Any cross-rotational helicopter is probably your best bet for a beginner. (XRB and Megatech housefly come to mind).

If you'd rather go the cheaper and albeit more difficult route, you can get Walkera #4's for a real steal off ebay and various websites, but they take alot of patience to learn. The good thing is, they take a real beating when crashed, and fly well once you learn how to master their quick movements.