welcome, you have got a lot of good advice.
the best way is to go ahead and get with the local club and find the person who wants to train you.
talk to that person, find out what planes he/she like, look at radio's and talk to that person.
one big thing is, when you buy a radio, like a 6 ch. computer radio. You are stuck with using that radio, as you can't just switch the receivers for the plane with another Transmitters.
The local trainer maybe able to set you up with a good cheap used transmitter that will fill the bill until you get it figured out.

if you came to me I would offer you a transmitter for $20 and offer to buy it back for $20 when you figure out what better transmitter you want.
just my thoughts on it.

sticks