Austin vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Lviv vs Medellin vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 4,617,560 15,520,000 144,900 731,387 2,427,000 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Greek Ukrainian Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Very high Low High Low Low High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December May - September January - April, December April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) COP - Colombian Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1549 $659 $1959 $922 $1293 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $618 $354 $678 $400 $732 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $129 $44 $157 $91 $87 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $269 $81 $261 $151 $131 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $32 $18 $56 $21 $18 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $151 $49 $209 $79 $96 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $27 $3 $35 $4 $16 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $55 $6 $63 $5 $21 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $21 $6 $42 $12 $14 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $49 $2 $45 $16 $0 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $19 $11 $28 $13 $8 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $15 $15 $8 $9 $9 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $43 $22 $110 $43 $73 $82 $66
Gym $62 $36 $9 $107 $22 $15 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $56 $23 $105 $30 $54 $62 $87
Massage $89 $30 $15 $54 $27 $20 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone, Kyivstar Claro, Tigo A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere Tip 10% in restaurants 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 Uber, Bolt BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Uklon EasyTaxi TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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 Mediterranean style with emphasis on seafood, meats, olives, cheesed and traditional sauces. Some food with Middle Eastern influences as well.. 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). A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 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 Opt for smaller, outside eateries and taverns serving traditional foods. Fast food kebab shops and falafel bars offer authentic options, too. Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food 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 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 9 options on HappyCow 153 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow