It hasn't got anything to do with JAA or not. It's just different in Europe in general.
The market is basically closed, it's who you know and not what you know.
On the other hand, for various reasons you fly a lot less in Europe than say the USA. Yes, the pay is much better but the cost of living is also very high.
The way of living is different, for me the standard is just higher here. So I like the UK. Glad to be here.