Good Advice from jbayfan,
If he has been doing it for 25 years it must be good, I have met ZERO airline pilots that hate it!
if you really want to do it, you will, much cheaper in US, South Africa, Australia or Spain etc. Check out what you will have to do to convert to JAA (european license) if you want to fly commercially here. there are instructors jobs most of the time and its a great way to fly, but you'll never be rich!!!!
Plenty of reasearch smokie, but do get going with the PPL
Keep the questions coming