Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Panama City

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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Panama City ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 4,617,560 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high High Very high Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October March - May, September - November December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
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 almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $1549 $2359
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $618 $1036
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $129 $236
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $269 $371
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $32 $43
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $151 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $27 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $55 $12
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $21 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $19 $35
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $15 $9
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $43 $117
Gym $62 $66 $30 $36 $37
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $56 $163
Massage $89 $56 $31 $30 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Claro, Movistar
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 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine.
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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameรฑos, tostones, ropa vieja
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 7 options on HappyCow