Hey Topskier,
There's loads of info on these forums, I know what you mean about finding it all though - the search function on here can be a real pain in terms of relevancy. Personally I find searching the site using Google tends to obtain more relevant results (type "Site: pprune.org" [without the quotes or space] at the end of your search phrase, it'll limit it to only here). Of course then it doesn't order them well by date..
Stay around, read threads that interest you and you'll quickly find yourself learning a lot. Although I dread to think how many hours (days, weeks?!) I've spent reading some useless stuff..
With regards to training abroad, you'll find a full range of opinions. It really comes down to what suits your circumstances the best. In terms of reliability of weather abroad - well, you can't really get much worse than the UK!
Just today there's a thread going about GBP/USD rates
(http://www.pprune.org/professional-pilot-training-includes-ground-studies/348607-falling-gbp-v-usd-affecting-your-plans.html), which mentions South Africa being attractive due to their currency apparently falling even more than ours has.
Eikido asked about training in Iceland due to their exchange rate (
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...n-iceland.html). But I've absolutely no idea about that.. and no one has responded thus far. Would certainly bring a whole new personal meaning to the credit "freeze"!
Overall, like you I couldn't wait to get going and finally have - but we are in a reallllllly bad situation, so keep the day job, train over time and don't expect any jobs to come easily. But it does seem you're starting in a sensible way and thinking about training economically.. so a very good start
Best of luck to you.