Go for a Belt CP. Right @ $170ish.
Skip the whole tail motor thing.

I am learning on a CP heli- (EXI build up). Yes , there is more to the setup. but so far it has not been a problem.
I do not have a sim either. I put training gear on mine and just started trying to fly it. Took me about 2 weeks before I could hover for a whole battery. 1 month before the gear came off.