Sure, plus possibly even some element of tax normalization etc. But these are all cost-of-living items predicated on the assumption "I want to keep on living a

Sure, plus possibly even some element of tax normalization etc. But these are all cost-of-living items predicated on the assumption "I want to keep on living as I did and not be worse off for it". If that also means international schools for kids so they can stay on the same qualification track, then that's also a necessity, no? Assistance with costs of home rental are often a separate line item in a good relocation package, and things like shipment of furniture and personal effects, temporary rentals during the initial phase of the move, the services of a local vendor to deal with administrivia are also separate from the cash COL adjustment part.