Austin vs Barcelona vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Lviv vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 3,400,000 15,520,000 731,387 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish German Turkish Ukrainian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November May - September April - June, September and October May - September March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $2200 $659 $922 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $939 $354 $400 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $188 $44 $91 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $271 $81 $151 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $57 $18 $21 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $174 $49 $79 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $23 $3 $4 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $88 $6 $5 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $58 $6 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $17 $2 $16 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $64 $11 $13 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $37 $15 $9 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $63 $22 $43 $66
Gym $62 $81 $66 $9 $22 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $99 $23 $30 $87
Massage $89 $59 $56 $15 $27 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar 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 Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Uklon Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable 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. 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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). 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow