Those two things are like oil and water. 

Falling oil prices are starting to cause layoffs.  

One was for a (and no, this is not a typo) 5,000 gallon underground storage tank (oil).

For example, in the last ten years or so, a main driver of the inflation has been the rising of oil prices ($147 a barrel on July 11, 2008) together with other natural resources.

There are many things that can actually be counted as real estate for purposes of 1031 treatment like Oil and gas interests.  

Oil prices hurt my primary income.

If not (ie two full-time working spouses) your only other option is going into land conservation deals, solar deals, or oil and gas deals - all of which have some risks.Explained in a different way...1) There are ordinary/W2/active income on one side.

2) Is it expected and should you convert the fuel from oil to gas heating?

Indy has diverse types of employers, not dominated by one type such as the auto industry or oil industry.

If the unemployment rate is 2% where you are, and companies are continuing to hire, and the jobs are not solely based on one volatile industry (e.g. oil), I don't think it matters that the unemployment rate is 8% 1000 miles away.