Austin 🇺🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Porto 🇵🇹
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Sofia 🇧🇬
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Population | 926,426 | 4,617,560 | 237,559 | 1,305,737 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Portuguese | Czech | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | Very high | Very High | High | High |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | May - September | June - October | April-June, September-October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | EUR - Euro (€) | CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (лв) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Accepted everywhere | Accepted most places (some places are cash only) | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $1549 | $1759 | $1806 | $1289 |
Rent | $1650 | $618 | $717 | $780 | $567 |
Groceries | $243 | $129 | $148 | $158 | $10 |
Dining out | $396 | $269 | $280 | $240 | $227 |
Cafe | $66 | $32 | $45 | $53 | $27 |
Coworking space | $331 | $151 | $96 | $175 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $27 | $21 | $24 | $10 |
Public transportation | $110 | $55 | $95 | $61 | $30 |
Taxis | $73 | $21 | $25 | $33 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $49 | $10 | $19 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $19 | $45 | $19 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $15 | $24 | $35 | $12 |
Nightlife | $124 | $43 | $66 | $50 | $82 |
Gym | $62 | $36 | $56 | $56 | $23 |
Yoga | $139 | $56 | $82 | $66 | $62 |
Massage | $89 | $30 | $48 | $37 | $29 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | MTN, Vodacom | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | Vodafone, T-Mobile | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafés |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Uber, Bolt | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | Uber, Liftago | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | 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. | South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. | A variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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. |
Local food specialities | Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. | 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 | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 112 options on HappyCow | 20 options on HappyCow |