Austin vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Madrid vs Medellin

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Population 926,426 1,830,000 15,520,000 144,900 6,578,0179 2,427,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Romanian Turkish Greek Spanish Spanish
Level of English Very high High Low High Moderate Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October - December March - May, September - November January - April, December
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1351 $659 $1959 $2498 $1293
Rent $1650 $615 $354 $678 $1174 $732
Groceries $243 $114 $44 $157 $175 $87
Dining out $396 $165 $81 $261 $313 $131
Cafe $66 $38 $18 $56 $51 $18
Coworking space $331 $133 $49 $209 $196 $96
Mobile internet $40 $7 $3 $35 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $21 $6 $63 $78 $21
Taxis $73 $9 $6 $42 $44 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $25 $2 $45 $49 $0
Sport and cultural events $54 $29 $11 $28 $54 $8
Museums and sights $11 $29 $15 $8 $20 $9
Nightlife $124 $45 $22 $110 $82 $73
Gym $62 $30 $9 $107 $44 $15
Yoga $139 $59 $23 $105 $142 $54
Massage $89 $31 $15 $54 $64 $20
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. 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! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow