Austin vs Bangkok vs Barbados vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Mexico City

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bangkok ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Barbados ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ง
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Hanoi ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 110,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 8,850,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai English, Bajan Creole Vietnamese Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high Low Very high Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Bridgetown/Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) Nแป™i Bร i International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December November - May January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - May, October, November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) BBD - Barbadian dollar ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places, cash also needed for smaller businesses Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa No No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2702 $1167 $659 $1867
Rent $1650 $616 $1054 $503 $354 $778
Groceries $243 $191 $234 $151 $44 $281
Dining out $396 $168 $345 $134 $81 $182
Cafe $66 $45 $75 $39 $18 $49
Coworking space $331 $127 $321 $72 $49 $159
Mobile internet $40 $23 $49 $4 $3 $25
Public transportation $110 $32 $35 $20 $6 $11
Taxis $73 $19 $106 $13 $6 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $0 $0 $2 $24
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $37 $3 $11 $81
Museums and sights $11 $21 $36 $4 $15 $20
Nightlife $124 $50 $96 $89 $22 $64
Gym $62 $96 $86 $57 $9 $69
Yoga $139 $98 $130 $57 $23 $65
Massage $89 $11 $99 $21 $15 $51
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Digicel Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 10 - 15% usually included in restaurants, add 10 - 15% at bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab None available Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Bajan cuisine features an eclectic mix of European, Asian, and Caribbean styles resulting in bold, tasty and crunchy meat or fish dishes with lots of spices, lime juice, thyme and salads laden with local vegetables and hot side dishes. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Cou-cou and flying fish, fish cakes, cutters, pudding and souse, macaroni pie, conkies, Bajan black cake, sea eggs Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Food trucks, pubs, seaside street food, roadside carts, local seafood restaurants, smaller traditional restaurants and rum shops Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow