More and more people are taking what is perhaps the ultimate step in cutting gas prices...

They're moving!

A national trend of high gas prices playing a major role in where people choose to live. Factors like distance from work, access to public transportation, and proximity to shopping are gaining ground on square footage and whether or not the home has a yard and pushing people into more densely packed urban areas!

Read The Full Article at Yahoo!

This is just the beginning of a major trend, one that I spotted some years ago and a big reason why I decided to focus on urban real estate instead of the suburban stuff which many real estate professionals were drawn to like flies on you know what! Gas prices aren't going anywhere but up so its good to start seeing more of these articles being printed in the media. Public awareness is key! I believe we're on the bring of major cultural shift in the way people live, where they live and how they transport themselves from place to place in America - Almost a total redefinition of the "American Dream". The current one has major flaws which are obvious when gas prices push through $4/gallon and everyone is panicking! Urban living is the next big thing, no doubt! Once the real estate industry as a whole gets back on track look for urban living, downtown redevelopment, infill development, mixed-use, TOD, TND, high-rise, and mid-rise condominium and loft developments to lead the way!

Remember... "Life is in the Heart of the City!"

The American Dream is definitely evolving! This article today definitely caught my eye and I had to post it and comment!

Read The Full Article at CNN.com!

I must say it's kind both eerie, but vindicating at the same time to see these types of articles in the media now! I've been discussing this issue with people for a long time now (my good friend Nate Bettini, well, he's talking about this a lot longer). The suburbs will be your slums of the future! A whirlwind of several factors including generational and demographic preferences and lifestyle changes, environmental concerns, energy prices, and inflation and more are now converging to put urban living in the limelight as the new (preferred) way of life in America! These outer lying suburbs and exurbs are death-traps in my opinion right now and will continue to get worse! They'll be a few diamonds in the ruff, but most will not survive! All those vacant homes, half-built homes, empty lots, and abandon foreclosures and short-sales are going to be picked up by investors who will then rent them out or be bought by low-income people, naive first time home buyers and immigrants. Crime rates will undoubtedly go up due in part by the infrastructure, segregated zoning layout, and car dominated culture of suburbia. Places that are really nice today, may not looks so nice in 30 years! The the past 60 years have been characterized by the movement of wealthy and upper middle class people moving to master-planned communities in the suburban fringes, the NEXT 60 years will be a reversal! High-Rise urban luxury and downtown city living on Main street!