Why Move West? Many pioneers who settled in Iowa came from states to the east. They came in large numbers from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and New York.Historians tell us about push/pull factors. There were forces that helped to push settlers west. That is, there were reasons why pioneers wanted to leave the east and move to new lands in the west.Historians also believe there were factors that helped pullsettlers west. There were reasons why moving west sounded better to the pioneer settler than staying in the east.Pioneer settlers were sometimes pushed west because they couldn't find good jobs that paid enough. Others had trouble finding land to farm.With more and more people from Europe moving into the eastern states, crowding was sometimes a problem. Still others wanted to move from their homes in the east because they didn't like the new industries and the developing cities.Pioneer settlers were sometimes pulled west because they wanted to make a better living. Others received letters from friends or family members who had moved west. These letters often told about a good life on the frontier.The biggest factor that pulled pioneers west was the opportunity to buy land. Pioneers could purchase land for a small price compared to what it cost in states to the eas
