Austin vs Barcelona vs Istanbul vs Larnaca vs Playa del Carmen vs Seoul

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Barcelona ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Larnaca ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡พ
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Playa del Carmen ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Seoul ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท
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Population 926,426 5,585,556 15,520,000 144,900 259,453 9,963,452
Official language(s) English (de facto) Catalan, Spanish Turkish Greek Spanish Korean
Level of English Very high High Low High Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Istanbul Airport (IST) Larnaca International Airport (LCA) Cancun International Airport (CUN) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November April - June, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October - December January - May, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) KRW - South Korean won (โ‚ฉ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2384 $659 $1959 $2143 $2184
Rent $1650 $932 $354 $678 $923 $797
Groceries $243 $121 $44 $157 $127 $356
Dining out $396 $403 $81 $261 $207 $211
Cafe $66 $45 $18 $56 $42 $69
Coworking space $331 $213 $49 $209 $160 $222
Mobile internet $40 $10 $3 $35 $21 $40
Public transportation $110 $127 $6 $63 $17 $40
Taxis $73 $48 $6 $42 $9 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $24 $2 $45 $49 $13
Sport and cultural events $54 $81 $11 $28 $97 $39
Museums and sights $11 $33 $15 $8 $217 $6
Nightlife $124 $112 $22 $110 $77 $93
Gym $62 $81 $9 $107 $42 $69
Yoga $139 $93 $23 $105 $54 $112
Massage $89 $59 $15 $54 $101 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Vodafone, Movistar Turkcell, Turk Telekom Primetel, Cytamobile-Vodafone and Epic/MTN Telcel, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
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 Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars 10% usually added and expected at restaurants, round up at bars 10-15% for restaurants Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Cabify, FreeNow BiTaksi nTaxi N/A Uber, Kakao
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. 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. 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.. Staple dishes from maize, beans, sweet potato and avocado along with meat, chili peppers and other spices Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomรกquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Souvlaki, sheftalia, kleftiko, stifado, halloumi, koukepia and moussaka Chilaquiles, tacos al pastor, chile rellenos, cochinita pibil, tostadas, pozole Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam
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 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. Taco stands, esquite stalls, El Fogon, El Pirata, Dona Mary's Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 98 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 14 options on HappyCow, but non-meat Mediterranean/Middle Eastern options are always available 72 listings on Happy Cow 57 options on Happy Cow