Although I don't work for Cathay, I did work for another Hong Kong carrier and under much better contract terms that are on offer. Given: A) the terms and conditions you are being hired under and B) the cost of living in Hong Kong, I can't see how moving to Cathay/Hong Kong can be viewed as anything but a short-term adventure. If you are young and single sure you can make it work; but the moment you decided to settle down and start a family (if that is something you wish to do at some point), unless things dramatically change with both Cathay/Hong Kong you will be looking to move on. You have to ask yourself this, "Where do I see myself in 5, 10 and more years?"