Austin vs Barcelona vs Buenos Aires vs Chiang Mai vs Panama City vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Buenos Aires ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Chiang Mai ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ
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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 2,900,000 1,166,978 880,691 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Spanish Thai Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High High Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November September - December November - April December - April March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1321 $974 $2359 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $844 $274 $1036 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $98 $169 $236 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $121 $108 $371 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $25 $45 $43 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $95 $95 $157 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $11 $11 $21 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $9 $60 $12 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $9 $20 $48 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $14 $10 $0 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $24 $8 $35 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $4 $8 $9 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $23 $62 $117 $66
Gym $62 $81 $14 $41 $37 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $19 $55 $163 $87
Massage $89 $59 $10 $10 $75 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Movistar, Claro, Personal AIS, DTAC Claro, Movistar Vodafone, Orange
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 10% at restaurants and cafรฉs is common, not common at bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Grab Uber, Tu Chofer Cabify, FreeNow
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. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options 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. Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja Paella, fideuร , esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
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 Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafรฉs for matรฉ and facturas Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 90 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow