Berlin vs Bucharest vs Budapest vs Chiang Mai vs Istanbul vs Medellin

Berlin 🇩🇪
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Bucharest 🇷🇴
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Chiang Mai 🇹🇭
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Istanbul 🇹🇷
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Medellin 🇨🇴
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Population 3,400,000 1,830,000 1,768,073 1,166,978 15,520,000 2,427,000
Official language(s) German Romanian Hungarian Thai Turkish Spanish
Level of English Very high High High Low Low Low
Main airport Berlin Tegel (TXL) Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) Istanbul Airport (IST) José María Córdova International Airport (MDE)
Most common months to visit May - September April - October March - June, September - November November - April April - June, September and October January - April, December
Currency EUR - Euro (€) RON - Romanian Leu (L) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) THB - Thai Baht (฿) TRY - Turkish Lira (₺) COP - Colombian Peso ($)
Credit cards Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places. Accepted in most places Accepted in some places
Remote worker visa Yes No No No No No
Average monthly costs $2200 $1351 $1230 $974 $659 $1293
Rent $939 $615 $499 $274 $354 $732
Groceries $188 $114 $108 $169 $44 $87
Dining out $271 $165 $202 $108 $81 $131
Cafe $57 $38 $29 $45 $18 $18
Coworking space $174 $133 $120 $95 $49 $96
Mobile internet $23 $7 $9 $11 $3 $16
Public transportation $88 $21 $36 $60 $6 $21
Taxis $58 $9 $27 $20 $6 $14
Shared bicycles and scooters $17 $25 $13 $10 $2 $0
Sport and cultural events $64 $29 $24 $8 $11 $8
Museums and sights $37 $29 $7 $8 $15 $9
Nightlife $63 $45 $43 $62 $22 $73
Gym $66 $30 $37 $41 $9 $15
Yoga $99 $59 $48 $55 $23 $54
Massage $56 $31 $26 $10 $15 $20
SIM card options Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Orange Vodafone, Telenor AIS, DTAC Turkcell, Turk Telekom Claro, Tigo
Tipping 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 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafés and bars Tip 10% in restaurants
Taxi apps Mytaxi, Uber Star Taxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Grab BiTaksi EasyTaxi
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine 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. 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. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish A blend of indigenous and European traditions with rice, maize, cassava, assorted legumes, and meats
Local food specialities Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels 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 Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua Döner, İçli Köfte, Dondurma, Karnıyarık, Turkish delight Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, mondongo, empanada, and arepa
Eat like a local Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Set lunch menus, cafe terraces, cofeterias Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee Street stalls for empanada and arepa with cheese, restaurants for traditional Colombian food
Vegetarian / vegan options 844 listings on Happy Cow 33 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 153 listings on Happy Cow