Berlin vs Cape Town vs Lisbon vs Madrid vs Medellin vs New York City

Berlin ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช
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Cape Town ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ
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Lisbon ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Medellin ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ด
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New York City ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Population 3,400,000 4,617,560 517,000 6,578,0179 2,427,000 8,323,340
Official language(s) German Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Portuguese Spanish Spanish English (de facto)
Level of English Very high Very high Very high Moderate Low Very high
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Josรฉ Marรญa Cรณrdova International Airport (MDE) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Most common months to visit May - September March - May, September - November March - May, September, October March - May, September - November January - April, December April - June, September - November
Currency EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) COP - Colombian Peso ($) USD - US Dollar ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted almost everywhere (less for AMEX) Accepted everywhere Accepted in some places Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa Yes No Yes Yes No No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1549 $1984 $2498 $1293 $5431
Rent $939 $618 $965 $1174 $732 $2891
Groceries $188 $129 $136 $175 $87 $383
Dining out $271 $269 $271 $313 $131 $656
Cafe $57 $32 $37 $51 $18 $72
Coworking space $174 $151 $164 $196 $96 $326
Mobile internet $23 $27 $24 $10 $16 $45
Public transportation $88 $55 $63 $78 $21 $220
Taxis $58 $21 $27 $44 $14 $78
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $49 $18 $49 $0 $30
Sport and cultural events $64 $19 $29 $54 $8 $100
Museums and sights $37 $15 $24 $20 $9 $74
Nightlife $63 $43 $47 $82 $73 $195
Gym $66 $36 $65 $44 $15 $55
Yoga $99 $56 $65 $142 $54 $197
Massage $56 $30 $50 $64 $20 $109
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone MTN, Vodacom Vodafone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Claro, Tigo AT&T, Verizon
Tipping Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere 5-10% for restaurants, not common at bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. Tip 10% in restaurants 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Uber, Bolt Uber, FreeNow Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now EasyTaxi Uber, Lyft
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable 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 sautรฉed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. Fresh seafood, meats, soup, sausages and famous pastries Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats American. Emphasis on comfort and fast food, with some good seafood dishes. Influence from other regions of the US, North America and the world make NYC a cosmopolitan and international cuisine hub that is incredibly diverse.
Local food specialities Currywurst, spรคtzle, kรถnigsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Bacalhau ร  bras, sardinhas, petiscos, leitรฃo, polvo ร  lagareiro, pasteis de nata, bifana Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options.
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 Tascas, snack bars, seafood restaurants Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros! Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 401 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow