A lot of people will end up living in a big city at some point in their life, whether its for a job, college, or family reasons. Each city in the United States has its own distinct traditions, history, and culture. When deciding what city to move to, consider the five biggest cities in the U.S. not only for their opportunity, but for their uniqueness.

New York, NY

The Big Apple. One of the most famous cities in the world. Every food, sport, language, ethnicity, art, etc… can be found here. New York is the city that never sleeps. You want a gourmet taco at 4am? There’s a place for that. People hurry by in suits and heels at every hour of the day. Home to some of the nation’s richest, high end stores, restaurants, and events cover the Upper East Side, while surrounding suburbs can give you a rather small-town feel but still provide easy access to the city.

Los Angeles, CA

Fame and fortune is the focus of this fashion-forward, movie star town. Beaches are packed daily, jeeps and convertibles cover the roads, and 50 degrees calls for winter coats. LA has a larger number of museums and theatres than any other city in the United States. Urban art covers the city bringing art features into everyday walks around town. The city is surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, and the weather is usually warmer than most of the United States, meaning a beach day is almost always a great option.

Chicago, IL

“The Windy City” sits right on the edge of Lake Michigan. However, the bitter winters mean that lake activities such as swimming and boating aren’t always an option. Shopping is though. Chicago has a huge shopping district and a very high-end feel. Michigan Avenue, also known as “Magnificent Mile”, has a glamourous almost New York feel with it’s over-the-top luxury and designer stores. The suburbs around Chicago are expansive, and many people who want the smaller-town feel commute to and from work on the huge rail system. While people of all kinds call Chicago their home, Chicago is known as a very wealthy city overall.

Houston, TX

Houston is known as the “space city” because it is home to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located. Houston has a huge theatre scene, with an entire district dedicated to the art right in the middle of downtown. Houstonians eat out on average more than any other city in the United States. One reason may be that restaurants in Houston are very reasonably priced compared to most cities. Tex-Mex is a staple so get ready for more than your fair share of hot sauce.

Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia is known first and foremost for its history. It is the birthplace of the Constitution and the home of the Liberty Bell. Museums and historic sites cover the city. But that’s not all that Philly has to offer. Philadelphia has a large arts and music scene, offering everything from the Ritz theatres to small jazz clubs to large art galleries. Art and music isn’t your thing? Philadelphia is full of die-hard sports fans thanks to the Eagles, Phillies, 76ers, and Flyers. Stadiums, arenas, and bars are packed on game nights and weekends to support local teams.