It's a pity this thread has descended to this level quite so quickly but I guess that should have been expected after TheSkiingPilot's dumb sounding and inflammatory comments.
The EASA licence vs FAA certificate question has been covered many times here and from the perspective of someone who has completed both I would simply say that although they are different, this is fairly meaningless as the two are not interchangeable so if you seek to operate in the U.S. you will require an FAA certificate and if you wish to fly in the E.U. you will need an EASA licence. I think both have their merits and recognised the benefits of each. The OP states he/she wants to fly for an airline so I'm discounting the option of flying 'N' registered aircraft around Europe. Don't choose where you live based on the relative complexity of achieving a qualification!
The airline industry in the U.S. is doing swell and in fact the only area where it is not performing right now is in it's ability to fill training courses with suitably qualified pilot applicants, particularly the regionals. Getting the 1500 hours necessary to reach the regionals though might be more of a problem now than it was a few years ago as despite DirtyProp's assertion that there are a 'huge amount of GA planes', there really aren't as many CFI jobs as there used to be in my opinion. Not necessarily a problem though as there are accredited airline affiliated courses run through a number of schools across the U.S. that you may be eligible for (as you must surely know as you mention Embry Riddle).
As far as standard of living is concerned, that is surely quite subjective and completely dependant on the OP's standard of living now. I've lived in Europe, Florida and California at various times (and in the U.S. in general for many years) and have to say that each is completely different. Personally, I found the standard of living higher in some parts of each of the states I lived compared to Europe (from where I came originally), but I never lived far from places where the standard of living was significantly lower either. There is an incredible amount of poverty in the U.S.A and anyone considering moving there from a place where social welfare is common (i.e. much of Western Europe) should be certain that you will not have to rely on social welfare if you are training or otherwise outside of employment for any period of time. I have been alarmed by the number of close U.S. colleagues I have known who have really struggled financially, don't have any health insurance, and have been foreclosed on or have been forced to downsize their family homes in recent years despite often managing to hold down a number of different jobs simultaneously to try to make ends meet (and these are pilots and other airline/aviation employees). These are not guys and girls flying for the majors although I've sure met a few who have been furloughed, lost their pensions etc. after many years of major airline experience. I got talking to the attendant in a gas station one afternoon who told me his previous type had been 757's and a bus driver with many years military transport and major airline experience behind him who had also been ferry pilot for the Boeing Co. Sometimes, what you find can be quite a contrast to what you might be lead to expect.
You could argue that standard of living and quality of life are intrinsically linked although I would say that in my case they were not. I have enjoyed a good standard of living in the U.S. but I found the quality was not so; I have enjoyed the company of many very good colleagues and made many friends but was far from family and lifelong friends from home. Many of the pastimes, experiences and food I enjoyed back home were simply not available in my new 'home' and despite feeling that I had acclimatised well, I never really felt entirely comfortable. This was something I apparently shared with other non-U.S. friends who had moved there. It is a very different place; a very good, exciting and beautiful land with friendly and welcoming people but just very different. Remember though, these are my personal thoughts based on my own experiences and the only way you will know is if you try it for yourself.
So good luck and enjoy your flying wherever you decide to go!
Last edited by Reverserbucket; 4th Sep 2015 at 14:21.