Charlotte, NC is a similar sized city to Portland and gets about the same amount of snow as Portland does. They do a way better job of clearing the roads, and even eventually get to the neighborhood roads - we are paying for city services, including keeping roads clear. Also, they use salt- sodium chloride - its alot cheaper than this fancy magnesium salt, so you can use alot more of it, and salt works - even in colder temps if lots of cars drive on it. Often the road gets alot warmer than the air temp when many cars drive on it, and a lot of salt will work. The salt is not so bad if its used once a year or less. Salt saves lives and prevents many accidents, oh and you don't need to use much sand or gravel with salt. This gravel is very useful in keeping the windshield repair businesses busy.