For a 'First AR" and for a young beginner, I'd have to second getting one from Wally World...The nice thing about the AR platform is that, if in the future, you decide you really like it, you can upgrade with individual parts as you can afford them...That's one of the reasons they are sometimes referred to as "Lego" rifles...
Bear in mind that most stock AR triggers are less than desirable, so an immediate upgrade to an aftermarket will probably be high on your list..
If you are used to shooting a bolt action, you will find that optimum accuracy shooting requires a couple of different changes in manner of holding it and obtaining your best cheek weld..For the most part, most ARs will keep up with most bolt actions in the accuracy area..
I would look for one that, at a minimum, has a removable carry handle, rather than a fixed one if you are planning to shoot with iron sights until you can afford a decent optic...If obtaining an optic is not a problem, then the model without a carry handle or front sight post is not even in consideration..
If, for some reason, you get a low cost one and decide it's just not for you, selling it and recovering most, if not all, of your money should not be much of a problem, but if you go high end or custom, it may present you with a future problem in the lost money area..