Re: ‘We don't want Auckland's refugees' (The Weekend Sun, December 30). I take umbrage at R Paterson's letter. My husband and I are a couple of those dreadful Aucklanders that have dared to come and settle in his city. Well I have news for R. Paterson - not all things about people moving into Tauranga and surrounds is all bad. We've been visiting Tauranga and surrounds during a lot of years starting in the 1980s. In those days it had nothing that would even have slightly tempted us to move down here. We've noticed in the last few years the hospital system has improved – yes improved, and one that needed to. More imports from elsewhere has meant better bus services, more choice with supermarkets and also housing has meant that standards of housing has improved. No cold draughty houses but modern, well insulated with double glazing. Roads chocker in Tauranga - that's a joke. We left Auckland to live down here in Tauranga on December 16. We had got to the stage that going anywhere anytime of the day or night in Auckland was a total nightmare and getting worse. The shopping centres overall have been upgraded to a standard of any major city anywhere. Your waterfront has had a total upgrade and is still being improved. Greerton Library is fairly new – I'm sure the influx of new residents has had something to do with that. I don't care about the museum – that's a bit of a random comment. We have family in Auckland so if we want to visit a museum we can go and visit the one there. I think the issue is you are a crotchety old codger and don't like anybody much. I'm sorry we offend you by daring to even consider Tauranga and surrounds as a place to live. Auckland has made it impossible for a huge amount of retirees to even consider a comfortable old age. Our houses were ridiculously overvalued. As far as Tauranga's house prices escalating, well they're not compared to Auckland. During the 15 years we owned our home in an eastern suburbs area in Auckland our house went up $60,000 a year. I think by the time Tauranga even gets to the same stage of Auckland, you and I will be long dead.

C Frayling, Ohauiti.