The border between Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario has long shaped how the twin cities see themselves. In a new viral video, travel creator Peter Santenello explores this divide by speaking directly with locals on both sides. From an employee at the Tower of History who hasn’t crossed the bridge in decades to a city commissioner balancing civic duty with shifts at Zorba’s Greek American Restaurant, the Michigan perspective often emphasizes cheaper goods and stricter regulations. Across the river, Rotaryfest provides a backdrop for Ontarians reflecting on downtown vibrancy, steel mill challenges, and the arrival of new immigrant communities.
The film captures stark contrasts: one side boasts cleaner streets and festivals, the other points to environmental oversight and economic struggles. Opinions on governance, law enforcement, and cultural pride vary wildly, but together they paint a vivid picture of two cities bound by history yet shaped by national identity. With more than a million views in under a week, the video proves how everyday voices can illuminate the complexity of life in border towns.