Austin vs Bucharest vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Lisbon vs Medellin vs Panama City

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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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 1,830,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 517,000 2,427,000 880,691
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Portuguese Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Very high Low Very high Low Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) 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 April - October March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, September, October January - April, December December - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops 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 No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $1549 $659 $1984 $1293 $2359
Rent $1650 $615 $618 $354 $965 $732 $1036
Groceries $243 $114 $129 $44 $136 $87 $236
Dining out $396 $165 $269 $81 $271 $131 $371
Cafe $66 $38 $32 $18 $37 $18 $43
Coworking space $331 $133 $151 $49 $164 $96 $157
Mobile internet $40 $7 $27 $3 $24 $16 $21
Public transportation $110 $21 $55 $6 $63 $21 $12
Taxis $73 $9 $21 $6 $27 $14 $48
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $49 $2 $18 $0 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $19 $11 $29 $8 $35
Museums and sights $11 $29 $15 $15 $24 $9 $9
Nightlife $124 $45 $43 $22 $47 $73 $117
Gym $62 $30 $36 $9 $65 $15 $37
Yoga $139 $59 $56 $23 $65 $54 $163
Massage $89 $31 $30 $15 $50 $20 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone Claro, Tigo Claro, Movistar
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 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 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 Star Taxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, FreeNow EasyTaxi Uber, Tu Chofer
Tap water Drinkable Not 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. 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 sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow 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 Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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 33 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 401 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow