re: If you could choose any European country to live in, would you leave the US to do so?

Europe is cool as long as you have an American salary or work for a US multinational, other wise your living standards are going to plummet.

The jobs don't pay well, taxes are high, gasoline is twice the price, 20% to 25% VAT on all consumer goods. Living accomodations are pretty drab as far a space and appliances.

If you don't mind reducing your lifestyle it can be a nice change of pace, but it's meager living comparatively.

I lived in Hamburg and Rotterdam for almost 4 years combined after my father left Heidelberg.

The Dutch are weird and dull simultaneously and the Germans don't bathe daily. People always talk about the French and bad hygiene, but the Germans are just as bad if not worse.

If money or work were not an issue then Spain or Portugal would be the move. Both have lack luster economies though if you did need to work.