Hello,
I am new in the cyber security field and I moved just from Germany to the US, but we have similar goals.
In my opinion Network+ was more difficult than Security+. For Net+ I had 3 minutes to check my answers, for Sec+ I had more time. Network+ was more difficult for me.
Pen Testing is an interesting field, we need a lot of knowledge. The required skills are very high. Network, servers, applications and web apps, IoT, mobile and wireless, python..... and much more. I to improve my English a lot, because social engineering and report writing is also a big part.
The field is so huge therefore we need a lot of time to gain the required knowledge. I guess I will need about 9 months to land a job as pen tester. I am studying 60 to 70 hours a week to reach this goal.
My path was:
10 years in IT as admin,
English, A+, Net+, Sec+, Server+, Splunk, CEH (just for HR and the DoD 8570), PTS
My path now:
English, Python, PTP and the new 2020 OSCP.
After taking the OSCP will try to get a job. OSCP is very hard (I need at least 400 hours) but it is still a "beginner" cert. Pen testing is very interesting but we have to learn new things every day.
I spend about $7500 in certs and books. Taking the CEH was a mistake, you learn not much except you study beyond the course and use the tools.
Pen Testers make a lot of money, but don't underestimate the required knowledge and the time to get it. It is insane 
You can watch youtube videos like the Zero to Hero path from The Cyber mentor to get an idea what you are doing. This i a 25 hour course for absolute beginners and only covers the basics in Network Pen testing.
I hope I could help you a bit. Be aware, that I am not an expert in this field. Maybe my path was not the best choice.