Another consideration is acoustic vs. electric and you can hear plenty of pros and cons both ways.
Guitar Center also a few good reasonably priced starter packs that will set you up with your guitar, amp, gig bag, tuner, etc for $200-$300.
I started with a Fender starter pack and still play it almost daily and I have also added an epiphone SG-310 to my collection.
It seems once you get started, for some reason, one guitar is never enough.
Mike