Will higher gas prices create market for urban living?

[fightingosprey07]

Commuting patterns shift as gas prices rise

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/stories/2008/05/26/daily25.html?surround=lfn

Higher gas prices are not only causing pain for commuters, but are also changing commuting dynamics.

More than 44 percent of professionals interviewed in a survey by Menlo Park, Calif.-based Robert Half International said higher gas prices have affected their commutes, up from 34 percent two years ago, the last time the staffing firm conducted a similar survey. Those professionals have changed their commuting habits, with more people willing to carpool or ride-share, drive a more fuel-efficient car, or telecommute more frequently.

Of the respondents to the national survey who said higher gas prices have affected their commute, 46 percent said they have increased carpooling or ride-sharing, up from 34 percent two years ago, while 33 percent said they are driving a more-efficient car. Thirty percent said they are looking for a new job closer to home, while 25 percent said they are asking for increased compensation.

The national survey included responses from 539 workers at least 18 years old and working full or part time. The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and developed by Robert Half International.

I like how these people are more interested in finding a job closer to home, instead of trying to find a home closer to their job. With most of Jacksonville's job growth outside of downtown, I can't see gas prices affecting the downtown housing market as it might in other cities.

[JeffreyS]

I live way out in suburban sprawl and went to a Bar-B-Q on my street yesterday.  One of the topics discussed is how we could all move to Riverside if we could sell our houses.  Gas prices would have already caused a rush to more urban if it hadn't been coupled with the real estate downturn.

[RiversideGator]

Everyone move to Riverside...   

[Jason]

Will you buy me out of my current home?  If so, I'll be calling you tonight.   

[downtownparks]

You know, Springfield has a lot of great deals right now too. :-D

[JeffreyS]

It isn't the deal you can get on where you want to go it's can you sell what you have.

[Coolyfett]

I've been wondering what everyone's opinion is on the idea that higher gas prices could create a stronger market for urban living.

With the discussions in other threads about the threat of gas hitting $4 or even $5 per gallon, my thoughts are that despite the slow housing market, people my be forced into moving closer to work and/or replace their commute with a train or bus thereby creating a stronger market for urban living and transit.

What is everyone else's take?

What do you mean when you say stronger market? I think it is all on the mentality of the person. I recently had this argument with a person last week. They stated that living near a perimeter interstate was better then living downtown. Their argument is that it is quieter and safer in the burbs as opposed to downtown. They also said that you had your space. Me personally I want to live as close to downtown as I can get. That is where all the action is. Downtown to me is the safest, if i want space Ill stay inside, I enjoy the sounds of the city. Sometimes Ill come out at like 3am just to walk around downtown, most of the bums are sleeping, I actually walk past many of them. Feels like I have the whole city to my self. Occasionally a Fulton county cop will ride by, but thats all Id every see. Some people want NO PARTs of downtown regardless of gas prices or other situations. Then there is those that do.

"People are tired of the big house, they're tired of the big yard, and there's a real movement to simplify your lifestyle as children leave," Perot says. "You can move into a beautiful downtown home, walk to the arts, walk to a basketball game, walk to restaurants. There is something unique in the downtown fabric that you couldn't get in the suburbs."

That about sums me up!!!

[civil42806]

Me personally I want to live as close to downtown as I can get. That is where all the action is.

Downtown jacksonville is where all the action is?  Ummmm I appreciate the power of positive thinking, but I think that statement is a bit overblown?

[uptowngirl]

Me personally I want to live as close to downtown as I can get. That is where all the action is.

Downtown jacksonville is where all the action is?  Ummmm I appreciate the power of positive thinking, but I think that statement is a bit overblown?

That depends on what you consider “downtown”. We that live here, consider San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, and Springfield all part of downtown, not just the landing.

There is a ton going on in all these neighborhoods, there is shopping, café’s, coffee shops, theatres, nightclubs, pubs, bars, and lots and lots of events. You can ride your bike to football and baseball games, to plays, the symphony or the ballet. We have a state of the art library easily accessible, that also shows movies, and several museums. We have an abundance of parks (including an off leash dog park in Springfield), wonderful sidewalks to stroll each evening and chat with your neighbors, or meet new people. All of these neighborhoods have beautiful homes to live in or just stroll and appreciate. Each neighborhood also has special events, such as First Fridays (both Springfield and Riverside, although Springfield had this FIRST), Art Walk, Dog Days (San Marco and Springfield), Heritage days, home tours, Halloween hayride safe trick or treating, Old time baseball games, kick ball, and soccer get together, Turkey Bowl football games in the park, Christmas caroling, Food and wine clubs, and well….. The list goes on and on. So YES, Downtown is happening-not "overblown" at all!  Come on down and check it out 

[civil42806]

I agree if you expand downtown to include riverside, san marco, avondale?, and of course springfield, you have a very vibrant area. But why stop there, lets include the westside, southside and the beaches, and hey you got a heck of a vibrant downtonw.

[tufsu1]

I agree if you expand downtown to include riverside, san marco, avondale?, and of course springfield, you have a very vibrant area. But why stop there, lets include the westside, southside and the beaches, and hey you got a heck of a vibrant downtonw.

is there some physical wall or gate we have to cross to officially be in downtown?

Its called "urban core" living...and it would include Riverside, San Marco, and Springfield.

[thelakelander]

I've always felt its pretty foolish to isolate the CBD as its own entity.  The inner ring urban core neighborhoods are just as important to it as the apartment complexes lining Gate Parkway and Southside Blvd are to Southpoint and Deerwood Park.

[jaxcatchic]

Another great point.  My job is able to be done remotely from home, however, my boss hasn't been very supportive of that idea although he works from his home on a regular basis on a connection I set up for him. 

Does anyone know if there are local carpooling programs available for commuters?

http://www.firstcoastmpo.com/index.php?id=13

[Captain Zissou]

Continuing today's Charlotte theme, I agree with Civil due to the fact that almost no one would walk from any of the surrounding communities downtown.  In Charlotte, you can walk from all of those neighborhoods into the heart of the business district to enjoy those ammentities.  Thanks to the riverwalk you can do the same if you live between FNF and downtown, but someone north of State/Union, south of the river, east of Maxwell house, or west of the acosta would not make the walk to the core.  Those brave souls in Springfield make the journey every now and again I'm sure, but name one urban hipster from riverside who doesn't hop in their car to go eat at the Burrito Gallery. 

By this logic, I say that while the urban neighborhoods are a tremendous blessing for our city, they do no more for the area than my suburban self in Ortega.   

[uptowngirl]

Continuing today's Charlotte theme, I agree with Civil due to the fact that almost no one would walk from any of the surrounding communities downtown.  In Charlotte, you can walk from all of those neighborhoods into the heart of the business district to enjoy those ammentities.  Thanks to the riverwalk you can do the same if you live between FNF and downtown, but someone north of State/Union, south of the river, east of Maxwell house, or west of the acosta would not make the walk to the core.  Those brave souls in Springfield make the journey every now and again I'm sure, but name one urban hipster from riverside who doesn't hop in their car to go eat at the Burrito Gallery. 

By this logic, I say that while the urban neighborhoods are a tremendous blessing for our city, they do no more for the area than my suburban self in Ortega.   

I disagree, but of course I can only speak for my own neighborhood, Springfield. We make many trips downtown, alot of eat and shop downtown. I go downtown almost everyday, sometimes I walk, sometimes I bike, and yes sometimes (when it is just too damn hot) I drive. I think people from Springfield spend more time downtown than any other neighborhood in the city/county.

Your right, we are not as connected as some place like Charlotte, but we make it a point of going downtown, if every neighborhood did we night have a more vibrant downtown with more connectivity. In any case "CBD" implies businesses only, our downtown includes neighborhoods and entertainment districts too. I will admit the BellSouth building is pretty dead after 5PM, but that isn’t where I go hang out when I go downtown.