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.