Hi Sam,
Welcome to IceInSpace
If you have a limited budget, as you say, I would not recommend going down the Astrophotography "Driveway of Debt" , just yet at least.
Especially if you have youngsters that you would like to involve in the hobby.
Astrophotography equipment normally involves polar alignment and equatorial mountings. From my experience, nothing will discourage a newcomer more than trying to
observe through an equatorial mount.
My advice is to go with what you have heard, a Dobsonian, 8" or 10".
I lean towards the collapsible type (skywatcher). $600 or $900 respectivly.
If you have another lazy $900 you may consider the GoTo models.
Just my opinion (having not listened and tried almost every other system first myself)