All good points - I personally love running bamboo, and, at least in the areas of the west coast where I have grown it, it is not hard to control. But it does require some planning and regular maintenance.
Having said that, if considering growing a running variety of bamboo, one needs to think very hard about what they are committing to and have a thorough understanding of what will be involved. If not willing to do that, absolutely stay away, it will just create a major headache for the grower and, as Akula mentioned, neighbors. Do not become THAT neighbor.
There are many beautiful varieties of clumping bamboos (some that are morphologically clumpers can still spread quickly, so choose varieties carefully) that will do well in most areas in N. America...and while they can get big, they don't do it very quickly.
So if you are not willing to commit to keeping your bamboo to yourself, DO NOT GROW IT....
But it can be done, and relatively painlessly.....if willing to be diligent ....
....in my opinion anyway....
....and, I can't speak for climates outside the Pacific Northwest.....
