Austin vs Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Lviv vs Madrid vs Valencia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Lviv ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Valencia ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 15,520,000 731,387 6,578,0179 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Ukrainian Spanish Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Low Low Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November April - June, September and October May - September March - May, September - November March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (โ‚ด) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $659 $922 $2498 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $354 $400 $1174 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $44 $91 $175 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $81 $151 $313 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $18 $21 $51 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $49 $79 $196 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $3 $4 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $6 $5 $78 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $6 $12 $44 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $2 $16 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $11 $13 $54 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $9 $20 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $22 $43 $82 $66
Gym $62 $81 $9 $22 $44 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $23 $30 $142 $87
Massage $89 $59 $15 $27 $64 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Orange, Movistar, Vodafone 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow BiTaksi Uber, Uklon Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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). Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries 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! Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 98 listings on Happy Cow