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Free Public Transit in downtown – With lots of reasonably dense suburbs surrounding the CBD, having free transit through the center encourages commuters to stay out of their cars when they have short trips thereby reducing the need for parking and reducing congestion.
- An urban growth boundary – The city has defined growth areas where new neighborhoods can be built. Leapfrog development is not allowed. Most of the land in the Williamette Valley is fertile farm land and would be wasted on LA style suburbs. The boundary encourages redevelopment and infill development and minimizes the need for roads, utilities and city services.
- Bike Lanes – Portland is way ahead of most warm weather cities in installing and maintaining a functional bike lane network that actually gets people to where they need to go and educates drivers that bikes have equal rights to the paved way.
- Mt. Hood – The snow capped dormant volcano watches over the city and reminds people of the permanence and enduring power of nature. It gives the city strength and meaning.
- Food and drink – With more restaurants per capita than San Francisco, this city provides. An innovative brewing culture and some amazing vineyards close by ensure that you won’t go thirsty either. The Archery Summit Pinots are unparalleled.