Austin vs Berlin vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Sofia vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 1,270,169 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Turkish Spanish Bulgarian Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - June, September and October March - May, October, November April-June, September-October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No Yes No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $659 $1867 $1289 $1976
Rent $1650 $939 $354 $778 $567 $869
Groceries $243 $188 $44 $281 $10 $146
Dining out $396 $271 $81 $182 $227 $292
Cafe $66 $57 $18 $49 $27 $42
Coworking space $331 $174 $49 $159 $140 $152
Mobile internet $40 $23 $3 $25 $10 $16
Public transportation $110 $88 $6 $11 $30 $38
Taxis $73 $58 $6 $9 $12 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $2 $24 $40 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $11 $81 $18 $73
Museums and sights $11 $37 $15 $20 $12 $44
Nightlife $124 $63 $22 $64 $82 $66
Gym $62 $66 $9 $69 $23 $34
Yoga $139 $99 $23 $65 $62 $87
Massage $89 $56 $15 $51 $29 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 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 Mytaxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable 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. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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. Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) 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 844 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow