ORIGINAL: rc46
Last weekend I did meet a group of great guys and girls at a local club that I'm thinking of joining. There is a guy at work who said that he would help me build a plane. I think my second plane will be one I build.
Good start finding a club. Learn to fly with an ARF trainer.
You're spot on with the idea of building a kit for the 2nd plane. Everyone needs to learn something about construction to most efficiently use ARFs. And if you find out you like kit building, you've just expanded your hobby two fold. Building a kit will also require some tools, the same ones you'll need when it comes time to repair whatever you're flying.
Good start.