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If one scrolls back into American history, one can detect a clear pattern of cycles or eras: periods of considerable economic expansion, followed by periods of less economic expansion. Periods of extensive public policy activity, followed by periods of less public policy activity. Periods of extensive suburban sprawl, followed by periods of less development.

As more and more Americans entertain the possibility that $4 per gallon gasoline, may, in the long-term, represent a price floor rather than a ceiling, one can detect the rumbles of a shift in housing preferences, so says economist Glen Langan.

"The 3-bedroom house with a back yard is still a goal. That's part of the American dream. The house with a yard 30 or 40 miles from work, is not," Langan said.

Case in point: the Denver metropolitan area. Suburban and exurban home prices in formerly preferred suburbs, are dropping more than in areas closer to the city center, The New York Times reported.

Denver will hardly be the only city affected, Langan said. "Many cities that experienced a 'long-commute' boom or an exurbia boom during the low gas price area are vulnerable," Langan said. "It's the 30-mile commute re-think." Another example of a city likely to be hit hard is Atlanta.

Continue reading High gas prices mean Americans likely to prefer homes closer to work

High gas prices mean Americans likely to prefer homes closer to work originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AtlantacitiescommutingDenverexurbsfeaturedgasoline priceshousingmass transitoil shocksuburbsU.S. economyMon, 30 Jun 2008 12:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Suburban slums -- city centers being revitalized]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/29/suburban-slums-city-centers-being-revitalized/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/29/suburban-slums-city-centers-being-revitalized/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/29/suburban-slums-city-centers-being-revitalized/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


An extensive report in the Atlantic that concludes many suburban developments may turn into slums discusses the role reversal occurring between the city centers and their outlying communities. They attribute a wide range of factors leading to this conclusion. These include a shift in demographics and life styles, the economy and sub-prime loan debacle, driving times and fuel prices, and the over supply of product and tighter lending practices.

The post war baby-boomers are an ever decreasing factor in the home market as their kids move out. Those kids are getting married later in life and having smaller families so demand is shifting.

Traffic congestion and commuting long distances is right up there with taxes and mosquito's in terms of being unpleasant, so those that can afford to move closer to work are doing so. This is also being stimulated further by the rapid increases in gas prices affecting all of us. For many years developers have been building homes in the suburbs because of cheaper land costs, but rarely has there been parallel growth in local jobs so most people had to hit the roads.

Continue reading Suburban slums -- city centers being revitalized

Suburban slums -- city centers being revitalized originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>citieshousinglending crisesLendingCrisesSuburban developmentSuburbanDevelopmentFri, 29 Feb 2008 18:02:00 EST