Austin 🇺🇸
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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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 | 8,850,000 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 | 834,000 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Turkish | Spanish | Czech | Bulgarian | Spanish, Valencian |
Level of English | Very high | Low | Moderate | High | High | Moderate |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Istanbul Airport (IST) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | 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, November | June - October | April-June, September-October | March - June, September, October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) | EUR - Euro (€) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted in most places | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $659 | $1867 | $1806 | $1289 | $1976 |
Rent | $1650 | $354 | $778 | $780 | $567 | $869 |
Groceries | $243 | $44 | $281 | $158 | $10 | $146 |
Dining out | $396 | $81 | $182 | $240 | $227 | $292 |
Cafe | $66 | $18 | $49 | $53 | $27 | $42 |
Coworking space | $331 | $49 | $159 | $175 | $140 | $152 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $3 | $25 | $24 | $10 | $16 |
Public transportation | $110 | $6 | $11 | $61 | $30 | $38 |
Taxis | $73 | $6 | $9 | $33 | $12 | $42 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $2 | $24 | $19 | $40 | $30 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $11 | $81 | $19 | $18 | $73 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $15 | $20 | $35 | $12 | $44 |
Nightlife | $124 | $22 | $64 | $50 | $82 | $66 |
Gym | $62 | $9 | $69 | $56 | $23 | $34 |
Yoga | $139 | $23 | $65 | $66 | $62 | $87 |
Massage | $89 | $15 | $51 | $37 | $29 | $45 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Turkcell, Turk Telekom | Telcel, Movistar | 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 | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 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 | Uber | 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 | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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 | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | 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 | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | 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 | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow | 98 listings on Happy Cow |