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In the short term, most people don't have a choice about driving to work. But, that's not true for everybody. There are a great many people who could choose to take transit or car pool or work from home if gas gets too expensive. In the long run, there may be a considerable number of people who would switch jobs or switch living places to make a shorter commute if the cost of driving gets high.
Of course they do.
Ditch the car and ride a bike. Take the bus. Take the train. Carpool.
The average American is spending way too much money, time, and stress in a car. But hey, let 'em suffer.
It's no coincidence that after gas prices went up and stayed up house prices in the far out areas never recovered. Whereas house prices closer in are back to, or nearly back to where they were before the recession.
For increasing gas prices to lead to less traffic doesn't require that everybody who drives to work have available alternative transportation. Only that some people who currently drive do have available alternative transportation.
It's no coincidence that after gas prices went up and stayed up house prices in the far out areas never recovered. Whereas house prices closer in are back to, or nearly back to where they were before the recession.
I knew several people who bought inexpensive homes in the central valley in California that commuted into the SF bay area for work. When gas hit $4 in 2007 some let these homes go into foreclosure, because they couldn't afford the doubling of their gas bill. Tax revenues for some of these cities were slashed in cities like Stockton were home prices dropped well over 50%.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyRider
Peddle 10 miles? In rain?
People ride their bikes 10+ miles in the rain all the time. There are large groups of them daily riding from Issaquah, WA to the Microsoft Campus in Redmond. I also see people riding bikes across the I90 bridge every day, rain or shine (though more in summer). I personally prefer the bus just because I can relax and
not have to deal with stop & go traffic, regardless of gas prices. For those without bike, bus, or train options, there is still the carpool and van pool.
In my experience, the ones who complain the loudest about gas prices fall into two categories:
1) Owners of gas guzzlers. No sympathy there
2)People who are always on the go. Staying at home is torture for them. I have a niece that goes to Omaha for a new outfit almost weekend or out to eat.
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As for me, not to boast, but I save my pickup truck for out of town journeys and ride my bike most places under 20 miles.
It's about 3.50 for the regular stuff over here where I'm at.
It's $3.38 over here at Lubbock.
As I own a home in Albuquerque, I've noticed that New Mexico has been slightly higher in gas prices than Texas in the last few years. The two states use to have the same tax on gasoline but that may have changed since I looked at it.
I only have a 17 year old 1/2 ton pickup (small v8 and 4x4) simply because I need it here on this west Texas farm. However, being retired I probably use less gasoline than most Prius owners. I'm a bit too old for two wheeled vehicles but, except for the occasional high winds, most of the High Plains is a great place for motorcycles.
As gasoline eats up a greater part of a family's income, I believe people will simply take it out of some other part of their budget if they can. I did as I quit buying new, or even new/used vehicles and have almost quit traveling.
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