Ditto Mr67Stang.  I have a preferance for internal combustion over electric.  And size matters.  I am 51 and my eyes are not that good these days so I buy big.  It is so much easier to tell a/c attitude on a larger model.  And you definatly want to check out those clubs and see if there are instructors.  Ultimatly electric or nitro is just a personal preferance. 
Ive never tried foam, but Ive done many repairs to balsa.