Moving with children: categories a basic cost calculator can miss

List services before attaching prices

Write down the actual ages, schedules and services your family needs without sharing identifying details publicly. Consider care hours, school transport, meals, materials and activities where relevant. Availability and eligibility matter as much as an advertised price. Confirm these directly with the institution; a general city budget does not establish access to a place.

Use the right billing calendar

A term fee, annual fee and monthly fee should keep their original periods. For comparison you can allocate a confirmed annual amount across twelve months, while keeping actual payment dates for cash planning. Do not infer that every service operates year-round or includes holiday coverage. Identify registration charges, deposits and optional activities separately from recurring attendance costs.

Build a family-specific comparison

Use the same children, schedules and housing needs in both city scenarios. If one location requires paid care while another has a confirmed alternative, label that difference explicitly. Unavailable prices stay missing; do not multiply a single-adult food or transport total by a universal child factor. This worksheet is not advice on education eligibility, healthcare or immigration rules.

Sources and further reading

• Lifovra — methodology and limitations