The advice to check with your club instructors is the best in the whole thread. To get into the hobby right and do it the cheapest way possible, pick your club first and meet the instructors. Some clubs have trainers that new guys can use, and if you're the friendly sort a deal may pop up on a beginner friendly setup. Your best chances of learning without wrecks will be with the planes that your instructors are comfortable with.

On cost: You don't have to spend $1000 a year to do this hobby, but you very quickly can. What kills so many people in this is thinking that the initial investment is all that is required. If you can, it would be smart before buying anything to sit down with your wife and work out an ongoing budget for hobby stuff. About $600 a year will keep you involved (including dues and fuel) if you don't want fancy stuff and are a good shopper for used items.