help choosing a turn table

The technics is a good idea, but I always recommend Rega with a rega cartridge for newbies. You just bolt in the cartridge with their 3-point mount and then you don’t have to think about anything like alignment, rake angle, whatever.  If you don’t have a dealer, you will have to set the tracking force and antiskate, but that’s easy. 
the only thing is- do you have a stable place for it?  Get a half glass of water and put it where you plan to put the table and move around normally. If the water wobbles a lot, you really can’t put a turntable there. 

I would never recommend a used table for a newbie. You will have questions and you will need dealer support. I second the recommendation to buy from Gene Rubin.  He is great to deal with and will get back to you within the hour with any questions. He is also very fair if you want to trade in your equipment to upgrade. 

Rega is definitely not the best turntable, but it is the best for a first because it is basically set and forget, which is what you want when you’re starting out. Later on you can move to other things if you like. But not now. IMO.