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Austin ๐บ๐ธ
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Barcelona ๐ช๐ธ
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Chiang Mai ๐น๐ญ
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Larnaca ๐จ๐พ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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| Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 1,166,978 | 144,900 | 6,578,0179 |
| Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Thai | Greek | Spanish |
| Level of English | Very high | High | Low | High | Moderate |
| Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) | Larnaca International Airport (LCA) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) |
| Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | November - April | March - May, October - December | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | THB - Thai Baht (เธฟ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $974 | $1959 | $2498 |
| Rent | $1650 | $932 | $274 | $678 | $1174 |
| Groceries | $243 | $121 | $169 | $157 | $175 |
| Dining out | $396 | $403 | $108 | $261 | $313 |
| Cafe | $66 | $45 | $45 | $56 | $51 |
| Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $95 | $209 | $196 |
| Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $11 | $35 | $10 |
| Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $60 | $63 | $78 |
| Taxis | $73 | $48 | $20 | $42 | $44 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $10 | $45 | $49 |
| Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $8 | $28 | $54 |
| Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $8 | $8 | $20 |
| Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $62 | $110 | $82 |
| Gym | $62 | $81 | $41 | $107 | $44 |
| Yoga | $139 | $93 | $55 | $105 | $142 |
| Massage | $89 | $59 | $10 | $54 | $64 |
| SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | AIS, DTAC | Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone |
| 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, not customary or expected elsewhere | 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. |
| Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Grab | nTaxi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now |
| Tap water | Drinkable | 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. | 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. | Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. |
| Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua | Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros |
| 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 | Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food | Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. | Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 90 options on HappyCow | 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available | 85 listings on Happy Cow |