Serious question, what actually keeps you in Auckland?

I'm 25, grew up in Auckland, and recently moved to the UK for work. I still come back twice a year to see family. But basically every time I come back, I realize every friend I had from high school is now in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. Better pay, better job opportunities, and it's a 3 hour flight home.

It feels like moving to Aus is almost a no-brainer at this point, especially in your 20s.

I'm not tryna be negative, I genuinely love Auckland, am a proud Kiwi, and miss heaps about it. But from the outside looking in, I'm curious what makes people stay? Is it family? Lifestyle? Or do you just reckon Auckland gets a worse rap than it deserves?

Would love to hear from people who considered leaving but chose to stay, or people who left and came back. What's the actual pull?