Yea I know that feeling. It is the same feeling I got when I first saw that my tax rate in Berlin was @ 42% and then realized that whatever remains has to go into paying for the rent anyway.
Add to that the absurd housing costs in, say, London, and things don't look too shabby for Berlin. Although you need to be tolerant towards the locals. I can understand some people having problems with that nonchalant "don't care if you care because, you know, I don't care" attitude that sometimes shows. But if you're capable of letting the occasional inflammatory/stupid remark slide, these guys and gals are quite nice. (Protip: This ability is great to have pretty much anywhere. Hanlon's Razor, anyone?)
To me, London is great to spend a few days of vacation. The atmosphere, the people, British humour, all great. Still, I never felt the urge to permanently move there to work. Too crowded, hard to get a decent flat... I guess it's not always just the money.
That is flat out wrong... If it wasn't for the sensitive information, I would have posted my own tax returns here for all to see.
Maybe you misunderstood your tax return?
And don't forget health insurance ... another smooth 20 percent off the result.