Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Madrid

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Berlin ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
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Bucharest ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 4,617,560 6,578,0179
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high High Very high Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October March - May, September - November March - May, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $1549 $2498
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $618 $1174
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $129 $175
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $269 $313
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $32 $51
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $151 $196
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $27 $10
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $55 $78
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $21 $44
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $49 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $19 $54
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $15 $20
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $43 $82
Gym $62 $66 $30 $36 $44
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $56 $142
Massage $89 $56 $31 $30 $64
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated.
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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 Currywurst, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mฤƒmฤƒligฤƒ, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbฤƒ de burtฤƒ, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow