After spending the last few months visting about a dozen local flight schools/fbo's and even making a trip out to PHX to check out some of the bigger brothers out there I would say that my decision was made easy for me. The flight academies really gave me a sense that they are too big for themselves and really just pump those students out like another number. For example, after scheduling a tour a month in advance, upon arriving, they had no idea who I was or what I was there for. Then it was a rush to find someone to show me around. I wasn't really impressed at all. Personally after making those visits it really just wasn't for me at one of the factory schools. After calling at least a dozen local schools, only 2 of them actually returned my calls. I visited 6 of them and only found 1 that really matched up with my needs. The short of it, is that I am planning to pursue my aviation education at Horizon Aviation, which has two locations, both pretty much equidistant from where I live. (about 45 mins). They're located at KOWD and PVD. Now just have to get everything else lined up - ie. financing, medical, etc. Plus a variety of aircraft to learn in: 152's, 172's, 172RG, Seminole, Diamond DA-40 w/ G1000 to start with. Here's the place:
http://www.horizonaviation.com/