Welcome to Pixalo Steve
You question is a bit like 'I want to travel around - what car shall I get'?
First you have to think about the type of camera - compact/bridge/dSLR if you want to go down the digital route.
At first you are likely to want some help from the camera, so you'll need one that has got different pre-sets for sport, landscape, portraits, night etc, plus some modes that will allow you to control the camera - Av, Tv, P and M.
At your price point shortlist some that have received good reviews and then go to a shop and hold them to see which feel better in your hands.
Cameras are very personal things. What feels good to one person will not be any good for another.
One thing is for sure - when you come to buy your second camera it will be a lot easier as you will then know what is important to you and what is not, so I would not rule out going secondhand for the first one.
I'm sure there will be other suggestions too, and while you are waiting have a look in our
Which Camera Should I Buy forum.