[cal_guy]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Wow, a lot of rhetoric. Portland is high up in municipal debt, at $5,200 per capita. Calgary debt is at half that amount. Assuming 2.5 to 3 people per average household, this translates to $12,500 - $15,000 municipal debt per household for Portland. Most of this debt has been incurred doing ambitious urban renewal projects that were not supported by corresponding population growth. Instead, they went the tax hike route and reduction in general service level (which is where Calgary is headed now). Plus, they have stopped outside growth through a political decision, thus inflating inner city real estate prices artificially and forcing out those who couldn't afford a home to the bedroom communities (which is where Calgary is headed now as well). If that is "trendsetting and resounding success" for you, then we have different understanding of success.

Portland's saving grace is its attractive location and climate. Calgary does not have those luxuries.

Houston the poster child for sprawl has a municipal debt of about $6200 per capita.