The relationship of family life cycle changes to housing preferences and residential mobility is examined. Two residential decision-making issues are explored in detail--how family life cycle stages influence what people view as important to their choice of residential setting and what individuals at different family life cycle stages view as the probability of moving providing they could obtain a satisfactory residential environment. Data were gathered from a random survey of 780 Pennsylvania residents plus a screened sample of 316 respondents who indicated a high probability that the household would move within the coming year. Respondents were asked to indicate which characteristics were desirable in a new residence, whether these characteristics were very important to their choice of residence, and whether they were likely to move if they located a residence with all or most of the desirable qualities. Findings indicate that work status is an important factor in decision making, younger people are more likely to move, and the age and presence of children plays a large role in family decisions to relocate. The conclusion is that many of the conditions and circumstances experienced by people in different life cycle stages are reflected in the kinds of concerns they express toward residential characteristics. (DB)