I'm also pulling the plug this summer I'm afraid. Know of at least 3 other Cathay families doing the same and I'm seriously considering my future should a base not be available. The pollution here is out of control and the environmental disaster, in my opinion, is of biblical proportions. The western world is slowly trying to improve its behavior when it comes to environmental issues. Yet in order to feed its insatiable appetite for ever cheaper products, requires places like China to increase its manufacturing output. And with little or no environmental laws, the end result is shocking. I don't believe the average person in Europe/North America is aware of the damage being done in this part of the world.
No improvement in our life time me thinks, as a fair proportion of the factories in southern China are owned by HKG businessmen. Money more important around here than anything else, including life. After all, that's why most of us have turned a blind eye to the problem for so long. We're probably just as greedy.
Lots of non airline friends are also very concerned but they're typically only here for about 3 years, before they move on. Other expat locations like the "sand pit" have it's problems I'm sure, but large companies like Cathay will find it increasingly difficult to attract people to the smog of Hong Kong.
I think this is a great city and I've really enjoyed my time here. But you only have to look out the window to realize it just can't keep going on like this.
Just my thoughts.
BI