Austin vs Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Chiang Mai vs Porto

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,830,000 4,617,560 1,166,978 237,559
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Thai Portuguese
Level of English Very high High High Very high Low Very High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November April - October March - May, September - November November - April May - September
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1351 $1549 $974 $1759
Rent $1650 $932 $615 $618 $274 $717
Groceries $243 $121 $114 $129 $169 $148
Dining out $396 $403 $165 $269 $108 $280
Cafe $66 $45 $38 $32 $45 $45
Coworking space $331 $213 $133 $151 $95 $96
Mobile internet $40 $10 $7 $27 $11 $21
Public transportation $110 $127 $21 $55 $60 $95
Taxis $73 $48 $9 $21 $20 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $25 $49 $10 $10
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $29 $19 $8 $45
Museums and sights $11 $33 $29 $15 $8 $24
Nightlife $124 $112 $45 $43 $62 $66
Gym $62 $81 $30 $36 $41 $56
Yoga $139 $93 $59 $56 $55 $82
Massage $89 $59 $31 $30 $10 $48
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom AIS, DTAC Vodafone, MEO, NOS
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Grab Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Sarmale, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 46 options on Happy Cow