Bucharest vs Budapest vs Cape Town vs Madrid vs New York City

Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Population 1,830,000 1,768,073 4,617,560 6,578,0179 8,323,340
Official language(s) Romanian Hungarian Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Spanish English (de facto)
Level of English High High Very high Moderate Very high
Main airport Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Most common months to visit April - October March - June, September - November March - May, September - November March - May, September - November April - June, September - November
Currency RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ZAR - South African Rand (R) EUR - Euro (€) USD - US Dollar ($)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted everywhere Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes No
Average monthly costs $1351 $1230 $1549 $2498 $5431
Rent $615 $499 $618 $1174 $2891
Groceries $114 $108 $129 $175 $383
Dining out $165 $202 $269 $313 $656
Cafe $38 $29 $32 $51 $72
Coworking space $133 $120 $151 $196 $326
Mobile internet $7 $9 $27 $10 $45
Public transportation $21 $36 $55 $78 $220
Taxis $9 $27 $21 $44 $78
Shared bicycles and scooters $25 $13 $49 $49 $30
Sport and cultural events $29 $24 $19 $54 $100
Museums and sights $29 $7 $15 $20 $74
Nightlife $45 $43 $43 $82 $195
Gym $30 $37 $36 $44 $55
Yoga $59 $48 $56 $142 $197
Massage $31 $26 $30 $64 $109
SIM card options Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor MTN, Vodacom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone AT&T, Verizon
Tipping 5% - 10% at restaurants, 5% - 10% tip for services is appreciated but not expected, round up for taxis 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars
Taxi apps Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Uber, Bolt Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber, Lyft
Tap water Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Wide range of meat and fish dishes, soups, salads and cheeses influenced by German, Hungarian, Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian cuisine. Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. 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. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. 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 Sarmale, mămăligă, mici, ciolan cu fasole, ciorbă de burtă, covrig, papanasi Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options.
Eat like a local Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets 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! Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants
Vegetarian / vegan options 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 24 options on HappyCow 85 listings on Happy Cow 309 options on HappyCow