A city that is completely privately owned in Minnesota

[lew]

City of North Oaks -- Welcome to the official website for the City of North Oaks

Located in the Twin Cities,just northeast of St. Paul, Minnesota, North Oaks is a unique suburban community. With a rich history and emphasis on retaining the natural environment, North Oaks celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006.

Approximately 4500 residents call North Oaks home. Because residents' properties extend to halfway across the road, all residential roads in the City are private and for the use of North Oaks residents and their invited guests only.

The City owns no property. With residents owning the roads, the North Oaks Home Owners' Association owns the park and recreation areas and trails throughout the City.

This website is run by the City of North Oaks and serves as a major communications tool for the entire community. Here you can find information about the operation of our local government, homeowner's associations, community news, promotion of local events and answers to many frequently asked questions.

Oh wow look, a city that the government owns nothing and yet, people aren't slaughtering each other like crazy. And there's not expensive tolls on the private roads. WTF? Are you telling me that private property rights and freedom actually do work?


I guess until I move to Switzerland, I should consider this place in the interim period.

[A_C_E]

Originally Posted by lew

City of North Oaks -- Welcome to the official website for the City of North Oaks





Oh wow look, a city that the government owns nothing and yet, people aren't slaughtering each other like crazy. And there's not expensive tolls on the private roads. WTF? Are you telling me that private property rights and freedom actually do work?


I guess until I move to Switzerland, I should consider this place in the interim period.

Right, because most municipalities in America have the following characteristics:

Only 4,500 residents
Median age of 45
Median household income over $160,000
Median house/condo value of $715,900
93% Caucasian demographic (homogenous population)
Well above-average property taxes
7 burglaries and zero violent crime (since 2002)
Percentage of population with college degree significantly above state average

Yea, that'll work everywhere

[Ardentfrost]

Originally Posted by A_C_E

Right, because most municipalities in America have the following characteristics:

Only 4,500 residents
Median age of 45
Median household income over $160,000
Median house/condo value of $715,900
93% Caucasian demographic (homogenous population)
Well above-average property taxes
7 burglaries and zero violent crime (since 2002)
Percentage of population with college degree significantly above state average

Yea, that'll work everywhere

I think some of the reasons you mentioned is why it can even be tried. Good luck convincing a metro area to try that kinda stuff. The current government in the area would shit bricks and publicize dooms-day scenarios.

[lew]

Originally Posted by A_C_E

Right, because most municipalities in America have the following characteristics:

Only 4,500 residents
Median age of 45
Median household income over $160,000
Median house/condo value of $715,900
93% Caucasian demographic (homogenous population)
Well above-average property taxes
7 burglaries and zero violent crime (since 2002)
Percentage of population with college degree significantly above state average

Yea, that'll work everywhere

First reply for excuses to start coming out, pretty quick.

[A_C_E]

Originally Posted by lew

First reply for excuses to start coming out, pretty quick.

I think the fact that the percentage property taxes are far above the state average should pretty much kill your little anarchist dream land, shouldn't it?

[Ardentfrost]

I would like to point out A_C_E's reaction is funny to me. I don't know if he specifically has said this in the past, but other liberals on the board have said "why don't you go to a town and buy up all the property and start your own libertarian utopia" (or something like that, I'm paraphrasing). Then there IS a town that owns none of the property which doesn't say anything about their local government other than their desire to maintain property rights to individuals, and someone says "well, the only reason something like this can work there is because the population is small and the people are rich!"

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[A_C_E]

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

I would like to point out A_C_E's reaction is funny to me. I don't know if he specifically has said this in the past, but other liberals on the board have said "why don't you go to a town and buy up all the property and start your own libertarian utopia" (or something like that, I'm paraphrasing). Then there IS a town that owns none of the property which doesn't say anything about their local government other than their desire to maintain property rights to individuals, and someone says "well, the only reason something like this can work there is because the population is small and the people are rich!"

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Originally Posted by A_C_E

I think the fact that the percentage property taxes are far above the state average should pretty much kill your little anarchist dream land, shouldn't it?

This setup is only possible because the area has very high property taxes.

Far be it from me to judge, but that doesn't exactly seem like a libertarian's utopia now, does it?

[lew]

Originally Posted by A_C_E

I think the fact that the percentage property taxes are far above the state average should pretty much kill your little anarchist dream land, shouldn't it?

It all depends upon a multitude of other factors.


Private roads have to be paid for somehow, either with property taxes, tolls, or some other method.


I am not opposed to all property taxes. It all depends upon the whole scheme of things.

If they tax your property, income, and purchases, all at high levels, then sure, I probably wouldn't want to live in a place like that.


But just because they tax property means nothing to me. I need to evaluate the whole system they have setup there.


Thus far, I'm impressed. No public property at all? All private property. Sounds great.

[Stylerod]

I wonder how much the homeowners dues are? And if a pothole shows up in the road in front of your house do you have to fix it?

[motivez]

Half way across the street? So what happens if the person decides they don't want people using that part of the street anymore, want to demolish it and build a fountain or something?

Congrats to them for setting this place up though. When are you guys moving there?

[lew]

Originally Posted by motivez

Half way across the street? So what happens if the person decides they don't want people using that part of the street anymore, want to demolish it and build a fountain or something?

Congrats to them for setting this place up though. When are you guys moving there?

I'd move to Switzerland in a heartbeat if my wife would allow it.

[motivez]

Why Switzerland?

[Ardentfrost]

Yeah, why Switzerland? I thought they were socialist.

[David Octavius]

Since when is 4500 people a city?

[lew]

Originally Posted by motivez

Why Switzerland?

Numerous reasons.


First, it's a federal republic that recognizes strong states' rights.

Second, I love the country's stance on neutrality. They haven't been to war in almost 200 years.

Third, they have an amazing economy. They have reasonable taxes (I'd still like them lower, sure ) and support free trade. (with the exception of agricultural protectionism) Their currency also rests on some sort of weird, half-assed gold standard.

Fourth, they have moderate immigration laws.

Fifth, they have close to direct democracy, which in particular I like because anyone can (with the correct amount of signatures) put up a bill to abolish any law that they don't like by putting it on a ballot and letting it be voted upon.

Sixth, 3 of the 4 major political parties in the country lean towards libertarianism / conservativism / right-wing populism.

Seventh, they have a rich culture that I absolutely love.

Eighth, most people in the country are religiously Christian and many are culturally conservative. (their laws are fairly libertarian, however)

Ninth, the country is beautiful.

Tenth, they are not a member of the European Union.

[motivez]

Sounds like you should be living there, why wont your wife let you? (whipped )

[lew]

Of course, nowhere is perfect. Switzerland does have state slavery (mandatory conscription) and scores of other bad things, but in general, I love it.


My wife has lived abroad when younger and she's happy where we currently are.

[Stylerod]

It would be great to live in another country for a while. I'm lucky enough that my mom is from Germany so we spent at least a month there every year. I love it there. My wife keeps asking me to look to transfer there with my company. I just haven't really checked it out yet.

[Rouger2]

Originally Posted by lew

City of North Oaks -- Welcome to the official website for the City of North Oaks





Oh wow look, a city that the government owns nothing and yet, people aren't slaughtering each other like crazy. And there's not expensive tolls on the private roads. WTF? Are you telling me that private property rights and freedom actually do work?


I guess until I move to Switzerland, I should consider this place in the interim period.

The home owners associations owns land and they act just like a government so whats the difference. Well I guess just home owner own the park that is a little different, but doesn't really seem american.

[Phantom]

What exactly is special about this city? It seems to me there are private communities all over the place that maintain roads and parks