In the intrest of keeping the costs down
In that case, I think you can rule out the Fury.
I think almost every heli pilot dreams of owning and flying one of those dream machines. They are probably the best model helicopters in the world. If you can afford the initial purchase costs, fine, but then you have to fork out hundreds if you have a little bump. Plus, for a beginner, you will smash it, and you definitely don't want to smash a fury!
Would i be better off starting w/ a .30 size and moving up later?
Almost everyone goes this route. But over the last couple of years the 50's have became very popular and give you a performance similar to the sixties at not much more of a price than the 30's. The Raptor 50 V2 is my recommendation. Alot cheaper, but flies bloody brilliantly. It will take you right up to as good as you can get. But also is a good trainer being not much larger than the popular 30's. You really can't go wrong with it.
James