Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Da Nang 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population | 926,426 | 5,585,556 | 1,125,316 | 15,520,000 | 6,578,0179 | 8,850,000 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Catalan, Spanish | Vietnamese | Turkish | Spanish | Spanish | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | High | Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate | High |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Da Nang International Airport (DAD) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | April - June, September - November | February - May | April - June, September and October | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | April-June, September-October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (€) | VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | EUR - Euro (€) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. | Accepted in most places | Accepted everywhere | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2384 | $959 | $659 | $2498 | $1867 | $1289 |
Rent | $1650 | $932 | $316 | $354 | $1174 | $778 | $567 |
Groceries | $243 | $121 | $161 | $44 | $175 | $281 | $10 |
Dining out | $396 | $403 | $128 | $81 | $313 | $182 | $227 |
Cafe | $66 | $45 | $35 | $18 | $51 | $49 | $27 |
Coworking space | $331 | $213 | $88 | $49 | $196 | $159 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $4 | $3 | $10 | $25 | $10 |
Public transportation | $110 | $127 | $15 | $6 | $78 | $11 | $30 |
Taxis | $73 | $48 | $15 | $6 | $44 | $9 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $24 | $0 | $2 | $49 | $24 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $81 | $6 | $11 | $54 | $81 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $33 | $2 | $15 | $20 | $20 | $12 |
Nightlife | $124 | $112 | $74 | $22 | $82 | $64 | $82 |
Gym | $62 | $81 | $34 | $9 | $44 | $69 | $23 |
Yoga | $139 | $93 | $71 | $23 | $142 | $65 | $62 |
Massage | $89 | $59 | $10 | $15 | $64 | $51 | $29 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Vodafone, Movistar | Viettel, Vinafone | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Telcel, Movistar | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes | Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Cabify, FreeNow | Grab | BiTaksi | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | 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. | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. | 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. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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 | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca | Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets | 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! | Markets, food stalls, menú del dÃa (cheap set lunch menus) | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 98 options on HappyCow | 107 options on HappyCow | 59 listings on Happy Cow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |