All of what the others have said is true, had got to the stage of loads and loads of flights without accident with my 4 channel trainer which I can roll, loop, cuban 8's, fly inverted with, thought I was ready to try my warbird again and still managed to take it home in a Bin Liner half way through my second battery and you're a long way from where I'm at !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm the same as you re clubs and it's easier for me to walk 1 minute down the road to a huge field and be home in 40 mins having had a good couple of batteries worth than take a whole afternoon at the weekend which the Mrs won't like and have been though the VERY painful learning curve / crashes that you can't avoid on your own. If you can join a club wil certainly save a lot of pain, it's also the missed flying time as all you'll be doing is putting them back together again which is frustrating in itself.
Another possible to start with if you go it alone is Hobbyzone Super Cub but also a simulator (and would do 20 hrs before any flight) will save you 10 times what it costs in the savings on accident damage.
Good luck !!!!!!!