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Given that you won’t be able to afford Western education, I think you should also put into the equation how long you intend on living in China. Is it simply an immersion or a long-term thing? Financially I doubt you can eventually afford the education your children needs. Because of this, I don’t think you can move to China for good. This concern trumps food safety, healthcare and air quality in my opinion.
If you only plan to stay in China for a year or two, then you will be more open to options in deciding where in China you want to be based in. Generally-speaking though, the smaller the city is, the less chances of being able to survive with just English, less expats, less Western products and less non-Chinese food options. Health care, food safety and air quality will probably be worse too.
Having said that, I wouldn’t choose Baoding over Chengdu unless they pay twice as much specially if you won’t be staying in China very long. Although Baoding is just a couple of hours from Beijing, I would stay in a more Westernized and more modern city if given a choice. It will reduce the culture shock and homesickness.
I also agree with the either you love it or you hate it thing. I come from South East Asia and I have to say East Asian countries like China will take a lot more adjusting than SEA countries.
Personally I would choose a city by the sea. Pollution won’t be as bad. Xiamen comes to mind. You can look into Xiamen University. Or maybe Tianjin since it’s a short train ride from Beijing.
Hope this helps.
