Austin vs Barcelona vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Prague vs Valencia

Austin 🇺🇸
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Prague 🇨🇿
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Valencia 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 4,617,560 15,520,000 1,305,737 834,000
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Czech Spanish, Valencian
Level of English Very high High Very high Low High Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) Valencia Manises Airport (VLC)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November March - May, September - November April - June, September and October June - October March - June, September, October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) CZK - Czech Koruna (Kč) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Accepted most places (some places are cash only) Accepted almost everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $1549 $659 $1806 $1976
Rent $1650 $932 $618 $354 $780 $869
Groceries $243 $121 $129 $44 $158 $146
Dining out $396 $403 $269 $81 $240 $292
Cafe $66 $45 $32 $18 $53 $42
Coworking space $331 $213 $151 $49 $175 $152
Mobile internet $40 $10 $27 $3 $24 $16
Public transportation $110 $127 $55 $6 $61 $38
Taxis $73 $48 $21 $6 $33 $42
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $49 $2 $19 $30
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $19 $11 $19 $73
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $15 $35 $44
Nightlife $124 $112 $43 $22 $50 $66
Gym $62 $81 $36 $9 $56 $34
Yoga $139 $93 $56 $23 $66 $87
Massage $89 $59 $30 $15 $37 $45
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Vodafone, T-Mobile Vodafone, Orange
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10% at restaurants and bars, round up elsewhere Round up for good service at restaurants, not common at bars
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber, Liftago Cabify, FreeNow
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable 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. Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. 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 fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish 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! Mediterranean style using vegetables, seafoods and meats
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Vepřo knedlo zelo, Česnečka, Guláš, Svíčková na smetaně, Ovocné Knedlíky. Paella, fideuà, esgarrat, orxata, bunyols
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Pubs and taverns, street food stalls, local cafés Tapas bars, markets, menu del dia (cheap set lunches)
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 112 options on HappyCow 98 listings on Happy Cow