if you already have a G3.5 then the nextar arf isn't a bad way to go, then get a OS 46 AX its a great engine and will do for at least a couple of planes as you progress as well as a advanced radio, lets say a 6or7channel so you don't have to upgrade as you become more proficent it will cost the same as the ready to fly plane and you will end up with better components in the long run.
I found the NEXTAR to be a easy plane to learn with, its a stable plane, and lands easy when you get close to the ground just cut the power, and it will float right in.
if your flying already, then you don't need the brakes and droops,after I got boored with the trainer I turned it into a float plane which I will be maidening in a week at the lake our club flys at for float flying.
the thing I liked about the NEXTAR was that it looked like a actual plane not a flying box like so many other planes the hardest thing about flying glow without help ie;is knowing how to tune your engine, and recovering from trouble when you get into it.

the sim is a huge help for me, without it I wouldn't be flying the planes I do today.
if you can find a club thats close enough to go to a couple of times, then you can get some trimming help and you get to meet other flyers that may live closer to you than you think.
the first flights are the tricky ones getting the plane to fly strait and level,having a knowedgable pilot looking your plane over for the first time out is a major benifit of having a club memebership,even if your not a memeber of a particular club there are alot of clubs that will give you a hand for the first timer, after that, you will have a much easyer time of it.
the benifit of a cub is all the great help they can provide its the little things that can kill a plane.
things that our obvious for the advanced pilot a beginner might miss,after about 5 flights I soloed my NEXTAR thanks to some help from my club members I also crashed the plane which does happen even with help.