Yeh, sadly, it sounds like you will have the same issues that I have nowadays with nitro, I just have to go too far to run them because of the noise.

Electrics have a heavy initial investment, but lower running costs, and most of that stuff you only buy once. Here let me make your battery choices easier...

Get a pair of these... http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._4S1P_30C.html
And one of these... http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._GENUINE_.html

there is no cheaper way to get a pair of 4S batteries and a charger, and this stuff is perfectly adequate.

The charger will plug in the wall and charge the linked battery in about an hour.

Alternatively, if you want to save some shipping...

Charger... http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html
Unfortunately, I can't find a battery that I would call cheap at hobbypartz, but they do have a lot of batteries available. I suggest accepting some additional shipping cost ordering from hobbyking, as the batteries are that much cheaper. Being as budget is a real concern, I would say don't worry too much about finding 40C, 30C will do to start with, you can buy some more expensive batteries down the line.

By the way, don't worry about lipo fires, you have to really screw up good to start a fire. Good glitch-free range in my experience is between 50 and 100m depending on conditions.