Pattaya's got it all. Obviously the nightlife, restos, sea views, luxury (or not) condos, beaches, the islands.
But it covers a huge area encompassing every kind of environment. Suburbia or a more rural feel? The Darkside. Small Thai town, fishing village? Naklua. So a much greater variety of expat lives in Pattaya than you'd ever imagine from listening to the mongers, proctologists, whingers, and drivel here. Large numbers have nothing to do with the nightlife, never see it, and are quite contented with their lives, happy to live here BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
The convenience can't be overstated. Abundance of shopping, malls, easy access to the airport, schools, hospitals, dentists, facilities. Internet's great. Downtown circus day and night for your viewing pleasure.????
And Pattaya even has better weather than most other areas.
That's a start. Check it ALL out, the real Pattaya, not the virtual Pattaya of the forum and youtube.