Austin vs Barcelona vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lviv vs Medellin vs Seoul

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Lviv ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 4,617,560 15,520,000 144,900 731,387 2,427,000 9,963,452
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Greek Ukrainian Spanish Korean
Level of English Very high High Very high Low High Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December May - September January - April, December March - May, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โ‚ด) COP - Colombian Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No No No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1549 $659 $1959 $922 $1293 $2184
Rent $1650 $932 $618 $354 $678 $400 $732 $797
Groceries $243 $121 $129 $44 $157 $91 $87 $356
Dining out $396 $403 $269 $81 $261 $151 $131 $211
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $18 $56 $21 $18 $69
Coworking space $331 $213 $151 $49 $209 $79 $96 $222
Mobile internet $40 $10 $27 $3 $35 $4 $16 $40
Public transportation $110 $127 $55 $6 $63 $5 $21 $40
Taxis $73 $48 $21 $6 $42 $12 $14 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $49 $2 $45 $16 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $19 $11 $28 $13 $8 $39
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $15 $8 $9 $9 $6
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $22 $110 $43 $73 $93
Gym $62 $81 $36 $9 $107 $22 $15 $69
Yoga $139 $93 $56 $23 $105 $30 $54 $112
Massage $89 $59 $30 $15 $54 $27 $20 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone, Kyivstar Claro, Tigo KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Bolt BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Uklon EasyTaxi Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Slavic. Emphasis on frilled meats combined with potatoes, carrots, pickles and cabbage. Creamy deserts often elaborated with cottage cheese. Lviv enjoys culinary influences from Kiev (traditional with an emphasis on chicken) and Odessa (various seafood dishes). A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
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 Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 9 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow