Mostly non-printer-specific ideas/advice/etc:

As much as I detest those evil rentseekers at Autodesk, they have a legitimately awesome web-based 3D modelling program called Tinkercad. The learning curve is a lot more gentle than desktop 3D programs.

Gridfinity is a ton of fun. It’s an open standardized grid storage system. Get a bunch of 6x2mm magnets, they’re cheap in bulk. You can build out a nice custom easy-tool-access storage system for your work area. Just remember to make sure you’re using a consistent magnetic north/south arrangement! A jig will help.

If it has a profile for whatever printer you get, install Cura. Open source slicing software. It runs very fast even on budget hardware. I have a budget 11th-gen-i5 laptop with only 8GB RAM and Intel graphics, and Cura is still super-fast on this thing.

PLA filament is a pain in the ass to smooth. If you’re planning to print curved pieces and aesthetics are important (say, for cosplay stuff), you’re going to want to do sanding by hand, gradually working from coarse to fine grades, and maybe doing a clear coat at the end. Even relatively low-power powertools like dremels will heat the PLA and deform it.

PLA prints don’t like really hot ambient temperatures, like on the dashboard of an unattended car left in direct sunlight on a sunny summer day. Household temperatures would be fine though.

PLA is not food safe. I’d read up on the details of this if you’re planning on using PLA prints as kitchen decorations. Maybe give them a thorough polyurethane clear coat. And never let them contact food.

But those drawbacks aside, plain old 1.75mm PLA is the best type of filament to start with. It’s non-toxic, made from renewable material, incredibly cheap, easy to find, easy to handle, reasonably durable, works in pretty much every printer that takes filament, and is made by a ton of different manufacturers in every colour of the rainbow. Including “rainbow”.