Land was at a great price so if you wanted your own land this was usually the best way to get it. Adventure drew many, starting anew also was a big factor. You could start a business and have little competition. And also settled land was getting a bit overpopulated (not to mention expensive) so moving enabled you to have some elbow room. And Gold drew tons of people both within the country and globally. But that was really just a flash in the pan.