Martial Arts advice

I think the one clear thing is that no one seems to agree:)
i think the key thing in preparing you for a 'street situation' is being able to deal with being hit. first time it happens it's a surprise and it bloody hurts. Getting over the shock of that is important .

That is the number one point, watching high graded people go in to a sparring competition for the first time and see their technique go to pot when someone is not standing still for them was quite funny.

I think Martial Arts effectiveness varies from person to person, some styles suit different people.
I did Judo and Ju-Jitsu for a few years, I picked Ju-Jitsu because it was the Martial Art style of Judo and found Wrist locks and pressure points pretty useful learning where to hit for best effect, the full on training of the Judo was great for getting used to being knocked about and fitness.

Mind you our instructor always said RLF was the best style [Run Like Fuck]

Having friends in to other styles I reckon Wing-chung and Boxing are pretty effective.