I've been in Brighton from September '09. Good places to live are probably Hanover, Kemptown (St James Street and surrounding areas), and then anywhere central (North or South Laines) and on the way to Hove (Western Rd) - but if you want more of a countryside existence then further a-field into the country is obviously for you.
Places to go nightlife wise (although this may not be an option if you're a family man) - Life probably has the consistently best weekend lineups in Brighton - over the last few months: Move D, Theo Parrish, Marcellus Pittmann, Channel One Soundsystem, The Heatwave, Butterz, etc etc.
As for pubs / eating places: Pompoko is a great little BYOB japanese restaurant on church st in town that is v cheap, the hobgoblin at the southern end of ldn road is good for boozing and v nice, cheapish thai food. two pubs that have kitchens by bbq shack who do legendary bbq'ed food (
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/24/jay-rayner-restaurants-bbq-shack) are worth a visit - worlds end on london road and the globe on ship street.
Sticky Mike's Frog Bar on Ship St and Green Door Store by the station have the best mix of good DJs, live music etc and 50% bar, 50% club vibes.
Other good places to eat: The Dorset is good pub grup, Pho is good street thai food as is Street Thai in Brighton Sq.
Can't think of much else generally. but ask some more specific q's and ill try to help.
