Austin vs Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs New York City 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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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Porto ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,323,340 237,559
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Turkish English (de facto) Portuguese
Level of English Very high High High Low Very high Very High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November April - October April - June, September and October April - June, September - November May - September
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1351 $659 $5431 $1759
Rent $1650 $932 $615 $354 $2891 $717
Groceries $243 $121 $114 $44 $383 $148
Dining out $396 $403 $165 $81 $656 $280
Cafe $66 $45 $38 $18 $72 $45
Coworking space $331 $213 $133 $49 $326 $96
Mobile internet $40 $10 $7 $3 $45 $21
Public transportation $110 $127 $21 $6 $220 $95
Taxis $73 $48 $9 $6 $78 $25
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $25 $2 $30 $10
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $29 $11 $100 $45
Museums and sights $11 $33 $29 $15 $74 $24
Nightlife $124 $112 $45 $22 $195 $66
Gym $62 $81 $30 $9 $55 $56
Yoga $139 $93 $59 $23 $197 $82
Massage $89 $59 $31 $15 $109 $48
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom AT&T, Verizon 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Lyft Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow 46 options on Happy Cow