap and it’s yearly events. The city was thriving with little shops all along the strip. Now they all closed down, why? Because Daytona kept trying to clean the city up and push out all the events Daytona was known for. Only event left is just a slice of what the bikers used to bring.
100% to many complaining snowbirds moved in. In 90s/00s Beachside was thriving, you couldn't find a hotel room during large events.
So TRUE!
There is a difference in being a tourist area and having the kids that come here for school completely destroy this town. Yes drug and trash are everywhere however the drugs and crime that are here in Daytona are one of the worst
Everything you said is spot on. 👌
Daytona 500 has no value because Nascar has none.
Poverty, drugs, and decaying homes are everywhere now. Find the beauty where you can. Much has changed in this area... mostly weather related and less partying. Neglect from government creates what this man experienced. My son goes to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University next to Daytona Raceway. It is beautiful in that part.
Can't agree with you more!! My brother will be joining Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. And the location is way more beautiful than expected!!
Next time you're in my "Trashy" town, I'd love to meet you, show you some of the new additions that are making this town's turn around happen. There's a very vibrant business community here and some amazing folks not willing to stand for the status quo.
don't waste your time with this guy, just let him move on.
I need to travel to Daytona. What area is really nice, please.
No, he’s right.. this place sucks and everyone knows it!
Umm..no bro Daytona is the worst place I've ever been in FL. I'm a native of 32 years I've been to every corner of Florida. You are greatly misinformed. It is depressing.
@AatAhmose what did u think? Lol
The growth in this area is north( Ormond Beach) and south ( Port Orange) multiple huge subdivision and shopping areas
Nice video Nick. As a person who goes to Daytona Beach for vacation, you should go to Tropical Manor hotel. It has 1950s history in it, and all the rooms are renovated. It is right on the beach also.
Tropical manor is located in Daytona Beach Shores which is much much better than Daytona Beach
Nick you are one of my favorite youtubers of all time!
Lived for over 20 years in Florida and Daytona Beach has never been any good. No matter if on the beach or inland. It doesn't help that you are allowed to drive on the beach with your car! Many will say, "But that is freedom", however, it hurts the overall community as no high class hotel would want to build a hotel there if people drive by with there Pick Up's while guests would want to relax on the beach.
You are right. I have lived here for 50 years and driving on the beach used to be very cool but now it is definitely a negative. The county has actually negotiated to stop driving in certain areas as a way to get more beachfront development but they just don't have the clout to just cancel driving entirely because of the local political push back. Personally I think they could get nice hotels and condos up pretty fast if they would just shut down the driving.
My freeďom ends there where it damages the environment and hurts people's businesses.
@@DannyWalker247 ,I went there when I was 17 in 1985, stayed at INN on the beach near the pier,do you remember that hotel?
I will drive my pickup any dam where I please .
@@CordeliaWagner for some reason i like that you said “my” freedom.
Great coverage of Daytona. It's beyond me why the city of Daytona doesn't go back to generations of families that are still there to have suggestions and input. Why wouldn't ANYONE want a beach town atmosphere, or a possible combo of yesterday and today. Been to Daytona back in the late 70's and early 80's as a spring breaker, and throughout the years since. It's a shame, a place that could rekindle its beach town vibe if the city officials just get over crapping theirselves. Last time we visited we stayed on the beach, and honestly there is nothing like my morning run at sunrise on Daytona. It's all there for them to replenish, it really is a no brainer.
Hey Nick! Loved your video, grew up in Port Orange and now live in South Florida. Crazy to see you driving down streets from my childhood, passed both of my parent’s jobs. Daytona definitely has its issues, but the people you meet there are some of the most-hardworking and caring you’ll meet. Sorry if your stay wasn’t ideal, and hope you’ll give it another chance one day
Another great video Nick, I am loving your Florida series. Daytona Beach was my senior trip vacation, a few decades ago. It didn't look like this though :(
@@marywegrzyn506 aww fun times, fun times. And I was a "good teen" . Things felt safer, the beach was picked up, The area around A1-A was clean, no panhandlers, definitely no boarded up buildings, I felt safe. I hope one day it can be cleaned up and restored to a popular senior trip destination again
I live in florida, and LOVE these videos. (I live south of tampa bay) but have been to many of the places you’re highlighting. You did a fantastic job! (Especially about Daytona!)
"What the HELL Happened to Daytona Beach, Florida??" City leaders lost their way and ended up in a place they don't like nor recognize anymore so now they want to be something they're not. Different ideas have come and gone, all talk and no action. The problem is they KNOW the city suffers from an identity crisis but nobody with a spine is stepping up to define what Daytona Beach SHOULD be and how much that will cost. Essentially they (city leaders) need to figure out what type of image or type of city they want to be and execute a plan to attain it.
Tbh anything past deltona/deland looks bad
Lived in Volusia County most of my life. Daytona was no different 50 years ago then now though fewer homeless.
The city suffers when the politicians have their special interests met first.
I've been in this county since 87. It's always been trash. Holly Hill has always been known as Holy Hell. Daytona has always been known as Dirtona. Nothing new today.
1:08 what a nice gentleman saying hello to people driving through his neighbourhood 😊😊
Yeah like hello u got some crack bro lol
I was blessed enough to live in New Smyrna Beach side from 99-05.
I grew up surfing south ponce inlet.
It was epic back then.
I am from NSB also great town!
We stayed there for a week and then drove in to Daytona our last day 🙄
Property taxes are so high now, youd literally need to be a millionaire
Live in Smyrna too! Great town !
This has been Daytona for years. We just didn’t have social media to show you how dark Daytona becomes when the lights go out 🤣🤣 Always been fights when Seabreeze lets out, A1A has always been full of homeless druggies, and crime has always been a thing with the number of transients that pushed through the town. Literally nothing has changed for 30 years, it’s just got more populated
Right?
Ha Ha! Local here. Those old school spring breakers never left. LOL. Beach area is fresh with a lot of new restaurants. Hard Rock just came. Tons of music - as always. Great place. No reason to hit the bad areas. All year it has a ton of big events and art.always something to do. Not trashy just casual or high end around the band shell. It is fun!
Daytona needs a shared vision. A 10 year plan. You want a family friendly, sleepy town vibe? Get the damn cars off the beach! Its so trashy. Give tax breaks to new small business - coffee shops, local artist galleries, craft centres, small bars and independent restaurants. Deploy security cameras in the main tourist area - make sure families feel that it's a safe resort for their children. Get absolutely tough on drugs and substance abuse. Employ local people, give back some tax to the community so that they can start to make repairs to the worst areas etc. Clean the streets and the beach of graffiti and litter. None of this is impossible. DB has great foundations - but it needs a vision and focus.
Not with the current regime. They pay companies to create slogans. Everything goes through a PR firm. Ask about Mayor Poopy Water. Ask about infrastructure. It’s all about the almighty dollar and the old regime is no longer in charge.
"Get the damn cars off the beach! Its so trashy." This is it. No one wants to sit on filthy sand, breathing exhaust fumes, with their kids having to watch out for cars just to get to the water. As if watching a parade of cars driving back and forth in front of you is anyone's idea of a vacation. "Trashy" is being too kind.
they'll just whine about gentrification
I agree with most of your statements. However, being able to drive on the beach is a big draw and helps support the businesses on the beach. A good one year plan would turn this town around instamatically. Get rid of the homeless and condemn the run down properties. Knock down these shacks and build nice homes on these properties. Use the broken windows police philosophy just as Giuliani did in NYC. AND STOP ELECTING DEMOCRATS! Problem solved.
Doing all that might offend some anti-racists.
I lived in Daytona Beach 30 years ago. I lived on Madison Ave and Ridgewood. I'm from Dayton Ohio. So for me there were many similarities. What some call a ghetto others call home. I made life long friendships living in Daytona Beach and hope to permanently return some day.
I grew up in FL starting in 1960. It was a wonderful place for a simple family to live. Small houses, everyone knew each other, many good times and lots of good people in neighborhoods just like this. It's sad to see this.
Ocean walk at the beach is pretty nice and they have a nice movie theater and a cool little waterpark there.
“It’s the hard drugs that are really FUCKIN’ this place up” Sailor Nick on this video letting it fly 😂 love it!
I miss the old Daytona Beach… I was born and raised here and I am disgusted with how it is now … it breaks my heart and I am 58
There has to be a little bit more bigger picture thinking than just looking at hours of bar closings. There needs to be master planning , infrastructure upgrades, and re-marketing the national image of the city. No crime. Positive image. No homeless. No drugs. No human trafficking. No kidding!
Truthfully, there are very few good places in FL . Floriduh a location makes it a vacation land with the beaches , but there is very few middle class, it's either rich or poor in FL . And crime has gone off the charts pretty much everywhere in FL .
Only along MLK Blvd.
That’s the problem in a lot of states, even where I am up north..there is no more middle class..your either rich,or poor(livable poor,I should say..your just scraping by)
Other then that-this whole country is going down the 🚽!!!
That’s every not just Florida. Some American are planning on leave the us and going to Europe or China bc crime rate is a low compared to the us
@@lindaschultz7900 I thinks a spoof scam.
Agreed. Florida is one of the biggest ghetto states in the USA with the crime stats to match. #3 for total # of homicides after California and Texas. #3 for Meth usage. #2 largest population of hate groups (KKK, Nazis). #7 largest gang population. #3 Most dangerous roads/highway fatalities. Worst funded public school system in the nation - dead last. Just an awful place to live.
Born and raised in St. Petersburg FL. Been to Daytona half a dozen times and yes, it is a shithole.
St. Pete ain't nothing to brag about either.
Most of Florida is
I guess you don't work for the Chamber of Commerce or the Daytona Visitors Bureau. Stay by the beach, you'll be fine.
St. Pete will always be my home but plenty of $hitty spots in the Burg too
St Pete has some very bad areas also
I have been to Daytona Beach every year since 1990. It has changed a lot. The four hurricanes in 2004 did a lot of damage. The mom and pap places took the insurance money and sold to developers. Their places were tore down. The city was wanting to chase out the spring breakers and bikers and turn Daytona into Beverly Hills. They thought all the baby boomers were gona retire and move into all the new condos that would be built. Then came the housing bubble burst of 2008. Most of the developers backed out of building anything new, so that is why you see a lot of empty land. The city then started begging the spring breakers and bikers to come back. It is very safe walking or driving around Daytona. I just would not be out walking late at night as is the case in any city. The two biggest dangers are getting hit by a car while walking and rip currents. One has to pay close attention crossing streets and to use the crosswalks. Also be sure to swim when lifeguards are present between 10 am and 6 pm. It is fun riding in waves, but there are also dangerous rip currents. The beach is not wide at all. It looked like low tide when you were there. When it is high tide, there is very little beach. You will be sitting on sand with cars driving behind you and the water coming up toward you. The beach used to be 3 times as wide as what it is now. Quite a bit of the sand has washed away. There are no parties on the beach. Alcohol is prohibited on the beach. Beach patrol drives the beach all day long. There are mostly families who pay like 20 bucks to drive and park on the beach for the day. There are def no parties. The biggest danger once again would be watching out for vehicles and rip currents. The Fountain Beach Resort is a very clean and friendly and professional hotel. They are constantly cleaning and emptying trash. There are no wild parties there or marijuana in the hallways. There might be an occ marijuana smell from an outside balcony, but that is true for any hotel these days. If you turned your camera slightly more to the east, you would have seen the view of the ocean. Although not a very good one. The rooms on the south side of the building have better ocean views. The Fountain does golf cart rentals and has a tiki bar/restaurant with live music and amazing views of the ocean. It is a fun and relaxing time there for all. There are two nice fishing piers on the beach. There is quite a bit of free public parking lots along the beach. It is just not free to drive and park on the beach. The Boardwalk is newly renovated. It is very wide and long. The Bandshell on the Boardwalk has free concerts every Fri/Sat. There are Fireworks every Sat night. There are some arcades and restaurants and thrill rides on the boardwalk. Also a free splash pad. There is a really nice convention center on atlantic avenue. Also the Daytona Lagoon water park. There are absolutely no dive bars on atlantic avenue. There is a new Hard Rock Hotel on Atlantic Avenue. The bridges to cross the peninsula to get to the mainland are newly renovated. I have spent some time on the mainland. Ridgewood avenue runs north/south along the peninsula. I would avoid walking on ridgewood at dark. Quite a bit of crime around the smaller motels there. There is a shopping mall, the daytona 500 racetrak, a community college, a huge high school, hospital, airport, worlds largest flea market, and some nice parks on the mainland. Quite a few restaurants and hotels on the mainland as well. Ponce inlet which is just to the south of daytona has a nice lighthouse with museums. There are also nice restaurants at ponce inlet. Daytona is a very close drive to kennedy space center, st. Augustine, and the orlando parks. Daytona is more of a blue collar beach town. They get the daytona 500 crowd, bike week crowd, spring breakers, convention center tourists, and family vacationers. It was never known for the richer snowbirds or transplants cause it is too far to the north. The winters are slightly cooler at daytona Richer people usually go further south. Overall, daytona is a fun place for families to relax on the beach. There are no parties there. It is very safe. A single person would be bored there. As for living there, it would depend on if i had a good paying job.
Seriously, bar hours? Not the issue.
I live just south of Daytona. You really gave an objective, well written and accurate review of the area. Housing prices keep rising but the average pay around Daytona Beach is lower than other areas in Florida. That's a big problem today. But I'm retired, so this area suit me well.
Rich people did come here, albeit a long time ago. For example, Rockefeller died at his mansion in Ormond Beach now known as the Casements.
I grew up in Daytona Beach and live here .There are the slums and drugs everywhere. Daytona beach (actual beach) is beautiful and full of locals with their families. Who cares about spring break and Jerry Springer? My dad worked maintenance in a big hotel back in the rush of spring break.he said it was horrible.they would flood the rooms,punch holes in the walls, steal things and just destroy the rooms and or hotel property. Privileged kids spending their parents money. At least we don't have to deal with that currently.
We do walk around town in the evening on the beaches with no problems. There are homeless people in every city and most are harmless. They did build a homeless shelter but I've heard it's mostly for women and children, not single men. A lot of the homeless are most likely addicted to meth and there aren't any programs to help get them off of it. It's a meth pandemic all over the USA. I do wish they would do a facelift on the beachside to make it have more appeal but otherwise we enjoy the different restaurants and ice cream shops. As for the rent it's insane and they just keep building more and more apartments that people can't afford. I blame the city with poor management. There are too many bars. I always thought this was supposed to be a family town... And I wish you would have shown beach street.. it's super cute and has a lot of businesses that we locals enjoy and visit often. There are events that happen all the time on beach street. (Beach street on the mainland just back over the bridge) Videos like this are what keep people from actually knowing the good side of our town and keep people away and their money.
Hi Nick! You really had me laffing over the Hopker/Daytime/nighttime reference! So true!!!! Ty xo
Ok Lisa.
Your doing a good job.. people need to know what's going on in America
@@harryhanz1690 a conquered empire. Remember where you came from? They are back. Many never left. Tarred and feathered and sent home where they regrouped. As would be expected (victory or vengeance).
Diversity isn't our strength.
@@SignedOff402 Europe?
This hurts a bit, when I was stationed in Georgia (99-01), we would go to Daytona Beach when we had long weekends or leave. We had some great memories there.
It's no different now man. In the 90s Dessert in was one of the trashiest places you could go to. Ridgewood has always been trashy.
Oh 72s and 96s, gotta love those, hanging out with military buds was fun
I'm not even two minutes in, and I'm already loving your spoof on the music from Labyrinth! : D
best movie EVER
@@NickJohnson Agreed!!
I've been going to South Daytona for about the past ten years. You spent a fair bit of time driving on and around Ridgewood Ave aka US Hwy 1. This used to be the main North-South highway between NYC and Miami and was always crowded with FL residents, trucks, and vacationers going in both directions.Many of the old gas stations, motels and restaurants along this route, to include all of the businesses that supported them, went on hard times once I-95 was built in the 1960s. The downward trend accelerated over time as the old owners retired and died off. So whatever you are looking at today is only a shell of its former self due in part to the building of I-95. Also, there is a large stock of old housing and business buildings that is probably too large for today's market and that's affecting things too. Just my two cents. I enjoyed the video.
Over Priced Ghetto Beach Community.....First Time I Went To Daytona was in 1980 as guest of a Bike Club Trying To Get me To Join The Club, However It Didn't Impress Me or Make Me Want To Join Them....It Was Bike Week 1980 and The Drive By Shootings was CRAZY, Was So Happy To Go Back Home When The Week Was Over, Been Back 3 more times for bike week throughout the years and I'm not Impressed and Prefer less People with more INTEGRITY, and MORALS.
Lots of white junkies around in Daytona Beach
Florida itself isn't a state for integrity and morals, its a banana republic run by mafia goons. I'm from there and you can't convince people how much worse it gets every year because they never leave, they don't notice everything around them is poop. Now they are busy destroying the education system, keep them dumb too.
Bike Week 1980,there were no drive by shootings I was there quit making shit up. A bunch of us were camped out at Nova campground and we had one hell of a good time. Didn't miss a bike week at Daytona for 16 years in a row in addition to three visits to Sturgis. Oh and going to bike week is not how you prospect for a real club.
These communities have one thing in common.
A high percentage of LIP's
(Local Indigenous Persons)
@@buckshot6481 white people aren't indigenous, they just act like it.
Nick...
This has been one of the best "DocuTravel" video Series like Ever 👍
It's over 😢
Wow tore my beloved city apart! There's so much more to Daytona then what's you've shared. Makes me wonder if all your other videos are accurate now 🤔
IKR. It's like he was trying to drag it into the ocean and drown it. Not an objective video of Daytona Beach. Sad that many viewers will believe him.
@@AFAskygoddess I have been going to Daytona my whole life and I've absolutely loved every trip! I vote he does a redo of this video to give the people a fair shot at Daytonas better sides!
lol, you ALWAYS crack me up. thanks for the down low on DB. marking it off my list
I was raised in a small German village. Everyone had a bike, people cycled everywhere. Or walked.
Now I live in a very green cozy neighborhood in a big city. Most important: it's walkable.
Everything I need in ten minute walking distance. Doctors, shops, Cafés, Bars.
Living in the US looks awfull. These endless empty spaces, everything is stretched out. And people sit isolated in their homes, nowhere to go, nothing to do. Everything is planned car centered, not about humans and life quality.
Cordelia, I agree with you, but I don't really see any realistic way to make the towns and cities in America like the hamlets and villages of Europe. I think the big problem is just the sheer size of America. I live in South Carolina, and the nearest grocery store is 7 or 8 miles away, and it's a small town, so there are no bus or alternate options. Thus, you're essentially forced to have a car. With a little (a lot) of change in infrastructure, the cities could eventually become less automobile-reliant, but the rural areas? I don't see any feasible options. The spaces are simply too vast to bike or walk and car-pooling is usually impractical, purely from a logistics standpoint.
Live in Ormond Beach a beautiful community few miles North... Love it.. driving on the beach is the best...
I lived in Daytona Beach from 74- 80 it was great 👍 no crime great place loved going to college and living there
The quality of life in this country is gone
Thank your local Democrat for that...
@@freeravenadventures6925 yeah Democrats Republicans doesn't seem like either parties working for us
@@tonysofla the cities are bad, which is all democrat controlled as usual
both bring in cheap labor...
@@tonysofla yes but there's certain areas that are Democrat run or democrat leaning
I was there about 5 years ago and thought to myself “this is Daytona?”… it was so run down and just looked dirty or I should say “UnKept” city wide. I spent most my time in the beach areas and it still felt super neglected. It sad to see it hasn’t changed at all.
I lived in that area in the late 90’s….. it hasn’t changed much since THEN. Which is really sad, because it could really be a great area if given a chance.
@Reverend Boaz These places are nice to live and crime rate is low.
@Reverend Boaz I live in San Diego America finest city.
@Reverend Boaz If the white men picked cotton by themselves in the past, they don't have to deal with these problems now.
@@lindaschultz7900 At first I thought it was cool to be able to drive on the beach, but after a while the beach starts to look like a busy highway.
15 year veteran here. Left in 06 and been back a few times. Daytona is pretty much a flophouse for the events they pimp now. In my time we used to have MTV, Spring Break, Black College Reunion, Canadian Spring Break, Bike week, Biketoberfest, Turkey Rod run, Speed Weeks, The National Collegiate Cheerleading competitions and an active music scene that frequently spawned National acts. Not to mention pro athletes recruited from my high school class (Vince Carter). 3 different concert capable venues (Bank and Blues, The Ocean Center and the Bandshell before it was made private) cheap/free booze scantily clad people and parties everywhere. Usually the worst thing you heard about was a biker biting the dust or a breaker falling off a balcony in season. The place was so overloaded during events the city/county had to get rid of almost all of the draw bridges due to the gridlock from people cruising a1a to Granada back down Ridgewood and back up International speedway to a1a. It was so bad it was faster to walk than drive on beachside, speedway to bel-aire plaza on beachside? 30 minute walk 3 hours by car. We had crackheads, prostitutes, corner pushers, The Outlaws National Clubhouse (and the bombings between rival clubs) and HIV was running rampant in the 90's. If you want a look at Daytona in the heyday watch the video for "Steal my Sunshine" by Len. To answer your question imminent domain was abused to overdevelop the beachside attractions. Adventure Landing/Daytona Lagoon the parking garage and Oceanwalk were converted by imminent domain for private developers. The property owners were either going to take what the city offered or have it more or less confiscated for fire sale prices this was around 1999 when the city told MTV to stop coming and its been downhill from there.
Remember vaguely back in the early 80s some investors wanted to renovate the old Ormond (Hotel?) across Granada Blvd. from the Casements. The city evicted hundreds of elderly living on fixed incomes overnight onto the street. Where they went, probably if lucky some garage apartment.
The lot remained empty for years. Now it's the Ormond Heritage Condominiums.
At that point realized Daytona Beach has *no heart or soul*
Yup. You shared the same Daytona as I did. It was hopping and generally good times by most. It went south in a 5 year span and just continued to get worse. My memory of when it started south was when the college kids started jumping off balcony's and retired folks complaining about everything then cops cracking down on bikers and welp. It all kinda died. I had friends in motorcycle groups getting pulled over and harassed for nothing. It was a turn off for visitors. They killed what made the city.
Donald thank you that was a good read. I have lived here since the 90's. I am one heck of a lucky Veteran using this area as my launch pad to see all of Florida.
My son and I put pride and hard work to make this the prettiest best place ever. I see no problem no more than what every human on this earth faces and that is death in it's latest most lethal of all weapons mankind ever produced that is the spike protein.
Steal my Sunshine, oh holy hell...
Those were absolutely the days...
LMFAO black college..
When we lived in Orlando, I avoided Daytona and always hung out in New Smyrna Beach
@Giovanni Garcia There's no beach in Orlando.
For several years now, Orlando has had rush hour both east and west on I-4. It's crazy packed.
When Is the Space Coast Video going to drop? Palm Beach then Daytona missed a bunch in between
lol. Some of what you showed was Ormond, which is why that area looked "nice." As a local, I'll say your review was extremely accurate. I live next door in Ormond Beach, and the Ridgewood and beach reviews made me laugh out loud. People will riot if you take away their beach driving! And Pirates Cove is the best!!!!!! If you want to know about the town - try talking to Jim, the owner of Abraxas Books. He'll definitely tell you like it is.
Hey,
Really enjoyed your Florida videos, sad you're done...
I guess I'll have to see what other states have to offer.
Keep up the awesome job!
Daytona was the greatest place ever in the 80’s. Driving on the beach was the best. But the city management had just as much to do with its down fall as the drugs did. Terrible government
I gotta give Nick credit, I usually only listen to his videos while I work with my PC and the commentary gets me everytime 😂
A long time ago, as a lawyer I represented strip clubs in Daytona Beach. The numerous acts by local politicians “cutting off their noses to spite their face” was unbelievable. Their politicians are why Daytona has the problems they have.
Your history of it is WAY off and inaccurate.
Politicians are always the problem!
You have a point, but try to be cognizant of the fact that strip clubs often bring an unsavory element, prostitution, drugs, late night rowdiness, and other quality of life problems. If strip clubs were better neighbors, they woul not have been zoned out.
@@markrichards6863 Actually, the club CLEANED UP the neighborhood. It was a continual presence, well lit on the outside and provided confidence for other businesses to locate and open up there.
@@suzannecoe4347 Yes, I'm dying to open up a business next to a strip club. 🙄
@@johnnybgood1169 I am betting you don’t own a car dealership.
Nick, I need a bit of consulting.
I'm going to be moving soon from Jacksonville and I need to know if the surfing would be better in Daytona or Jacksonville? Would you say the quality of waves at Joe's Crab shack are better than the waves at Jax's pier? That may be the lineup doesn't consist of over 200 people on a good day like at Jax's pier?
Nick, these are the most important questions that anyone could ask.
Oh, and thank you for blessing the rains down in Florida!
Born and raised just outside of Daytona. Its started to get crappy after it became a popular spring break location...Turned into a party town. Locals mostly stay away from the place..Nothing but drugs, prostitutes and tourists. We call it Dirtona.
It's like when you put a species of animal in a certain area that doesn't belong and it changes the entire ecosystem, it's the same with humans. When certain humans move to a new area, it changes the entire ecosystem of that area, that's what you have been seeing in different parts of America, such as this. When rich Americans or just other Americans move to Florida, it changes the ecosystem/state.
That’s a polite way to put it.
You are so right. We see this everywhere……and it’s getting worse by the day.
Don’t forget the bad ideas of the powers that be that change the laws just to line their pockets,that destroys a place fast then you see homeless cities forming .
Areas of Florida are just like that. There are more Steeler or Giant fans in a lot of places than Miami or Tampa fans. You go to a sports bar when the Steelers are playing the Jaguars and wear your teal jersey and you will be in the minority.
Yes, I agree. The rich ones are committing the crimes. Its a shame that those rich folks are doing drugs, holding up the local stores and turning to prostitutes. WTF is wrong with you?
I think it was a different type of Americans
In today's market, I would view Daytona as a "buy low" opportunity. You will pay a fortune to live in the nice cities. The less-glamorous cities usually dont stay bad forever. They will rebound eventually and reward the people who bought in during the bad times.
Yes
I actually like visiting Daytona Beach, at least when it isn't super busy. They have a smallish waterpark / arcade that is half decent and it is next to kind of marine exhibit. Boardwalk part of the beach is nice. Near I-95 there are several attractions related to Nascar and racing, including some indoor kart racing places, arcades and mini-golf. Basically there are two parts of Daytona - the beach and racing. As far as beaches go, I prefer Jax beaches (especially Mayport/Hanna Park), St Augustine, or Cocoa/Cape Canaveral. The Buccee's in Daytona is one of my favorite stops on my way to Jax from Orlando.
Nick, every town has a old part and a new part. There is a place where the druggies, bums & gangs live and there is the new Daytona where the people who took school at least partially seriously, where families are moving. There is a new part of Daytona that is beautiful and booming.
1:20 Ive only been to Daytona 3 times. All for a matter of one day or less. And I could still tell youre approaching Richwood(Ridgewood???) before the street sign was visible. LOL.
I've been going to Daytona since the early 70's. It's always been honky-tonk and run down, but there are some nice areas too. You just have to know where to go. I love the wide hard packed sand beach and the waves and vastness of the Atlantic. There are some good hotels with great ocean views and decent restaurants and if you stick to them you can have a nice beach vacation at a reasonable price......There was a time when Miami's South beach was a run down trashy crime ridden area. Now it's beautiful, trendy and the place to be. Maybe in the future Daytona will be an upscale vacation paradise too.
@bigonprivacy2708 I am from Kendall, SW of Miami. I grew up in the late 60's and 70's.
Daytona is just an older area that has seen better days. Going to the beach is just not the draw it was in the 50's and 60's. I think air conditioning did a lot to change that. Today the city depends mostly on events like the Daytona 500 and the Coke 400. They also have Bike Week, Biketoberfest, Jeep Week, and quite a few minor events. Most of the new growth in Daytona Beach is out along the I-95 corridor. That is where the traffic is not on the beach or in the old downtown area. But actually Daytona Beach is a long way from dead. The room taxes continue to set records and the overall tourist economy is still strong.
Point missing in video, Daytona is where people retire. Sorta of a waiting room before passing over (Flying out caskets to burial plots is what the airport does)
Conflict occurs with people wanting a quiet place and the bar owner featured.
You're overselling the negatives. I drive a vehicle for a well-known search engine company that has well-regarded mapping capabilities, and I've driven all the way to the end of every single street of every single town in Florida and many other states. I also grew up in N. Florida.
There has _always_ been poverty like this, it's not where tourists see it, so all the great and famous times you mention happened while all this poverty was still there, but never seen. So nothing _happened_ to change it. It's just the way it is. There are worse places in other states, I assure you. Try Lewiston, Maine.
That said, there are great neighborhoods too, and if you live in a good neighborhood, you'll never see these areas of the city, or even know they exist, if you live there for 80 years.
Did you visit the NASCAR track? They have amazing track for the Daytona 500!! And Homestead Speedway too!!
Yup cool race tracks.
I am only 54 years old and have seen so many neighborhoods and cities go to heck. You were doing a great job documenting the destruction of America city by city
Corruption in local politicians and city council is off the charts but it has its own economic benefits (drug lords need the lawn cut, pool cleaned , etc. The witnesses and the honest man do not live long. Drownings in Florida are also off the charts. Indian River is 5 feet deep but somehow 30 people (mostly young strong men) have drowned in the last several years. City Data Forums give first hand experience of those trying to make Florida their home. Resistance and costly time-consuming bureaucracy is the roadblock.
Nick, what’s your opinion on Sanford, FL ?
Sanford is like any town, good parts and bad, right next door is Lake Mary which is a great place, very low crime rate 👍🏻
Daytona Beach really suffered from the 08 recession, I've worked there, visited etc on and off as an adult but I must admit there has been some improvement the past few years.
I’m a School Guardian in Volusia County…we are issued an 800mhz police radio. I used to scan a lot of channels during the work day, but eventually had to turn of scan for the Daytona area channels (there are 4 or so) because all the air traffic was killing my battery halfway through the day!
@@floridagirl386 45 as in caliber of weapon? What county are you in?
Daytona is definitely one of my least favorite beach towns in Florida, and has become very run down. The irony about Daytona is that one of my favorite beach towns in Florida, New Symrna Beach, is just a few miles south of Daytona.
at 7:32 blue building used to be a White Castle burger. closed in the late 80s. was one of a few that were opened in the late 70s early 80s in Florida. It's been so many things but it's now part of a motel lol
As a child my parents took whole family on spring break vacation here in 1987, I'm pretty sure they didn't know about the college students, it was an interesting week?!
So I’m local to the area, as a kid I lived in port Orange and as a teen till now I’ve lived in Ormond Beach, while you were spot on with this video, I gotta point out, the one part where you pointed out some of the good looking areas beachside… you were showing clips of Ormond Beach, the two town are directly connected so no one usually noticed they’ve gone into a new town, you can see Riptides restaurant there, that basically where the border is, Andy Ramano park across the street from where you are is one of the best kept up beach parks in the area, and is all owned by the city of Ormond Beach
Both my parents and myself and my daughter were all born at Halifax hospital which is located near the speedway. I’m lucky, my neighborhood is relatively nice but there is riffraff everywhere in the city. come to Daytona on vacation, leave on probation, come back on violation.
I lived in Holly Hill from 79-81 and it was fun as heck! You could drive on the beach and drink in certain areas! Mr. P’s bar was our hang out!
My son married a girl from Port Orange near Daytona, he moved there for her. He couldn't stand it, they finally moved out of FL all together and my son has done very well since leaving FL , best choice he made. FL is a very low wage state , he could never make the money he does now in FL . I live on the Gulf side in Sarasota , one of the better places to live in FL been here for 39 years , for 39 years I have been threatening to leave this state . Still searching for that perfect place for me, I know it's not FL
Same boat here...I live in MN.and just hate it,I want to go back to FL.though.I hope you find your place to be happy.
39 years?
I have visited several different parts of Florida many many times from NW PA. Have a lot of family in winter park. My favorite place was the Florida Keys by a long shot. Would never wanna live there. Too hot. I like my 4 seasons where I’m at.
Where did your son move to? I was thinking about moving to Florida, but?
Bye
Buc-ee's does indeed rock.
Prices are high but they have some awesome stuff.
Especially the beast burrito and the big buckin brisket sandwich 😃
Daytona analysis is spot on! Lived here most my life. Hoping to afford a home one day.
@Reverend Boaz Daytona and Ormond offers a variety good Asian / Indian restaurants.... pretty good priced decent food I may add... I know, I'm an Angeleno native but I bought several condos all around the peninsula and I plan to retire in Daytona someday.
I LIKE YOUR VIDEOS MAN!! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
I lived in Ormond Beach and loved it! Around 1986
The Ormond Beach Garage Restaurant is Awesome!!!
12:08 looks like a book cover for Pat Frank's novel "Alas, Babylon" viewed from Daytona Beach towards the Leesburg/Eustis/Mt. Dora area.
We used to go to Daytona back in the early 60's ! I watched a 57 Bel-Air convertible get flooded when tide came in, the couple had rented a room , knocking boots and got inebriated . Poor car. I went to Daytona when I graduated in 73.
I grew up in Volusia county in the 60's and 70's. Saw so many cars half underwater from tourist not aware how far the tides come up. The old boardwalk was pretty cool then.
We just spent a week there ocean front...had a great time. It's real quiet if there is no rally or NASCAR events . Free live music on the Beach Friday and Saturday nights at the music shell with fireworks on Saturday night after the show.
So the bar and hotel owners are upset they're doing less business because the city doesn't want the Spring Break crowds/riff raff... and this is a problem? This place looks like a retirement paradise compared to other major cities in the US.
College students are "riff/raff"?
Agreed. I expected to see glaring signs of urban decay. Most of the streets shown looked pretty clean. From the video this place gives off a more bored - boring vibe than anything else.
@@mikeobrien288 yes. Lol
@@Peace-tk3gr it's the people, not really the infrastructure. Though almost all the buildings look like they are still there from the 70s and 80s, nothing is modern
I'm retired and live about ten miles south from the Daytona Beach boardwalk. I'm in Daytona at least three times a week for shopping or dining. It's a great area to live near. This guy showed you all the trashy areas. There are beautiful places in Daytona Beach and many greater than $3million homes and they are building more every week. He just wasn't showing you this in the video.
Awesome video. Loved the "duet"!
I knew you would FRANK
You are hilarious! I love your songs!
Hey I got a question for you I know you were in Florida did you do a video for the Orlando area
I was in Daytona Beach ⛱️ last year not every where is run down, there were alot of places that were fine but yes there are also places that are rough.
@Reverend Boaz But it doesn't lack Spanish and Caucasian. It has plenty and many like myself are satisfied with just them.
I lived in Ormond Bch. for about 9 years. Nice town. Yes Daytona is that bad and there's a general feeling of despair in the whole area that I found. I made good friends with good people, though most I knew were admittedly stuck in their lives. I would've thought things had turned around by now with all the real estate boom. Thanks for bringing me back without having to go there.
I’m moving the hell out next week.. I can’t even walk down the street without being harassed by junkies … worst part is we can’t even find a decent place to rent!!
I'm on the west coast. Homeless people, street people, junkies and the rental problem is bad here too.
@Wild Rose Healing Co. Come to CT!! Nick just did a video on how crappy our cities are😂😂😂
Thank a purple haired progressive for that
Nick spending a ton of energy on Florida! Must be the charm!
been living near ridgewood for almost all my life and its nowhere near as bad as you made it sound