WWW,
Sorry for being thick but what does this paragraph below mean? Surely someone who has experienced flying in the states and out of the local area will be a much better pilot for it!
"Trust me - if you train for your PPL in a local area, then consolidate your hours building in the same local area using a lot of IMC flying time in the process and THEN you take your CPL and IR *in the same local area* you will be quids in and streets ahead of those that did some in Florida, some more in their local flying club, a bit more at a commerical school away from home and finally an IR at a major FTO."
Thanks
Tarmach