I only have a PPL, but I’m female and had a female instructor.
I learned to fly in California, which was cheaper than elsewhere because it has excellent weather most of the time, so the flight school could rent its planes far more hours per month than they might have elsewhere.
On the other hand, I probably have less actual IFR training than most who get a PPL elsewhere.
The point of getting a Class 1 medical ASAP is so you know in advance if there is a hidden problem that could cut short your dreams before you get out of the starting gate.