Austin vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Lviv vs Prague

Austin 🇺🇸
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Lviv 🇺🇦
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Population 926,426 8,053,663 15,520,000 731,387 1,305,737
Official language(s) English (de facto) Vietnamese Turkish Ukrainian Czech
Level of English Very high Moderate Low Low High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January, February, October - December April - June, September and October May - September June - October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) UAH - Ukrainian Hryvnia (₴) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted almost everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only)
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1167 $659 $922 $1806
Rent $1650 $503 $354 $400 $780
Groceries $243 $151 $44 $91 $158
Dining out $396 $134 $81 $151 $240
Cafe $66 $39 $18 $21 $53
Coworking space $331 $72 $49 $79 $175
Mobile internet $40 $4 $3 $4 $24
Public transportation $110 $20 $6 $5 $61
Taxis $73 $13 $6 $12 $33
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $2 $16 $19
Sport and cultural events $54 $3 $11 $13 $19
Museums and sights $11 $4 $15 $9 $35
Nightlife $124 $89 $22 $43 $50
Gym $62 $57 $9 $22 $56
Yoga $139 $57 $23 $30 $66
Massage $89 $21 $15 $27 $37
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, Kyivstar Vodafone, T-Mobile
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% in restaurants, not expected elsewhere 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab, GoViet BiTaksi Uber, Uklon Uber, Liftago
Tap water 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. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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). Thick soups are often combined with stewed vegetables and baked meats to produce rich dishes. Gravies and creams are popular in Czech cuisine, as is beer!
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Lviv cheesecake, fish Zupa, Tsivikli, Karmanadli, Banosh, Borscht, Salo, Syrnyky Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky.
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Local grills, themed taverns, local breweries, small bakeries Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 9 options on HappyCow 112 options on HappyCow