Poorest Region of America - What It Really Looks Like 🇺🇸

Thanks for coming along on this Appalachian journey! This is the start of a 8-part series: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyPgwIPkHo5If6xyrkr-s2… ► Map on the economic wellbeing of counties in Appalachia: www.arc.gov/map/county-economic-status-in-appalach… ► 🎥 More Behind the Scenes Videos: petersantenello.com/ ► 📝 My Free Weekly Newsletter: www.bit.ly/3HC36EH ► 👕 Merch: innercircle.petersantenello.com/collections/all

I'm from Russia, and it's so eye-opening to see people from the other part of the globe having the same problems as my people do. It makes me think we are way closer than politicians want us to believe. Thank you for giving voice to these people, great work!

What's even more sad, is that closed walmart came in, killed off all the mom and pop grocers that had probably been around for a century, then realized they'd overestimated and closed it down, leaving a massive, brutalist brick store to decay in the beautiful woodlands. Walmart and large grocery chains are convenient, but they're also tragic.

This video cuts SO MUCH deeper than all the typical 60 Minutes type documentaries. It makes me feel like I’m there with you talking to them, riding around in your truck. (Also, bless, bless for solid CCs!)

That lady in the blue top who gave Peter the cold bottle of water seems like such a lovely person, the man too. So hospitable, so kind, I'm mesmerised at how welcoming these people are. They just let him into the property like he's an old friend, no fear, nothing. Wonderful people and a place I would genuinely like to visit one day when I visit the US.

I was an international student from Ethiopia when I first came to the Appalachians as part of our senior retreat . I went to a very expensive high school in Chicago and at first our teachers were warning us how we may receive racist comments from the locals . First, I’d like to say how welcoming they were to me. Secondly I never thought poverty at this level existed in America . We stayed there and built them a house and everything they needed. That was an eye-opening experience and I would do it again ! I hope every American visit the Appalachians ! America is NOT only New York or California !! ❤️❤️❤️

I’m 18 and I live in one of the counties shown in this video. I’ve never seen anyone cover us like this, and the fact it’s got 8 million views in just 5 days is blowing my mind. Thanks for bringing light to us, it really feels like the rest of the world has forgotten we exist. It’s a rough way but I don’t plan on moving off. These mountains are my home.

I am an immigrant from Russia, I work on a boxtruck - I travel all over America, and from the very first time the Apalachee seemed to me a wonderful country where I would like to stay and live. Despite the poverty of this region, people and nature attract me. Thanks for the report, great journalism

The historian dude, who was singing at the fishing hall, was absolutely amazing to listen to!

My favorite part was when you talked to the boys who were fishing under the bridge. They challenge our preconceived notions of what kind of kids we’ve been led to believe they might be. Four hard-working, straight edge boys, including a diesel mechanic, a manager, and an eloquent and intelligent kid with a full ride to college. Humbled me.

I lived very briefly in Ripley West Virginia, when i was 19. My boyfriend, his friend and myself went for a ride in the hills. The truck we were in broke down as it was getting dark, so we started walking. We we're stuck and walking in the dark in the deep country. We came across a house with an elderly husband and wife, who didn't even have a bathroom, they had an out house, but they were the nicest people in the world. They invited us into their home, offerd us coffe and they helped us. They had a bigger truck and they were able to tow us out of there the country way, and get us home. We gave them ehat money we had. Im 51 years old now, and ill never forget that nice couple.

His buddy saying, “sing for him.” So cute

Greetings from Germany! Thank you Peter, for introducing the world to places in the US we probably will never have the chance to visit ourselves. I love following you on your journeys through the US. I truly hope the people in Southern West Virginia can turn their lives around. The area should be great for hiking and outdoor activities... there's much potential! Btw, the history kid in this episode got his facts mixed up. The battle around Arminius/Hermann took place in the Teutoburg Forest and the Hermann Memorial is located near the city of Detmold in North Rhine-Westphalia. Still remarkable that US kids know about German history. Pretty cool.

Those youngsters at the end of the video were amazing kids. 18 year old diesel mechanic, 16 year old dairy queen manager, and the other youngster knew everything about history. That's what I like to see

In my opinion this is the type of stuff that should be on Netflix. So respectful, empathetic, considerate, sincere. If documentaries like this were widespread and mainstream, things would change. Seriously.

45 yo dude from France here. I can't get enough of these people's accent. Something about West Virginia touches me in a very odd way. Come to Reunion Island one day, that would be a very cool way to see my family's place. The green landscape might be the link between those two very distinct regions of the world. Discovered your channel today, it's awesome and it seems you're pretty popular, to say the least. keep it up, thank you.

Stumbled across this clip by accident and so delighted I did. Informative and fascinating to see this part of the US and to meet some of the people living there. Will be regularly checking in after today's experience. Many thanks for sharing your experiences with us. All the best from Sweden.

Impressed by the boy at the bridge. The way he talks about his family, veterans and locals. With respect and dignity. He has pride and a vision on the world. An example for many.

As a Kentuckian I can not express how happy I am that you are visiting these places and giving these folks a voice. You are humble and open minded and this kind of journalism (or whatever you want to call it) is desperately needed on the internet today. Thank you for your work- you can be assured that you def aren't part of the social media problem you talked about :)

Watching from the UK - really interesting video. Feels like a different world, I can only imagine the culture shock I'd feel visiting somewhere like this.