to quote shtank "A few other pieces of advice: Make sure you have all the money you are going to need to complete training before your first lesson. For me, start to finish I spent $7500 but I was extremely lucky since I b"H got an amazing instructor and was able to do most of my training in one summer "
HE IS SO RIGHT! I love flying, and took lessons before i got married have around 40 hours but didnt quite get my licence yet. I spent over $5,000 and couldn't afford it anymore, now years later married, wife doesnt want me to finish lessons and its expensive, it pays to put aside money for the whole training in the beginning! In any case many many pilots fly cross country or use the plane to travel on vacations, it can be very enjoyable if you like aviation and the challenge, however as many people said, these small Cessna'a and Piper's do'nt move very fast so it can take a while, but it is SO WORTH IT, there is nothing like the peace and tranquility of being up in a small plane!
One correction: someone above mentioned Teterboro Airport, I took lessons out of there but that was in the late 90's,there are no flying schools there anymore,just Corporate Jet FBO's, if you are in the NY area, Caldwell airport (essex county airport) is great, or Morristown airport. Good luck!