Prediction: inner city dwellings hold value while many 'burb homes go vacant. People will seek residences nearer their jobs and other ammenities, and by cutting the commute- give themselves a 'raise'. The 'commute' factor will be as much a part of a moving decision as how many bathrooms in the home.
Counterpoint to that - a lot of the jobs are now in the suburbs and not the cities.
We moved in, we cleaned out our island and plant beds and put in flowers, cut the lawn, and basically made our yard look great. Within a year, everyone up and down the street followed suit and had a nice looking lawn with flowerbeds.
Needless to say, I love where I live in suburbia. Crime? Huh? My little city sandwiched between two larger ones is patrolled by the same two St. Louis County Cops five days a week. They know the residents of the city, they know who belongs and who doesn't. When they see some possible riff-raff move in, they make their presence known and make them know that they will brook no crap.
Gas prices and driving anywhere? I have a full fledged grocery store within walking distance. I have a Walgreens and Petco within walking distance. I have a Lowes AND a Home Depot within walking distance. I have all the amenities I need within walking distance. So don't give me that crap about living in "the city" is better. Aint' no way I would live in a city environment as I like my small part of surburbia just fine.