I don't know if i can be of any help but i started in this hobby about 5/6 years ago,i didn't join a club and still fly on my own for the most part but i have now started to fly with someone else but not to often because of time and distance,but if i had to start again i wouldn't go for a small plane but something a little bit bigger like a hobbyking ANX floater/jet but i don't think they come RTF (ready to fly) but you can get a RTF SkySurfer which come with everything you will need and is only has a wing span of around 780mm plus it's only $70 plus postage of course.

If they don't it for you they sell planes like the Super Cub and Cessna but i'm not sure if they come RTF,they do sell cheap radios and receivers,the choice is up to you though and i tend to find you have more of a choice online than you will find in a hobby shop,i'm not knocking the LHS in anyway as i use mine when i can but it's just that online is a lot easier for me.

Good luck in finding what you want.