Ratton's great area for families- I think Eastbourne's got a lot going for it!
Obviously - everyone has opinions good and bad about places.
Good areas: Willingdon, Old Town, Meads, Upperton, old part of Hampden Park
Less good areas: Seaside, most Hampden Park, Roselands, Langley, Shinewater
Good things about Eastbourne: Towner Art Gallery - really excellent gallery, hosting the Turner prize later this year! (Also has a lovely small cinema). Two/three theatres - slightly 'regional' in standard but a good variety of programme. Lots of lovely walks with the Downs and the sea - long seaside promenade. Some quiet beaches if you know where. Some good schools, plenty of parks. All major supermarkets available and plenty of nice indie shops/cafes around 'little Chelsea' area. There's generally good housing stock - a lot of Victorian with good gardens etc.
Downsides of Eastbourne: there's not a lot of local industry so employment can be limited; some parts of town are not good at night with drunk/drugged up young people being the primary cause of issues. Bit of an 'older population' thing going on. Not very diverse (certainly, very white at least, even if fairly strong European contingent). Everything quite mainstream- you'll be hard pressed for many different types of cuisine, and may want to go to Brighton/Hastings/London for wider cultural / shopping opportunities.