I think the fact of the matter is that one might have a better life working for a regional carrier in the US rather than CX. At least after a short time period of slugging it out, and the pilot shortage has the knock on effect of higher turnover at regionals (with much more rapid advancement through seniority) as well as necessarily higher wages.
Cost is a relative thing. Costs of living in the US can be quite low depending on where you live and rather than blowing all your money trying to make ends meet with hugely expensive housing in a tiny place in HK, you can actually get a pretty decent amount of acreage pretty cheap. Even between locations in the US costs can vary wildly (one can get a decent place for maybe one-fifth to one-tenth of the cost outside of the areas where CX bases in the US even which are some of the more expensive cities to live in; hence the large fraction of commuters).
Now, it’s very unlikely a regional will take as good care of you on the road and you will be quite a bit busier (rather than watching air go by or droning for long periods of time). Then again, some people like busy. The equipment may not be as shiny and well maintained, but again some folks don’t mind this either. Living in a decent place under decent conditions really has a great deal going for it. And for those already far along in their careers but not ready to hang it up quite yet (but not wanting to live in HKG with little say in their destiny) a regional might make sense for some extra cash while doing something you like. With the added advantage of accumulating Social Security credits if needed. As well (with some) of better reciprocal agreements and staff travel, KCM, CASS, etc.
Much depends on the exact details but the fact people are considering stuff like this speaks volumes as to where we’ve come in a few short years.