Enough said about low wings as trainers - Not the best choice.

If you are dying to build, then go for it, but if you are dying to fly, then RTF might be a good path. Save the building to the second plane when you know more.

I fly electrics and sailplanes, so I won't advise on a specific glow plane from personal experience. If you want to talk electrics or sailplanes, I can help you.

However, I will show you a route you might not have considered; Ready-to-fly. All built, all electronics installed and radio included. Nothing to suffer over. You focus on flying, not assembly. And, typically it costs you less to go this way.

NextStar is getting great review - Includes a flight stabilization system - $379:
If I was starting in glow with my first plane, based on all I read, this is the one I would get.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXEXK2**&P=ML

Tower Hobbies Trainer - $279 - RTF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXCXF4**&P=ML

Avistar Trainer - $269 - RTF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...=LXMU53**&P=ML

These are traditional trainers, set up as trainers. The NextStar has features the others don't have, like flight stabilization, stall inhibiting wing cuffs, air breaks to slow the plane down, ....

If I didn't have a radio systems and was looking to get into a Glow trainer for the first time, I would probably go to the NextStar.

Now the experienced glow guys can comment, but this is something you may not have known about.

If you are planing to go the ARF/kit route and plan to buy a radio, don't buy a standard radio. Go the few bucks more and get a computer radio. Here is why:
[link=http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=65]Don't buy a standard radio[/link]