Hi,
I agree, get a sim. Pheonix is the current sim that is considered the best, but I have G3.5 and it is excellent too. If you do decide to go with a Real Flight sim I would suggest G3.5 if you can get it for two reasons, one-it will be cheaper now G4 is out, and two- you can download loads of free models from Knifeedge's website. There are some for G4, but G4 won't work with models made for G2 and G3.5 and there are loads of these. (this is info I have read online, I can not confirm that G4 won't open G3.5 models)
Both Pheonix and G3.5 give you a virtual instructor to teach you how to fly both helis and planes. Excellent feature.
These sims are so good that top heli pilots use them to practise their moves before doing them on the real heli, and to get stick time when the weather is bad. They really are that good.
As techrtr said you don't get the "I'm flying an expensive model that I really don't want to crash" nerves that hold us all back to some degree, but on the up side, you get a reset button for when the worse happens. That happens a lot at the beginning.
Welcome to the madness, enjoy.