I have noticed that around Memorial Day or thereabouts that gas prices fall after jumping quickly. Looking at this map from gasbuddy.com shows I was somewhat right as is usually the case with anecdotal evidence. The reason I noticed it is because I expected to get gouged throughout the summer but it didn’t happen. Specifically 2004 and 2007 had the best declines after May. 2005 and 2006 had their declines in August.
I do think that this raise in prices is having an effect on driving. Except for the typical rush hour in the morning and afternoon, the roads seem much emptier. Taking a left out of my office is usually a wait but in the last few weeks I have noticed I don’t have to wait long unless it is rush hour or lunch time.
Since I am obligated to relate this to real estate by the Code of Bloggers International Fraternity of the Never Ending Cursor, I will say that location may well come back into play. Our traffic is not bad compared to big cities (San Francisco was horrible). More and more people will think about living close to what they need. In 2005 and 2006, people were willing to live in Banks, Vernonia, happy Valley, Sherwood and Newberg. That may be part of the reason that my listing in Cedar Hills had multiple offers and another in Vista Hills gets so many showings. Both are about a minutes drive to Hwy 26 there near 217.
In the case of those homes they get the benefit of being a 4-10 minute drive to downtown but only pay Washington County taxes. Compare that to living in the Pearl, paying monthly HOA fees of $200 to $700 a month and you may have only one garage space while paying Multnomah taxes, you seem to get a good deal. But that is all relative based on what you really want for a lifestyle.
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