Young people living on their own for the first time typically move into apartments. Then life changes. The couple has a baby or plans to have children — they need more living space. An apartment dweller may want to own a dog — now a yard and sidewalks are necessary. Young people who are well on their way to successful careers may be ready to invest in property. These are a few of the many reasons that cause people to move from a multifamily dwelling into a single-family home of their own.

Once someone makes the decision to move from an apartment or condo to a house, how does he or she choose where this new home should be? Buying a house is the biggest investment most people will ever make, so careful consideration of the location is extremely important. What should you look for when deciding where to live?

The below infographic, Go Big AND Go Home … Deciding When to Move and Where to Live, provides a list of the top five reasons people move from apartments and condominiums into single-family homes. It also offers tips for what you should look for in a new neighborhood based on your unique situation.