The student trainer is new yes, so it doesn't have a lot of reviews. That said, Balsa USA is very well proven so there's no doubt in my mind that it's a good plane based solely on their reputation.

FWIW, I'll offer a couple of tidbits of experience for you. First, the club dues are worth it just to have a good flying area. You're going to need a nice flat runway, and you're going to need big open space. If the club field saves you one crash by giving you a flying area that's free from obstacles, it will have saved you money. And if a club member does your first pre-flight and maiden for you and works out problems with your plane before you start flying it (and there is just able always something) the club fees will have paid for themselves a couple of times. And if you do get some training, either by appointment with an instructor or simply by having a guy take some time out of his flying day to help you, it's hard to calculate what that's worth. As for plane choice, this is a very well-traveled road, so there is no need to try and be unique. I'm going to suggest an ARF or a second hand trainer simply because trainers get beat up during the learning process. Have you second plane on the building board and get solo'ed on your trainer. Then sell the trainer to the next guy looking to learn and let your second airplane be the one you keep and still fly sometimes for fun. For second plane choices that are good in the wind, it's hard to beat an Ugly Stick or a Sig 4 Star. The Goldberg Tiger 2 is nice as well. All are old designs that are well-proven as "sport" planes. I even know a guy who trained on a 4 Star and did fine, as many have also done with Ugly Sticks.