Austin vs Da Nang vs Istanbul vs Madrid vs Mexico City vs Sofia

Austin ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Da Nang ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ
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Istanbul ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท
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Madrid ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
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Mexico City ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ
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Sofia ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฌ
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Population 926,426 1,125,316 15,520,000 6,578,0179 8,850,000 1,270,169
Official language(s) English (de facto) Vietnamese Turkish Spanish Spanish Bulgarian
Level of English Very high Low Low Moderate Moderate High
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Da Nang International Airport (DAD) Istanbul Airport (IST) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) Mexico City International Airport (MEX) Sofia International Airport (SOF)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November February - May April - June, September and October March - May, September - November March - May, October, November April-June, September-October
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) VND - Vietnamese Dong (โ‚ซ) TRY - Turkish Lira (โ‚บ) EUR - Euro (โ‚ฌ) MXN - Mexican Peso ($) BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted in some places. Cash also needed. Accepted in most places Accepted everywhere Widely accepted (less with AMEX) Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No No Yes Yes No
Average monthly costs $3484 $959 $659 $2498 $1867 $1289
Rent $1650 $316 $354 $1174 $778 $567
Groceries $243 $161 $44 $175 $281 $10
Dining out $396 $128 $81 $313 $182 $227
Cafe $66 $35 $18 $51 $49 $27
Coworking space $331 $88 $49 $196 $159 $140
Mobile internet $40 $4 $3 $10 $25 $10
Public transportation $110 $15 $6 $78 $11 $30
Taxis $73 $15 $6 $44 $9 $12
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $0 $2 $49 $24 $40
Sport and cultural events $54 $6 $11 $54 $81 $18
Museums and sights $11 $2 $15 $20 $20 $12
Nightlife $124 $74 $22 $82 $64 $82
Gym $62 $34 $9 $44 $69 $23
Yoga $139 $71 $23 $142 $65 $62
Massage $89 $10 $15 $64 $51 $29
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. Viettel, Vinafone Turkcell, Turk Telekom Orange, Movistar, Vodafone Telcel, Movistar A1, Telenor, Vivacom
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 5-15% in restaurants, round up at bars and cafes Tip 5-10% in restaurants, cafรฉs and bars Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. 10-15% for restaurants, bars and services 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab BiTaksi Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now Uber TaxiMe, TaxiStars
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Healthy and with robust flavors, Vietnamese cuisine combines noodles and rice with a variety of greens and local herbs to compliment specially seasoned pork, beef or seafood dishes. In Da Nang, you'll find a strong emphasis on barbecued seafood dishes as well as fish-based sauces. A fusion of cultures creates diverse dishes with bulgur, koftes, stews, eggplants and fish Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors. Corn, beans, tortillas and chili peppers typically alongside meat and cheese Vegetables and mild spices are often mixed with dairy products to create rich chicken and pork products. Seafood dishes also popular in some regions of the country, making them popular in the capital.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Chao Tom, Bahn Xeo, Goi Cuon, Bun Thit Nuong, Bahn Cuon, Mi Quang, Bun nam, Bun cha ca Dรถner, ฤฐรงli Kรถfte, Dondurma, Karnฤฑyarฤฑk, Turkish delight Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros Enchiladas, torta de chilaquiles, esquites, quesadillas, tlacoyos, tacos, tostadas Kebapche, Bulgarian musaka, lyutenitsa, shkember chorba, kyufte, kavarma, banitsa and tarator
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Smaller, local restaurants, roadside eateries, street food stalls and local markets Traditional breakfasts, street stalls for simit, lahmacun and kokorec, Turkish coffee 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! Markets, food stalls, menรบ del dรญa (cheap set lunch menus) Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas.
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 107 options on HappyCow 59 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow 279 listings on Happy Cow 20 options on HappyCow