I'm also long time kit builder. Art, I know what you mean about relaxing, I do the same thing. It offers something to me unlike anything else.
In all years of learning(it's an ongoing process) the early years were tough, and I definately trashed a few kits. Then stumbled onto kits that I could really learn from.
Not every kit on the market is instant success. The manuals/plans have alot to do with successful building.
Goldberg kits started as one of the best, then GreatPlanes came out, and in my opinion is one of the best kits you can get for a first or second kit. Don't forget Sig, Midwest, TopFlite, and a few more I don't recall. Every one of these brands seemed to teach something. One of the keys is starting with a kit within your skill level.
What you'll see is each manufacturer has different procedures applied to thier own kits. After several different brands, you end up with skills that you can take to any kit.
I proudly own several ARF's as well, there are some very nice ones out. It used to be, the only way to a really nice plane was to build it. Now we can own some real nice stuff, and have our own touches put to it.
I think it's great, ARF's like that have opened up the hobby to so many more people that otherwise would not experience this cool hobby.
On top of that, some of those guys with ARF's can downright fly the heck out of them, as they are totally focused on the flying, and not as much on other things. I've always said...we can't be everything in the hobby, but pick a few things and get good at them, and there you have something.
It's all good clean fun, no matter how you look at it. No question about that.