Before any conviction, shouldn't we first consider the real downside if this compensation through living costs does not materialize?
An expensive plane ticket is a certain and immediate expense, while on-site living costs are subject to too many unforeseen conditions.
What happens with an unfavorable exchange rate or unexpected local inflation that cancels out anticipated savings?
I've seen friends have to shorten their trip to Thailand because unforeseen medical expenses drained their budget, despite initially low living costs.