I did my licence out at the "old" OBA in FL - loved every minute of it - didn't have an issue flying back in the UK afterwards - a couple of hours checkout from the local club and I was good to go. But it is NOT a holiday, will take 4/5 weeks to ensure you get it done, do the exams BEFORE you go, (and maybe do 2-3 hours here just go get some basics down) and caveat emptor on the current crop of schools - do your research well before you go. I can't offer any advice as it was 5+ years since I did it, and at the time, it was far cheaper (<50%) due to the $/£ and also because I'm based at virtually the most expensive field in the UK.
Although economically it might not make much difference cost wise now, the benefits are consistent training over a short set period rather than once a week over 18 months, virtually no cancellations, no distractions (work/wife/girlfriend), and you're immersed in aviation - that's all you do every day while you're there. That's what sold it for me - after weeks of turning up for cancelled lessons, I headed stateside, got it done in 5 weeks with 10 hours hourbuilding at the end, with no issues). However the same is true for other places in the world, not the the US.
For "can do" attitude to aviation however, you cannot beat the US. Loads of excellent facilities, virtually no landing fees, flight following and weather info everywhere - it's fantastic.
(Also, unless you have done much research, as usual, don't pay up front. I paid on arrival with the school and incurred something like a 5-10% increase on the cost as a result, but I was happy to take that hit in order to eyeball the school/equipment and speak to the staff)
Bear in mind that it may be very worth while getting an FAA PPL while you're there in addition to the JAA/EASA one - it's just another exam and a skills test, and will give you a full US FAA which you can add things onto later (the very accessible IR for example). That's far better than a 61.75 licence based on your JAA/EASA PPL which you can't add things to in the same manner.
Had I known that I would have definately got both tickets when I was there rather than just the JAA one.
Last edited by Slopey; 1st June 2012 at 11:17.