Austin vs Hanoi vs Istanbul vs Medellin vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population 926,426 8,053,663 15,520,000 2,427,000 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Moderate Low Low Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January, February, October - December April - June, September and October January - April, December March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $1167 $659 $1293 $1867 $1289
Rent $1650 $503 $354 $732 $778 $567
Groceries $243 $151 $44 $87 $281 $10
Dining out $396 $134 $81 $131 $182 $227
Cafe $66 $39 $18 $18 $49 $27
Coworking space $331 $72 $49 $96 $159 $140
Mobile internet $40 $4 $3 $16 $25 $10
Public transportation $110 $20 $6 $21 $11 $30
Taxis $73 $13 $6 $14 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $2 $0 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $3 $11 $8 $81 $18
Museums and sights $11 $4 $15 $9 $20 $12
Nightlife $124 $89 $22 $73 $64 $82
Gym $62 $57 $9 $15 $69 $23
Yoga $139 $57 $23 $54 $65 $62
Massage $89 $21 $15 $20 $51 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Viettel, Mobifone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
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 Tip 10% in restaurants 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab, GoViet BiTaksi EasyTaxi Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not 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. 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 A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats 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 Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa 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 Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Markets, food stalls, menú del día (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 104 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow