I love Wellington because Wellington is a legit setting for a sea shanty.

It’s a vibe. Weather must be sketchy, housing stock dubious, history tangled. Good skies, salty folks. A certain air of Too Far or Not Here. The sea always wins.

Not all coastal cities can cut it. Many are too pleasant or boring or just make too much sense. New Orleans, Valparaiso = Hell yeah. Auckland, San Diego = yeah nah