All of this recognition is in part due to the city's efforts tocontrol urban sprawl, however, which Oregon voters appear to havethrown out with the bathwater last week in approving ballot Measure7. The ultimate effects of that measure, which will likely bedecided by the courts, requires Oregon governments to compensatelandowners when any action by that government lowers their propertyvalues. For example, a property inside the region's urban growthboundary is worth much more than one left outside the boundary.Under Measure 7, the owner left outside could request compensationfrom the government.

As well, the median price for a single-family home here is$165,700, making it one of the nation's least-affordable housingmarkets. Nonetheless, Portland is No. 1. Money magazine credits thecity's transformation from timber dependency to semiconductordependency, its excellent job market and its job growth, which isprojected at 26% over the next decade. Its transit system, itsbrewpubs and its proximity to Mount Hood, the Columbia River Gorgeand the Pacific Ocean also weighed in the decision, according tothe magazine.

By region, Money magazine chose Chicago as the best place tolive in the Midwest, Providence, RI, in the East,Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, in the South and Salt Lake City inthe West. Sarasota, Fla., was named the nation's most livable smallcity.