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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Mexico City 🇲🇽
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New York City 🇺🇸
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Seoul 🇰🇷
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| Population | 5,585,556 | 4,617,560 | 8,850,000 | 8,323,340 | 9,963,452 |
| Official language(s) | Catalan, Spanish | Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English | Spanish | English (de facto) | Korean |
| Level of English | High | Very high | Moderate | Very high | Moderate |
| Main airport | Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) | Mexico City International Airport (MEX) | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Incheon International Airport (ICN) |
| Most common months to visit | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November | March - May, October, November | April - June, September - November | March - May, September - November |
| Currency | EUR - Euro (€) | ZAR - South African Rand (R) | MXN - Mexican Peso ($) | USD - US Dollar ($) | KRW - South Korean won (₩) |
| Credit cards | Accepted almost evewhere | Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops | Widely accepted (less with AMEX) | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
| Remote worker visa | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Average monthly costs | $2384 | $1549 | $1867 | $5431 | $2184 |
| Rent | $932 | $618 | $778 | $2891 | $797 |
| Groceries | $121 | $129 | $281 | $383 | $356 |
| Dining out | $403 | $269 | $182 | $656 | $211 |
| Cafe | $45 | $32 | $49 | $72 | $69 |
| Coworking space | $213 | $151 | $159 | $326 | $222 |
| Mobile internet | $10 | $27 | $25 | $45 | $40 |
| Public transportation | $127 | $55 | $11 | $220 | $40 |
| Taxis | $48 | $21 | $9 | $78 | $41 |
| Shared bicycles and scooters | $24 | $49 | $24 | $30 | $13 |
| Sport and cultural events | $81 | $19 | $81 | $100 | $39 |
| Museums and sights | $33 | $15 | $20 | $74 | $6 |
| Nightlife | $112 | $43 | $64 | $195 | $93 |
| Gym | $81 | $36 | $69 | $55 | $69 |
| Yoga | $93 | $56 | $65 | $197 | $112 |
| Massage | $59 | $30 | $51 | $109 | $75 |
| SIM card options | Vodafone, Movistar | MTN, Vodacom | Telcel, Movistar | AT&T, Verizon | KT, SK Telecom, LG Uplus |
| Tipping | 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere | 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere | 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services | 15-20% at restaurants, 1 USD per drink at bars | Not customary or expected |
| Taxi apps | Cabify, FreeNow | Uber, Bolt | Uber | Uber, Lyft | Uber, Kakao |
| Tap water | Drinkable | Not drinkable | Not drinkable | Drinkable | Drinkable |
| Overall cuisine | Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. | 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. | Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese | 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. | Emphasis on rice, vegetables, spices and meats. Main dishes are coupled with diverse side dishes and desserts. Strong driking culture. |
| Local food specialities | Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo | Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow | Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas | Pizza, clam chowder, bagels, corned beef, pastrami, cheesecake, hot dogs, and hundred of other international food options. | Kimchi, bulgogi, chap chae, mandu, sam gae tang, bossam |
| Eat like a local | Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots | Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets | Markets, food stalls, menú del día (cheap set lunch menus) | Delis, local pizza shops, street food stalls and food trucks, food markets, local bakeries and smaller, authentic international cuisine restaurants | Smaller, local eateries (sikdang), street stalls and local markets |
| Vegetarian / vegan options | 98 options on HappyCow | 24 options on HappyCow | 279 listings on Happy Cow | 309 options on HappyCow | 57 options on Happy Cow |