Don’t over look gliding. I started gliding as a cheap alternative to powered flying & came to love it before the finances+time of buying & doing up a house + eyesight issues put a stop to it (for now). Gliding hours also count towards a ppl, though not nearly as much as they used to.

Nothing quite like being airbourne in a glider, just the airframe with pressure driven instruments, no power or electrics what so ever & your skill to keep you aloft. Unfortunately you may come to regard engines as noisy, vibration generators that block your view & have the potential to go wrong.

Due to the emphasis on the club environment you’ll get to know people as you help out on the airfield with launching, ground handling etc followed by the bar (optional). Who knows what opportunities in aviation you might find with a bit of networking !

I thoroughly recommend it, though if time is a bit tight at weekends it might be worthwhile getting on a week long course to get to solo standard. Not mega expensive & most clubs run them now & again.