The first thing I want to say is that you are deeply mistaken on the cost for a full license conversion.
Everyone's living+travel expenses will be different obviously but I'm sitting at roughly 10k€ total with a MCC course and PBN rating for a full CPL-MEIR conversion. That's everything except living cost.
Secondly; the process is long, the theory part will be by far the hardest. The market in Europe is not in the best shape but the market is cyclical and by the time you are ready to jump in it will be hiring frenzy again (I hope).
With that said it's worth it, in less than 2 months finishing my conversion I'm in a successful hold pool for a type-rating and planning for another assessment. In my country I waited years to get a PFO email. So take that as you want.
Good luck!