When you say new to flying, do you mean you have never flown before? Or have really limited experience?

If this is a case I wouldnt start out with a foamy. You are going to have a really hard time learning to fly with these planes.
Even with low rates they still fly just like foamaholic said, they go where you point them, as a new flyer that is often not where you intended to point them. And they are pretty durable for hard landings and stuff, but if you dork one in nose 1st or on a wingtip its going to shatter or at least break apart, they do not bounce.

Foamies are unforgiving in flight as are all symmetrical winged planes. I teach new pilots at our club and there is NO WAY I would traumatize a new guy by handing them any symmetrical wing plane of any kind to actually learn to fly with.

Start out with a plane that is made to train, whether electric or some other form of power supply. Once you learn to fly it and the controls become somewhat second nature, which may only take a week, then move on to something else like a foamie. But please dont try to learn to fly with a foamie, especially not by yourself, you will only end up frustrated and disappointed unless you are an RC prodigy.

Now if you can already takeoff, fly and land a trainer, sure. A foamy on low rates would be a blast. Just be sure it is built right, if the CG is off even a little off you may end up losing it as soon as it leaves the ground. They are highly aerobatic and move REALLY quickly even with small throw rates.