Economic factors are top priority when Americans decide where to live - CBS News poll

How far people's money will go — and how easy it will be to earn it — are at the top of Americans' minds when they think about where they would like to live. When asked what is the most important factor in deciding where to live, Americans put employment opportunities as the top of their considerations, followed closely by the cost of living. These economic factors tend to be a higher priority than how far away family is, the type of people who live in the community, or the climate and the geography — and far ahead of concerns about the schools or recreational activities in the area.

Employment opportunities are particularly on the minds of younger Americans – and clearly the top choice of Americans under the age of 45. For those between 45 and 64, the cost of living is just as much a factor as employment. And for seniors 65 and older, proximity to family as well as climate and geography start to play an important part in what they prioritize. We asked those surveyed to put aside more practical considerations and think about what their "dream home" might look like, and where their ideal location would be. As it turns out, most Americans don't want a bigger home. Forty-one percent do want a bigger home, though even more — 48% — say that the size of their current home is just right. Still, few say their dream home would be smaller than the one they live in now.