John,
It really depends on what the layout of the house is like.
I like to install my panels, in a place that is inconspicuous, but is still easily found later.
A common place over here, is in the Laundry or the garage.
All of our meter panels these days, are outside, so it is really up to the EC, where the switch-board is placed.
Our regs, for obvious reasons, prohibit placing them in Bathrooms(not the Toilet room) and above a cooking appliance.
Can't say I've wired many 2-storey places, though!.
