Hi im in the same boat as you are, looking for a flight school. I live in the Jacksonville area and I have vistied the ATP school. To be honest it wasnt for me. The guy seems more like a cars sells man (a bad one) than a flight instructor. They really didnt explain their program well other than give me 8,000 and will give you your license. If your going to come to jax to fly, ir recomend atlantic aviation, their is where i plan on going myself. Their are also two other flight schools at craig airport, such as steerling wings (i took my first flight class their) and north east or something like that. As far as room goes, you can look to spend around 300 for a studio.

Not to hijack your thread but i also meant to ask, what other paths can you do in order to build up hours other than cfi?