Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lisbon 🇵🇹
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 15,520,000 517,000 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high High Low Very high Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Tocumen International Airport (PTY)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October April - June, September and October March - May, September, October January - April, December December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted in some places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops.
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $659 $1984 $1293 $2359
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $354 $965 $732 $1036
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $44 $136 $87 $236
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $81 $271 $131 $371
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $18 $37 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $49 $164 $96 $157
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $3 $24 $16 $21
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $6 $63 $21 $12
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $6 $27 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $2 $18 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $11 $29 $8 $35
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $15 $24 $9 $9
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $22 $47 $73 $117
Gym $62 $66 $30 $9 $65 $15 $37
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $23 $65 $54 $163
Massage $89 $56 $31 $15 $50 $20 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Claro, Tigo 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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Tip 10% in restaurants 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bacalhau à bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitão, polvo à lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, 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 Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow