Hi Tim,
The sim is the right place to start. jh4db536 above recommends the Reflec XTR, which is great. I have used it and like it a lot. At a very similar level, the Realflight G3 (which I own) is great. G2 might be available for less money, and it is also very good. Any one of these three would get you started.
I have flown a lot of different small electric helis (Piccolo ECO, Hirobo XRB, Hummingbird, Esky 4ch) and my T-Rex. If you already have a heli capable transmitter (9C is awesome) and you work with a sim, I think that the T-rex (or x400) would be a very good place to start. My T-Rex crashes average under $20.
Vince