Archives for August 2009

Update: The Tyee has published a three part series by Christine McLaren, of which Why Portland Beats Vancouver was the first installment. Installment number two is Portland’s Bicycle Brilliance. Part three: Portland’s Progress on Homelessness.

I’ve never been to Vancouver, B.C., but it’s been on my shortlist of places to visit for quite some time (and very soon it will be much easier to make the trip).

But I have had high expectations for the place, as it always seems to be near the top of the best-places-to-live lists, and like Portland, is reknown for its compact urban center and urban planning. But it tells you how much I know about Vancouver that I was surprised by the findings of Vancouver, B.C. writer Christine McLaren in her article for The Tyee: Why Portland Beats Vancouver.

Free art gallery shows every first Thursday of the month? Massive burritos with all the fixings for under $5? $2 Beer!?

You mean you can’t get these things in Vancouver!?

And apparently in Vancouver it can cost upwards of half a million dollars for a liquor permit, on top of the onerous zoning requirements. Whereas in Portland . . .

Opening a bar in Portland is an almost universally obtainable goal. Assuming you pass the proper criminal record check and provide a statement of funding, a full on liquor license from the state costs a grand total of $402.62 on top of a $100 business license from the city and a few other small fees.

These are two examples from the piece that really jumped out at me. Vancouver is still the home of my favorite radio show, and of course there are the coffee shops. After reading the article, I still plan on visiting. But my expectations have definitely been tempered.

Note: Later this week we have a chance to witness another competition between the two cities, as the Portland Timbers host the Vancouver Whitecaps at PGE Park at 7pm. See you Thirsty Thursday!