Austin vs Berlin vs Bucharest vs Istanbul vs Mexico City vs Panama City vs Seoul

Austin 🇺🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Panama City 🇵🇦
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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Population 926,426 3,400,000 1,830,000 15,520,000 8,850,000 880,691 9,963,452
Official language(s) English (de facto) German Romanian Turkish Spanish Spanish Korean
Level of English Very high Very high High Low Moderate Low Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Tocumen International Airport (PTY) Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November May - September April - October April - June, September and October March - May, October, November December - April March - May, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) PAB - Panamanian Balboa (B/.) KRW - South Korean won (₩)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted almost everywhere but not in smaller shops. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No Yes No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $2200 $1351 $659 $1867 $2359 $2184
Rent $1650 $939 $615 $354 $778 $1036 $797
Groceries $243 $188 $114 $44 $281 $236 $356
Dining out $396 $271 $165 $81 $182 $371 $211
Cafe $66 $57 $38 $18 $49 $43 $69
Coworking space $331 $174 $133 $49 $159 $157 $222
Mobile internet $40 $23 $7 $3 $25 $21 $40
Public transportation $110 $88 $21 $6 $11 $12 $40
Taxis $73 $58 $9 $6 $9 $48 $41
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $25 $2 $24 $0 $13
Sport and cultural events $54 $64 $29 $11 $81 $35 $39
Museums and sights $11 $37 $29 $15 $20 $9 $6
Nightlife $124 $63 $45 $22 $64 $117 $93
Gym $62 $66 $30 $9 $69 $37 $69
Yoga $139 $99 $59 $23 $65 $163 $112
Massage $89 $56 $31 $15 $51 $75 $75
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar Claro, Movistar KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber BiTaksi Uber Uber, Tu Chofer Uber, Kakao
Tap water Drinkable Drinkable Not 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 Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. 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 Latin American. Emphasis on rice, beans, coconut, and local fruits and vegetables. Pork and beef are regularly used and influence from the islands gives seafood dishes a prominent spot in Panamanian cuisine. 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 Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Sancocho de gallina, carimanola, empanadas, tamales panameños, tostones, ropa vieja 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 Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) Fondas (roadside stalls), smaller local restaurants, local markets, food trucks Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 7 options on HappyCow 57 options on Happy Cow