Think you need to decide on a couple of things 1st the main one being are you going to join a club and get an instructor or teach yourself ?????
If you can join a club it's better to get some help especially at the start, for various reasons it didn't suit my circumstances so am self taught as are many on here and it can be done.
If that's the route your going I'd go electric as you can fly them in most decent sized parks and look at the HobbyZone Supercub or the Multiplex Easystar or their new EasyCub BUT get a simulator 1st even if it's a cheapish E-Sky one as it'll save you a fortune in the long run whichever route you decide to take.
If you want to find a club close to you the BMFA website will point you in the right direction http://www.bmfa.org/ and if you ever go anywhere near the South Coast of England am always happy to help someone trying to get started in this hobby.