So, I'm another who posted up thread querying the Florida option and travelling over there for a few weeks. Well I decided to just get on with it and get back into training at home (Berkshire) instead, after a long break.
It's immediately clear to me why people have the opinion that the best location to train is in the country you're likely to continue flying in. I'm already being challenged with the peculiarities of the UK in terms of weather, controlled airspace and terrain.
I'll be continuing here in the UK for sure.