I think time frame depends on your circumstances. When I went to the States to get my PPL I had lost my job thanks to the recession. I was there for 2 months, the course itself took about 2 days over a month. That was in 2009. To date I have just over 100hrs and 6 ATPL exams complete. At the end of this year I should be at the stage where I can start the CPL course, but won't be doing this till next year, ME/IR probably the year after so I am looking at about 4 years in total.
Be aware that things change a lot in just 2 years yet alone 4. You need to flexable, not to ridigid with your plans. If you think it will take a bit longer to complete someting (had this issue with ATPL exams), you need to accept it and get on with it no matter how frustating it is!