You can always upgrade to a Bernina. Start with something you can afford first. I don't know much about the different machines, but I believe in going to dealers and buying used machines. Think getting one that has lots of feet and all the extras. It is well worth it in the long run. You have lots of time to buy an expensive machine. I first used my mom's featherweight from when I was a teen until I was older. Then I started on a Viking which my daughter uses now. I used it for 14 years and it was the cheapest Viking they made at the time and I loved it. My daughter now loves it. I then went to a Viking Quilt Designer for 18 years before I bought a Bernina. So I had to go thru all the hoops to make it to a Bernina. And I loved all my machines along the way.