Oil prices extended their decline Wednesday as the dollar strengthened against major currencies and traders waited for Gustav damage reports.

Oil futures tumbled more than $7 a barrel on Tuesday after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf region with less force and apparently less damage than initially feared. Prices were also pulled lower by a strengthening dollar and a return to concerns that an economic slowdown has crippled demand for energy.

As Hurricane Gustav neared the Gulf coast Monday, oil prices fell after spiking more than $3 on Sunday as the world oil market waited for the potentially devastating storm to come ashore.

As officials ordered the evacuation of New Orleans, the oil industry shut down rigs and pulled back personnel as Hurricane Gustav bore down on the Gulf coast on Sunday.

The Gulf of Mexico is home to 4,000 drilling platforms and 33,000 miles of pipeline, which send 1.3 million barrels a day to the Gulf Coast’s 56 refineries. But a hurricane threatens to deal a powerful blow to the oil-rich region.

A rock-bottom price just isn’t enough for buyers these days - it’s a starting point. If the furnace is out of date, they’ll demand a new one. Cracked driveways have to be repaved, and dirty carpeting torn out and replaced. All at the seller’s expense.

Factors like the cost of living, jobs and access to health services make these cities tops for those in their second acts.

Oil prices rose Wednesday as Tropical Storm Gustav entered the Gulf of Mexico and threatened U.S. oil facilities.

Recovery might be two or three years off, but in these 10 cities, homeowners can expect long-term appreciation.

The statistics are grim: Inflation is at a 17-year high. Unemployment is rising. Foreclosures are spreading.