Austin ๐บ๐ธ
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Madrid ๐ช๐ธ
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Porto ๐ต๐น
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Sofia ๐ง๐ฌ
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Population | 926,426 | 6,578,0179 | 237,559 | 1,270,169 |
Official language(s) | English (de facto) | Spanish | Portuguese | Bulgarian |
Level of English | Very high | Moderate | Very High | High |
Main airport | Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) | Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) | Francisco Sรก Carneiro International Airport (OPO) | Sofia International Airport (SOF) |
Most common months to visit | March - May, September - November | March - May, September - November | May - September | April-June, September-October |
Currency | USD - US Dollar ($) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | EUR - Euro (โฌ) | BGN - Bulgarian Lev (ะปะฒ) |
Credit cards | Accepted almost everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere | Accepted everywhere |
Remote worker visa | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Average monthly costs | $3484 | $2498 | $1759 | $1289 |
Rent | $1650 | $1174 | $717 | $567 |
Groceries | $243 | $175 | $148 | $10 |
Dining out | $396 | $313 | $280 | $227 |
Cafe | $66 | $51 | $45 | $27 |
Coworking space | $331 | $196 | $96 | $140 |
Mobile internet | $40 | $10 | $21 | $10 |
Public transportation | $110 | $78 | $95 | $30 |
Taxis | $73 | $44 | $25 | $12 |
Shared bicycles and scooters | $96 | $49 | $10 | $40 |
Sport and cultural events | $54 | $54 | $45 | $18 |
Museums and sights | $11 | $20 | $24 | $12 |
Nightlife | $124 | $82 | $66 | $82 |
Gym | $62 | $44 | $56 | $23 |
Yoga | $139 | $142 | $82 | $62 |
Massage | $89 | $64 | $48 | $29 |
SIM card options | AT&T, T-Mobile. | Orange, Movistar, Vodafone | Vodafone, MEO, NOS | A1, Telenor, Vivacom |
Tipping | 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars | Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated. | 5-10% at restaurants if happy with service, not expected at cafes or bars | 10% in restaurants, 1-2 BGN at bars and cafรฉs |
Taxi apps | Uber, Lyft | Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now | Uber, MyTaxi, Cabify | TaxiMe, TaxiStars |
Tap water | Drinkable | Drinkable | 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. | 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 variety of meats often mixed with fresh legumes and vegetables. Emphasis on rich seafood dishes and creamy desserts. | 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 | Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileรฑa, churros | Bacalhau, Alheira de Mirandela, Francesinha, queido da serra da estrela, tripas a moda do Oporto, pasteis de chaves, tarte de amendoa | 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 | 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! | Local taverns, terraces, markets, tascas, churrascarias and local sports bars | Taverns, local BBQ restaurants, local markets and smaller eateries in residential and university areas. |
Vegetarian / vegan options | 30 options on HappyCow | 85 listings on Happy Cow | 46 options on Happy Cow | 20 options on HappyCow |