Gas the Dutchie (Part 1)

As some seek to connect spiking fuel prices with housing market woes, others wonder if my real estate beat, hard-headedly fixed on the "old core" or "the early sprawl," is awash with petrol refugees, exurban escapees, eager to swap Victorville for Vermont Knolls, Frazier Park for Jefferson Park, and Westlake for Westlake.

Certainly, the near downtown market is performing differently than others, unevenly, with less value lost at the high end; though, I'm not sure if the "urban pioneer movement" (as it insultingly came to be known in the 1980's) is occupied with birthing breath, or on the verge of a lung expanding second wind. Maybe even revolutions respect the repose of the place.

Increased energy costs, even in a city state with tremendous economic decentralization, may hasten buyers to our basin-central burg. Unappetizing retail still disappoints some, while the coming Expo Line and LA Live projects are billed as difference makers.

Some of the bandwagoners are jumping on, "it's a culture victory, viva New Urbanism."
Of course, I'm zigging rather than zagging, concerned with even greater development pressures, and those sitting duck neighborhoods, without the smallest of adhesions, or even a viceroy to lead the charge.

Get ready for the next hard sell.
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Sunday's Open: 2892 W. 15th ST 4 beds, 2 baths $759,000
2 blocks North of Venice, 2 blocks East of Western
Harvard Heights!