The only advice i can give you on starting out is this, it doesn't matter if one school is $50 more or less than the other school, If you pay that $50 more and have a great instructor willing to work with the student, deliver good pre-flight and post-flight briefs and have good delivery of lessons. You will find it might be $50 initially upfront but it will save you thousands in the long run.
Myself, I was very worried financially and I started at one place (still of similar price just closer to "home") which I learnt quickly wasn't working, motivation from the instructor and myself wasn't the same and I changed to a school at a large training airport which changed my whole opinion on the saving a quick buck as I saved more in the long run. I hope my career is also better off for the investment.