Austin vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Prague vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Larnaca 🇨🇾
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 15,520,000 144,900 1,305,737 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Turkish Greek Czech Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Low High High High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December June - October April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) EUR - Euro (€) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $659 $1959 $1806 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $354 $678 $780 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $44 $157 $158 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $81 $261 $240 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $18 $56 $53 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $49 $209 $175 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $3 $35 $24 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $6 $63 $61 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $6 $42 $33 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $2 $45 $19 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $11 $28 $19 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $15 $8 $35 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $22 $110 $50 $82 $66
Gym $62 $9 $107 $56 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $23 $105 $66 $62 $87
Massage $89 $15 $54 $37 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Vodafone, T-Mobile A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere 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 BiTaksi nTaxi Uber, Liftago TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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 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.. 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! 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 Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. 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 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. Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés 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 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 112 options on HappyCow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow