Welcome to RC!!!   RCU is a great site. 
I realize that to get flying ASAP you will probably by an ARF (almost ready to fly) model.  I personally have never bought an ARF but I realize for someone new it is probably the way to go.  I just want to give you something else to consider.  After you have bought your first model and are flying regularly, think about buying a kit you have to build.  There are several kits of models that are easy to build and fly.  The building of kits,and eventually scratch building, is a part of the hobby that is very rewarding.  Some folks dont care anything at all about building there own.  Some folks dont have the time.  But if you have an ARF that you are flying, then maybe you can take a few hours a week to  build your own while you are building your flying skills with the ARF.  I personally really get a kick out of flying a model that I built.  Just something for a newbie to consider for the long haul.  </p>