There are several reasons why people decided to settle in the West. One important factor was the availability of land. By the 1800s, land in the East had become very expensive, and not easily available. Therefore, for many families, moving to the West was their only chance of owning land. Others moved to the West seeking adventure, as the land had not been explored or settled extensively. Finally, an important reason why many people moved to the West was due to the discovery of gold in areas such as California.