Other Solar Systems and planets.

As we all know, many people do not understand why we should leave the earth
until we find another life-supporting planet, and can get there easily.
Last time I checked, I thought that even the existance of a planet in
general was a rare occurance. I would be happy if there were extra-solar
gas giants nearby to study. What we really need is the High Frontier plan
to be carried out, from there we could easily develop 'ram-robots'or
telescope arrays to even find out if there are nearby planets. A planet
with a solid crust and hospitable atmosphere (for craft to land at least)
outside the solar system would shock me if it were discovered in my
lifetime. People object to living in 'giant steel cages' but where else do
they have to go (It is very likely population control measures will plague
the earth even if there are orbiting colonies. Population growth rates may
go down, but it is unlikely the general population will). They might move
to the ocean, but they wouldn't want to, people would probably prefer to
live with population control then change their way of life. Nevermind.
If there are any extra-solar planetary experts on this list I would
appreciate hearing what you have to say. I am clearly not an expert.