The whole point of UBI is to remove means testing. I think we can set a number that works on average and let people move to suit their needs. We definitely should avoid all incentives to game the system as it will only distract and get the initiative bogged down in paper pushing bs.
I don't think that is a concern. I had this exact conversation on Reddit a couple days ago. What I wrote:
>The flip side is it's much easier to make up the difference due to the increased economic opportunity in <high cost of living area>. If you can't it's a good incentive to move somewhere cheaper in turn reducing the pressure on housing in <high cost of living area>.
Say I'd like to live in Monaco or Luxembourg. No one owes me that privilege. I can't just demand to get that. Even if I get a job in a grocery store or whatever to legitimise my residency.
If you're from Monaco or Luxembourg, you absolutely have the right to live there. You can't force people to emigrate because they're poor, that's ridiculous. And moving from a high COL to a low COL area in the EU still amounts to emigration.
In contrast people are being forced to move now without UBI. Take Portugal for example. Lots of the younger generation can't afford to stay in Lisbon or Porto due to rising costs and low pay.