What should i do with my hair? PLZ READ!?

First off my hair is just naturally atrocious. It's really wavy and puffy and everyone who's felt it said it felt like wires! When I straighten it, it looks at times decent and at other times it still looks crap. But I've always wanted long hair and everytime I grow it about shoulder length I just get so fed up with it looking like it is I just go to get it cut. Short hair just isn't my style however and people say that they prefer the long, scruffy hair I had before. Will my hair look any better as it grows even longer? Or what do you suggest I do?