I certainly hope that you're right. It's certainly the reason my wife and I chose to live here. In Islington, you don't really need a car at all. You can walk to the train stop, grocery store, and drug store. The only real effect of high oil prices comes from heating costs--the houses tend to be all oil heat in my neighborhood. A car still really helps, though, especially for bigger ticket items and clothing.

I think it's an often unmentioned benefit of the proposed Westwood Station that a great deal of shopping will be available a lot closer. Hopefully there will be some shops that I otherwise might make a long drive to Framingham or a frustrating drive to Dedham for.