On social issues average European and its country is way more conservative than average American. You're comparing economical standpoint here and I agree with that.
At great risk here, I have to say I agree based on my own experience. Often times people conflate government-funded systems like healthcare or taxpayer-funded university as being socially progressive. I wouldn't do that. You can have universal healthcare and ban gay marriage in your country, for example.
Universal healthcare, unemployment benefits, workers' rights, LGBTQ rights, prison policy, police behavior and control, social safety net, lack of religion in politics, free or extremely cheap education including higher education, and that's just off the top if my mind?
> ask any non-European person who has lived on both continents where he feels more welcome.
I gladly concede this, but this is just one element of social issues.
LGBT rights are definetly better off in America and then you listed a lot of economical issues that have very little to do with left or right in Europe. Matter of a fact in Eastern Europe the left wing economical policies are what is keeping socially Conservative people in power.
I really don't see how these are economical issues:
> Universal healthcare, unemployment benefits, workers' rights, LGBTQ rights, prison policy, police behavior and control, social safety net, lack of religion in politics, free or extremely cheap education including higher education
> Matter of a fact in Eastern Europe...
Thats why my first answer was: Certainly not Western Europe. My knowledge of Easter Europe is nonexistent, so I won't dare say anything about their circumstances.
