Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Playa del Carmen 🇲🇽
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,323,340 | 259,453 | 1,305,737 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Turkish | Spanish | English (de facto) | Spanish | Czech | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | High | Low | Moderate | Very high | Moderate | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Cancun International Airport (CUN) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Valencia Manises Airport (VLC) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | January - May, October - December | June - October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | USD - US Dollar ($) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $659 | $2498 | $5431 | $2143 | $1806 | $1976 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $354 | $1174 | $2891 | $923 | $780 | $869 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $44 | $175 | $383 | $127 | $158 | $146 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $81 | $313 | $656 | $207 | $240 | $292 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $18 | $51 | $72 | $42 | $53 | $42 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $49 | $196 | $326 | $160 | $175 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $3 | $10 | $45 | $21 | $24 | $16 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $6 | $78 | $220 | $17 | $61 | $38 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $6 | $44 | $78 | $9 | $33 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $2 | $49 | $30 | $49 | $19 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $11 | $54 | $100 | $97 | $19 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $15 | $20 | $74 | $217 | $35 | $44 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $22 | $82 | $195 | $77 | $50 | $66 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $9 | $44 | $55 | $42 | $56 | $34 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $23 | $142 | $197 | $54 | $66 | $87 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $15 | $64 | $109 | $101 | $37 | $45 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | AT&T, Verizon | Telcel, Movistar | Vodafone, T-Mobile | 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, cafés and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars | 10-15% for restaurants | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | BiTaksi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, Lyft | N/A | Uber, Liftago | Cabify, FreeNow |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | 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 | Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. | American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse. | Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices | 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! | 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 | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. | Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | 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 | Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee | 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! | Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants | Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | 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 | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 309 options on HappyCow | 72 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |