>> Read Garth's piece

Columnist Garth George has announced he is leaving Auckland saying "the quality of life in this city has deteriorated markedly in the past 20 years or so, and ever more quickly since the dawn of the 21st century."

This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.

Barry
Having lived overseas in some large cities, Auckland is a great place to live and bring up kids and is New Zealand's only true city with a great balance of night life, beaches, beautiful harbour for boating and now a decent indoor venue for big concerts (Vector Arena). Wellington...maybe, it's a nice place and has some great features, but it's so cold and windy and full of politicians so...no thanks. Chch.where I grew up...no thanks also, it's just a big overgrown country town full of ignorant one eyed Cantabrians (I can say this as I used to be one!). So apart from these 3 "cities' there isn't much left to make comparisons and there's no point making an apples and oranges comparison between Auckland and small town life. Everyone loves having a crack at Auckland.....in my experience a lot of it just comes from envy.

Ian Morine
I suggest if Garth George doesn't like living in the only city in the world where citizens can enjoy almost any activity that their hearts desire within the greater city boundaries, then I suggest Garth George does move somewhere else to live, preferably well away from Auckland ( politely I say that ) and leave Auckland to those of use that appreciate the city for what it can offer us.
My only gripe about Auckland would be the ARC - the organisation that stopped the Waterfront Stadium from going ahead - the best example of a wasted opportunity I have ever seen in my lifetime.

Reece Palmer
How nice of Mr George to do his part to make Auckland a nicer place to live, by moving out.

Matt
George's comment's resonate with how this 32 year old is feeling currently to a point now where I'm pondering why continue in Auckland.
When I was younger I thought nothing of community spirit and looking back to the late seventies and eighties I know that's the biggest feeling I now miss.
Small townships with great spirit are places that I try to visualise if I could live in and more importantly if they would embrace life with me.

Claire Foster
In response to the comment by Phil Wallington:
I was most disappointed to read your comments on "all" Aucklanders — as I am one myself, I can only take it personally. As a matter of fact, I have never considered myself money-oriented, and have lived elsewhere in the world in the past to further my quality of life in other respects. I always return to Auckland to be near family, but I have recently considered relocating again to somewhere quieter and less populous within New Zealand. I'm not sure which particular "unspoilt" region is home to your bigoted ilk, Mr Wallington, but I'll take care to ensure that I don't wind up anywhere near it.

Chris
I came to Auckland to study and cannot wait to leave. The simple attraction was the best commerce school in the country, but the cost of living here is far too high and I look forward to the day when I have the security to be able to leave.
The cost of living in Auckland is so high that in other major centre what I pay in rent alone in Auckland would cover all of my living, and that is no joke. As for the people, Auckland is a cold emotionless place, after five years I am still stunned by the people and they really need to stop looking at their own shoes and being so selfish.
Finally on the politics, pick a direction for heavens sake, nothing happens in this city and the people think it's wonderful that Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch are all developing faster than this shambles of a place.
The solution is beyond me, its so complex with massive culture problems and murders in south Auckland, and a cost of living amongst the highest in the world when wages are amongst the lowest. If anyone has an intelligent answer they have my vote!