Austin vs Barcelona vs Cape Town vs Larnaca vs Lviv vs Medellin vs Prague vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 4,617,560 144,900 731,387 2,427,000 1,305,737 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Greek Ukrainian Spanish Czech Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Very high High Low Low High High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, October - December May - September January - April, December June - October April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) COP - Colombian Peso ($) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1549 $1959 $922 $1293 $1806 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $618 $678 $400 $732 $780 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $129 $157 $91 $87 $158 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $269 $261 $151 $131 $240 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $56 $21 $18 $53 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $151 $209 $79 $96 $175 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $27 $35 $4 $16 $24 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $55 $63 $5 $21 $61 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $21 $42 $12 $14 $33 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $49 $45 $16 $0 $19 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $19 $28 $13 $8 $19 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $8 $9 $9 $35 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $110 $43 $73 $50 $82 $66
Gym $62 $81 $36 $107 $22 $15 $56 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $56 $105 $30 $54 $66 $62 $87
Massage $89 $59 $30 $54 $27 $20 $37 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar MTN, Vodacom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone, Kyivstar Claro, Tigo Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom 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 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Bolt nTaxi Uber, Uklon EasyTaxi Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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 Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer! Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow 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 Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuà, 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 Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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 Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 9 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow