Is the Grass Greener
Basically yes! really depends on your attitude, the company you work for and if you enjoy the job.
I am not ex RAF but since leaving the RN I spent 9 years in the North Sea, 18 years in the Middle East and I am now back in the North Sea on a SAR contract.
If you have the EASA licence a type rating course which if you are lucky the company you work for should supply you with then you will be okay. The money maybe better but the work can be harder. You don't get anything for nothing these days.
All in all I think you will enjoy civil aviation, there are always challenges to be met.
Fasted