What’s with the Auckland hate stigma??

I’m guilty of it too and was so closed minded about Auckland, stubbornly set in the opinion that Auckland is shit. Growing up, my parents, grandparents said the same thing. The motorways, the traffic, the size, the people, etc etc etc. I think it’s all bullshit, and it actually isn’t that daunting driving here. Sure the motorways are flawed, but they work and flow. Most of the population is here, but the actual size of the Auckland isn’t that impressive on the scale of “large cities”, there are weirdos and bad drivers everywhere, and maybe be smart about it and work and live not on the complete opposite ends of town. Maybe an unpopular opinion but I actually really enjoy living here and I’ve been here for almost 3 years now.

What is the stigma?? Please share your thoughts. As soon as I visited Auckland for myself, drove around, and realised it ain’t that bad I try to explain this to my out of town friends/family but they won’t hear a bar of it, they hate Auckland!!!

Enlighten me. Happy Friday fellow Jafas.