There is no single ideal direction for all houses everywhere. Many variables are involved in siting a house. From an architectural standpoint, you want to maximize views and minimize noise, dust, or other potential pollution. From a realtor’s perspective, you want to maximize resell value. From a mechanical engineer’s view, you want to put all your fenestration on the north or south facing sides to minimize HVAC loads if you are in a warm climate and perhaps east/west in a cold climate. From the civil engineer’s perspective, you want to situate the house to maximize drainage efficiency and minimize hardscape. From a structural/geotech engineer’s position, you want to put the house on soil that doesn’t shrink/swell. From a landscape architect’s position, you want to minimize building footprint to leave more land to plant. From an ecological standpoint, you want to take all these disciplines into consideration when designing the house and then again when situating it.