Berlin vs Cape Town vs Istanbul vs Mexico City

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 15,520,000 8,850,000
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high Very high Low Moderate
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Istanbul Airport (IST) Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November April - June, September and October March - May, October, November
Currency EUR - Euro (€) ZAR - South African Rand (R) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) MXN - Mexican Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in most places Widely accepted (less with AMEX)
Remote worker visa Yes No No Yes
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $659 $1867
Rent $939 $618 $354 $778
Groceries $188 $129 $44 $281
Dining out $271 $269 $81 $182
Cafe $57 $32 $18 $49
Coworking space $174 $151 $49 $159
Mobile internet $23 $27 $3 $25
Public transportation $88 $55 $6 $11
Taxis $58 $21 $6 $9
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $2 $24
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $11 $81
Museums and sights $37 $15 $15 $20
Nightlife $63 $43 $22 $64
Gym $66 $36 $9 $69
Yoga $99 $56 $23 $65
Massage $56 $30 $15 $51
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Turkcell, Turk Telekom Telcel, Movistar
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt BiTaksi Uber
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread 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 Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops 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 Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus)
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow