A good choice. The 172 is a solid, dependable, trainer / tourer that's pretty much idiot proof. It's the Ford Mondeo of the light aircraft world.
I would also recommend Bristol for the groundschool; their notes are superb and the instruction during the brush-up phase is superb.
Think carefully before training outside of the UK. Florida prices and weather may seem attractive, but I've met several people who were well behind the curve during IR training, largely because their PPL / CPL training had been abroad and they were unfamiliar with UK airspace and RT. One guy had trained in the US and managed to get a JAA CPL without ever having tracked an NDB, which cost him time and money when it came to the IR.