Austin vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Panama City vs Sofia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 15,520,000 880,691 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Turkish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Low High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - June, September and October December - April April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $659 $2359 $1289
Rent $1650 $939 $354 $1036 $567
Groceries $243 $188 $44 $236 $10
Dining out $396 $271 $81 $371 $227
Cafe $66 $57 $18 $43 $27
Coworking space $331 $174 $49 $157 $140
Mobile internet $40 $23 $3 $21 $10
Public transportation $110 $88 $6 $12 $30
Taxis $73 $58 $6 $48 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $2 $0 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $11 $35 $18
Museums and sights $11 $37 $15 $9 $12
Nightlife $124 $63 $22 $117 $82
Gym $62 $66 $9 $37 $23
Yoga $139 $99 $23 $163 $62
Massage $89 $56 $15 $75 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber, Tu Chofer TaxiMe, TaxiStars
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 A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. 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.
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 Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
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 Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow