Behind the curtain: Why focus on the Asteroids?
Ok, folks, I've posted a thread that should give life in Space (as I see the ramifications, anyhow) a bit of texture. While I'm sure I'm wrong in some ways, all we really need is some guidelines to work with.
Assuming a lack of large planet access (Venus is an exception due to Elves and the Elven Fleet) and a need for both land and light, that means Asteroid living.
Smaller planets like Ceres are great as long as their resources aren't over strained. Ceres itself is in Dim light, so it's over strained at the best of times. Still, as a source of air and water it can't be beat.
Venus has a vibrant (for a larger planet) spaceport culture. It exports wood, fabrics, and ceramics. It's guarded by Elves, including militant Astral Elves who use it to breed and grow their young (Sounds clinical, but life in the Astral requires such). Frankly, protecting Astral Elf Creches is probably the whole reason for the Elven Navy. All that being said, if you aren't a predominately Elven crew, you probably won't get access.
Mercury and Mars are small enough to land on in one shift, but there isn't a lot there. Mercury is tidally locked with 3 distinct environmental zones, the middle one being kindest. it's inhabited by Orcs, which aren't all that civilized as you get out of the twilight zone.
Earth is too varied, and barely capable of being landed on in one shift. It's just not worth the effort for most. That being said, it's rumored that one island nation is making forays into space. Earth's Moon seems to be a void world, and hence, not worth the risk. You'd have to land and take off all in one shift, never depowering the Helm to be safe. Or fly a turtle ship, or wear fish suits, etc.
Jupiter's moon system has it's own fire body and plenty of light, plus small planets to land on, but it's not well known for some reason.
That leaves Ceres, The Rocks (Fred's and Barney's) and the asteroid belt.
What you do, of course, is up to you. this is a sandbox game, after all. Still, this is what you have to work with.