Learn the lingo. It’s always the Palace Pier. Definitely NOT Brighton Pier to locals. (Picture: George-Standen/George-Standen)

It was no surprise to learn that the people of Brighton are the proudest in Britain when it comes to loving where they live.

I was born in Brighton and pay a rip-off rent and above average council tax because I revel every day in the joy of living in this eclectic haven by the sea.

And I’m not alone in being utterly proud of this barmy, brilliant Brighton (and Hove) we call home. Here’s why:

1. Anything goes

The people of Brighton are tolerant of everything except gluten.

Take a stroll down St James’s Street and no eyelids bat at the drag queens you see. You can go nude down at the naturist beach and frankly wear what you like elsewhere in town.

There’s the woman in Hove who doesn’t go out without her parrot and tattoos are virtually obligatory for the kids. As for piercings? Who even notices them these days?

Nothing is shocking in Brighton. Except perhaps for someone wearing a suit and tie if they’re not going to court or a mod night out.

2. Proud about Pride

People take part in a parade, part of the Brighton Pride festival in Brighton, as the seaside city marked the 20th anniversary of its Pride celebrations today in typically flamboyant fashion as tens of thousands of people brought colour, noise and eccentricity to its streets. PA Wire/Press Association Images
(Picture: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

As the home of the ‘dirty weekend’, sex is what Brighton does best. And it doesn’t really matter what you like (as long as it’s legal, obviously).

Gay, straight, both, multiple, regular or frequent. It’s all good.

And even the football fans get in on it. The Albion are often treated to a little ribbing about Brighton’s gay reputation from away fans. They wait until the tourists get it off their chest before replying in full voice: ‘you’re too ugly to be gay.’

As Brighton’s unofficial Poet Laureate Terry Garoghan so rightly said: ‘Everyone sleeps with everyone but there’s nowhere to park your car.’

3. Those Brighton characters

For more than two centuries Brighton has attracted, and celebrated, a wonderful selection of oddballs and eccentrics.

The Great Omani leapt from the West Pier in the 1960s to roaring crowds. Disco Pete is a local hero pushing 80 and often to be seen dancing to the beats in his head all over town.

Almost everyone is annoyed by the Birdman selling his bird call toys, but the city wouldn’t be the same without him.

Back in the day the Posh Man would direct the traffic in blazer, boater and bow tie with stylish aplomb. And the Black Widow is still to be seen stalking the streets dressed with sinister elegance.

And the Zombies come out in force every year too.

4. Godless with added Jedis

Brighton is awash with spirituality. Grab a crystal in the North Laine or take a palm reading or tarot by the Pier. But Brighton doesn’t do god. It’s a city without a cathedral, after all.

Second only to Norwich, 42.4% of citizens said they have no religion in the 2011 census. But 1% said they were Jedis.

That’s by far the highest Jedi population in the country. Which is nice.

5. A city by the sea

People flock to the beach in Brighton, East Sussex as temperatures soar across the country. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday July 17, 2014. Photo credit should read: Chris Ison/PA Wire
(Picture: Chris Ison/PA Wire)

Brighton and Hove is a city defined by its landscape. She sits between the glorious South Downs and the sea.

The pebble beach may not be to everyone’s tastes (personally I prefer it to sand) but life on the Sussex Riviera is fine.

It’s what brought our Patron Sinner, the Prince Regent (Later George IV), to an otherwise minor fishing town back in the 18th century: Brighton has a lovely climate and the sea breezes and sunshine are refreshing and a dip in the sea invigorates the most tired souls.

Never trust the Brightonian who doesn’t take a dip in the briny at least once a year.

6. The best night out in Britain

Clubs. Pubs. Bars. Restaurants. Brighton has it all. And if you’re skint you can always take a six pack down to the beach. Young or old, there are worse venues for a fumble than the beach after dark.

Growing up on Brighton you’re spoilt when it comes to fun. The exotic hordes of foreign language students that arrive every summer offer salacious opportunities to the local youngsters who could only otherwise dream of meeting such glam people from all around the world.

7. A university town no one wants to leave

Brighton has two universities. The problem is that students don’t want to leave when they graduate. The city has the best qualified bar tenders in the world as a result.

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