In addidiotn to the great advice allready given

If you're not into looks, and want a plane that can crash constantly and only break props and nylon bolts, think about getting a SPAD (Made out of sign plastic and parts you could find at a Home Depot). Check out www.kombat40.com You can also modify these far more easier as your flying ability increases to get more out of a cheap plane ( ie. flat wing, tail dragger, larger control surface) Also if you intend on teaching yourself, you'll have much better sucess if you get the computer sim and a SPAD (strong enough to survive novice errors) That said you can tell I'm a fan of learning on a SPAD.... It kills me to see a beginer crash their balsa trainers into splinters along with all the frustration with the hobby that comes with that (sadly I'm sure a number of people are driven off when they're learning when they destroy a plane.....it still hurts just as bad when you're an acomplished pilot, and even though the monetary loss is usually signifigantly higher, you're sure to just get another...) Anyhow moral is get a plane that crashes well to avoid beginer heart break.

Unfortunatly, You'll have to spend an arm and a leg to get a SPAD to fly electric so if you decide to go that route....I'd say a SPAD is out... As far as Glow or electric...You're right... electric is alot less hassle...and also out of my expertise..... So i'm not sure how the price comparisons are.....but I can tell ya... as you become a better flyer, it gets espensive to adequatly equip an electric preformance plane.... On another note.... It still brings back chilhood memories with my father and our first model planes (control line with cox .049's) smelling the castor burn (kinda cool some 25 years latter)...

My advice session is over... Get one of those planes from Kombat40.com, go glow, Stand firm on the SPAD even though some people say they fly like crap (even though I disagree, and even if they did they'll make you a better pilot because some of those trainers are just tooo docile).