Struggling to live in an expensive area is a measure of one’s access to the average opportunities available to others.
Merchants able to transport wealth are an ancient tradition. Many have profited greatly from the endeavor. Many have also died along the journey or been forced to establish a new living standard for themselves in a place of lesser opportunity when they are confronted with an unexpected challenge and can not return. The journey down is easy, but mobility is not symmetrical.
It works if you already have some semblance of wealth or can work remote. Someone looking to retire may find it doesn’t work where they are but they can buy the same house for half the cost in South Dakota and suddenly things pencil out.
And other instances may work as well. If a job is paying $20 an hour in a big city and $17 in a different area but rent is 30 percent cheaper it can be a difference maker, but relocating is expensive.
Just wanted to defend the other side of your blanket statement