Hi GvonSprout,
I´ve also researched a lot in advance before going to Spain. I was close to going to the US for the EASA PPL (there were around two places or so, prices seemed attractive) or to other countries.
In the end Spain was the best choice for me. Independently from the training also because I like Spain, the people, the language, the food and life there.
In Spain I talked to a student who has started training in one of the schools in the US that offer EASA PPL and made rather negative experience there and switched to Spain to finish.
Independently from the country, it really helped me having to fly in the CTR / controlled airspace from the beginning. It even makes me feel more safe.