Portland, Oregon

Considered as the greenest city in America, Portland provides a livable, green space for its population of just more than one half million.  More than 30 years ago, while other cities were in a freeway-building frenzy, Portland was tearing down a six-lane expressway to make room for a waterfront park. Since then the city has protected 25 million acres of forest and farmland, started a solid-waste program that recycles more than half of the city’s trash and erected more than 50 public buildings that meet tough standards set by the United States Green Building Council. One of the most bike-friendly cities in the US, Portland’s promotes public transportation systems by offering free rides throughout downtown.  Add in one of the nation’s largest city parks – the aptly named Forest Park has 74 miles of running, biking and hiking trails – and Portland’s reputation as the nation’s greenest city makes sense.