Its is funny that this thread was started by an out of towner as i found a similar response from people on my most recent visit to the UK.
Those that no longer live in Brighton told me it was a shit hole and that i wouldn't even recognise it these days. "I hardly bother going any more" was oft...
This is the beauty of Brighton, it's contrast is core to its beauty. In many ways it is never more beautiful when grimy dirty and grim. Immense beauty can come from such conditions, think of the wonderful music that was born from hume in Manchester, the bronxs in new york, detroit and chicago as...