If the USA is your chosen route then its worth pointing out that you be careful where you do do you your PPL as regards weather.
I felt the additional cost was worth it as I flew in all types of weather some on the margins, which I doubt I would have done in the US.
Just to be able do fly in the UK's changeable weather and the busy airspace of the UK with confidence, has to worth the extra cost.
Despite popular conception, such as Whiteflyer, it is not all 30'c 356 day sun on the other side of the pond. This seems to be Florida weather, I did my IR in California and a vast majority of it was done in actual IMC. PPLs were grounded due to conditions and unable to fly, I would say they lost approx 4 days flying whilst I was there over 4 wks and also flights that were done in marginal weather.
I dare say if you moved inland towarsd Arizona/Nevada then weather would not be an issue again however not sure of which, if any, JAA schools lurk in these areas. The best known ones seem to be on the East coast with the odd one on the West.
J.