Harare the early 21st century Harare has been adversely affected by the political and economic crisis that is currently plaguing Zimbabwe, after the contested 2002 presidential election and 2005 parliamentary elections. The elected council was replaced by a government-appointed commission for alleged inefficiency, but essential services such as rubbish collection and street repairs have rapidly worsened, and are now virtually non-existent. In May 2006 the Zimbabwean newspaper the "Financial Gazette", described the city in an editorial as a "sunshine city-turned-sewage farm". In 2009, Harare was voted to be the toughest city to live in according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's livability
The Avenues, Harare the suburb a somewhat built-up feel. This is broken up somewhat by the presence of parks; The Harare Gardens and Greenwood Park also by the wide tree lined avenues which colour the landscape lilac/purple every Sept/Oct when in full bloom. Also the Avenues has a sprinkling of restaurants, guest houses, lodges as well as Hotels e.g. Bronte and Holiday Inn. Also there is a good collection of pubs, clubs which are quite popular some trendy. On the other hand, the Avenues also has a seedy reputation for being a "Red Light District" esp along J.Chinamano, Fife Avenues. The Avenues, Harare