I think it would be a fine place to start the hobby. It will give you a chance to see if it's what you want to persue. The good thing is that it includes everything you need to start flying and has replaceable parts. When you buy a larger balsa kit sometimes the accessories needed are a beat down for the beginner and costs a lot more.
It's a park flyer which means you aren't as limited in where you fly it.
If I had a nephew who wanted to get into this sport I would probably start him out with it or something similar.
Once I saw if he really liked it as a hobby he wanted to stay in then the investment could be made in other flight gear.
I started kind of like this with a glider, then build a kit, got some free-bee hand me downs, and took it slow and I think this is what he wants you to do.
I think to get into gas is around $500 for flight gear, plane, radio, fuel, and building materials (although it seems like I spent more than that).
When you're ready to move up, maybe next year, then get an ARF with the radio as a package.
Just have fun![8D]