In the United States, the definition of green cities includes the development and utilization of clean renewable energy, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly designs in new buildings and renovations of old communities, the development of urban public transport and low-emission vehicles, waste sorting and recycling by residents, and the preservation and expansion of urban green spaces and gardens. Together, these elements provide more choices for residents' green lifestyles and gradually achieve sustainable development.
For new immigrants to the United States, choosing a green city to settle in is a good start to a new life. Worldway's immigration experts introduce the rankings of green cities in the United States by authoritative organizations:
1st Place: Portland, Oregon
2nd Place: San Francisco, California
3rd Place: Boston, Massachusetts
4th Place: Oakland, California
5th Place: Eugene, Oregon
6th Place: Cambridge, Massachusetts
7th Place: Berkeley, California
8th Place: Seattle, Washington
9th Place: Chicago, Illinois
10th Place: Austin, Texas
Six of these ten cities are located on the West Coast of the United States, all north of San Francisco, with two in Oregon, where Portland ranks first. California has three cities on the list, all located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cities in the Northeastern New England region also place a strong emphasis on environmental protection, with Boston and Cambridge making the top ten and ranking quite high, with Cambridge being home to Harvard and MIT.
Portland has a population of 580,000, ranking first in Oregon and 28th in the United States. Using a popular saying in China, it can only be considered a second or third-tier city in the U.S. The aforementioned requirements for green cities, including common practices such as waste sorting, recycling, and environmental cleanliness and greening, are not only well implemented in Portland but also have their unique characteristics, which is why it ranks first among green cities.
Portland encourages residents to return to nature, utilizing their own yards to grow vegetables and fruits, and even allows the keeping of small animals, including egg-laying chickens, milking dwarf goats, and honey-producing bees. In Portland, if you keep no more than three small animals, no permit is required; if you keep more than three, obtaining a permit is also quite easy. The annual fee for an animal keeping permit is only $31, and beekeeping for up to four hives costs $12. As long as you comply with regulations ensuring the safety of neighbors and the community, common livestock and poultry can be kept, except for roosters and pigs over 95 pounds and 18 inches tall.
Portland is located at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Willamette River, with about ten bridges connecting the downtown area. In addition to convenient public transport, it is also one of the most popular cities for cycling in the United States. The city has designated bike lanes, which have increased from 80 miles (approximately 130 kilometers) in the early 1990s to 324 miles (418 kilometers) today. The number of people cycling across the river daily has increased from over 3,000 to nearly 20,000. For a city with a population of less than 600,000, about one-tenth of commuters use bicycles as their daily mode of transportation, significantly reducing gasoline consumption and air pollution, not to mention the health benefits of exercise, which is a rare achievement in the United States.
Portland is also actively developing wind and solar energy, with 25% of the city's energy supply expected to come from renewable sources by 2025. The city requires energy-saving and environmentally friendly measures for new infrastructure projects and renovations of old buildings, with 130 buildings already certified to meet LEED green standards.
Worldway's immigration experts point out that most people immigrate to the United States not only for its excellent air quality but also for its soft environment, such as the emphasis on self-actualization, the inclusiveness of American society, and advanced educational and healthcare resources, as well as social welfare. To better enjoy the international educational resources, healthcare system, and welfare in the United States, obtaining a legal status is crucial. The EB-5 investment immigration program in the United States is popular due to its simple application requirements and short processing time. One application allows the entire family to immigrate, enjoying not only high-quality healthcare benefits but also advanced international education. After obtaining a green card, one can freely enter and exit the United States and reside and work anywhere in the country without immigration monitoring.
The key to successful EB-5 investment immigration in the United States lies in choosing the right project. In the fiscal year 2015, U.S. investment immigration will face significant events such as the arrival of visa backlogs, a surge in applications, and the expiration of the regional center program, which may likely increase investment amounts. Therefore, choosing an EB-5 project that has been pre-approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services becomes the best option to cope with uncertainties. The Pennsylvania Turnpike project and the New York Liberty Garden luxury apartment project, both represented by Worldway, are high-quality EB-5 projects pre-approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigrating to the United States allows you to enjoy high-quality healthcare and educational resources; please act quickly to secure your opportunity at 400-138-2929.
