Another important factor to consider in whether to go for a career in Area or Aerodrome is where and how you'd like to live.
In the UK, as far as Area goes there are now really only two locations - the South Coast somewhere commutable to/from Swanwick or the West Coast of Scotland somewhere commutable to/from Prestwick.
As far as Aerodrome goes, even just in NATS, there are many locations stretching from South Wales and the Avon area all the way to the east coast of Scotland, several with reasonable house prices, relatively uncluttered roads and a generally agreeable quality of life.