Re:The Great Cul-De-Sac Problem And How To Alleviate It.
by michaelchisari on Sunday October 02, 2011 @04:21AM
(#3062360)
I have no idea what benefit this extra level of government actually provides, though.
I have public infrastructure (transportation, libraries, etc) in the city of Chicago that the suburbs could only dream of.
Re:The Great Cul-De-Sac Problem And How To Alleviate It.
by bdunbar on Sunday October 02, 2011 @10:22AM
(#3062904)
I don't know the suburbs of Chicago. Where I live we have enough public transportation (bus) and a decent library system.
We don't need the massive public infrastructure you have because we're not a Big City.
Property taxes in my suburb are around three quarters compared to the nearby city (Atlanta, GA - millage rate 44.435; Gwinnett, GA - millage rate 32.10). Couple that with the fact that houses are much much cheaper, and in practice I pay ~$2000/year property taxes on my house while my friend pays over $5000/year in property taxes for his condo in the city. Then my mortgage and insurance are also cheaper, and it works out to be much cheaper. But I have to drive more.
Part of the reason is more government - cities will tack on their own taxes to pay for the city government. I have no idea what benefit this extra level of government actually provides, though.