The best strategy is to go to the USA (everything flying-wise is cheaper and with less hassle, especially if you pick somewhere with decent weather) and do both an FAA PPL and a JAA PPL at the same time.
Any of the half a dozen JAA-capable schools should be able to do this. At least 90% of the training is the same, so it is highly cost- and time-effective, and you cover all bases: JAA for European reg planes, and the FAA one for basically the rest of the world.
Then, later, you can do the FAA IR to go on your FAA PPL, which enables you to fly N-reg planes worldwide IFR. The JAA version is 7 exams and a load of hassle.
I believe there is a school in southern California which can do this; the others are all in Florida and with "variable" reputations.