Mate, I did all my ratings in the states a few years ago before returning home. Most of the guys that I trained with are all right seat in something decent.
My advice would be head over (providing you can work), then get an instructors rating with a school that does alot of flying. Try ALLATP, they do alot of multi training and you can get an FAA ATPL pretty easily with them.
You will not make a fortune in the first year or so but you will be able to keep the logbook ticking over plus a few beers on the weekends.
From what I hear it is picking up over there.