If I were to have my time again...
I would do hour building in the UK with a small beaten up old jalopy (cheap!) and make every second count...
Then do a SEIR in the UK (tick in box) or Spain (cheaper and tick in box)... I won't need ME and MEIR conversion until the job market starts to pick up.
Then I would do CPL in the UK, post IR only 15 hours min. (cheap and tick in box)...
Exam. time constraints covered.
Keep current with the money saved. USA is not cheap - ignore the money grabbing sirens wooing you across the pond.
Central England probably the best area - busy airspace with quick ratruns to open FIR; Cranfield would be good.
There is fun to be had - this process doesn't necessarily have to cost a fortune!