Austin vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 15,520,000 6,578,0179 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Turkish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - June, September and October March - May, September - November April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $659 $2498 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $939 $354 $1174 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $188 $44 $175 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $271 $81 $313 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $57 $18 $51 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $174 $49 $196 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $23 $3 $10 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $88 $6 $78 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $58 $6 $44 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $2 $49 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $11 $54 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $37 $15 $20 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $63 $22 $82 $82 $66
Gym $62 $66 $9 $44 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $99 $23 $142 $62 $87
Massage $89 $56 $15 $64 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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 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. Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops 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! Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow