Austin vs Barcelona vs Bucharest vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 1,830,000 8,053,663 15,520,000 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Romanian Vietnamese Turkish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High High Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November April - October January, February, October - December April - June, September and October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1351 $1167 $659 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $615 $503 $354 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $114 $151 $44 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $165 $134 $81 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $38 $39 $18 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $133 $72 $49 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $7 $4 $3 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $21 $20 $6 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $9 $13 $6 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $25 $0 $2 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $29 $3 $11 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $29 $4 $15 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $45 $89 $22 $66
Gym $62 $81 $30 $57 $9 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $59 $57 $23 $87
Massage $89 $59 $31 $21 $15 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Vodafone, Orange Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom 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 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Star Taxi, Uber Grab, GoViet BiTaksi 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. Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow