Cody, what scope to buy is the biggest question of anyone here on this site and no matter how hard you try you may still not get it right. You may not need to spend all the money you have set aside to get the result you want and save if for upgrades later. The scope is not always the main cost factor here are a few pointers.
1. What do you want to image? Focal length is important here. A SCT9.25 is an F10 and has a small field of view and needs are focal reducer for most photography.
2. A lower focal length (usually reflectors) will give more field of view but may give coma in your images so you will require coma a corrector.
3. Refractors are great but a good one is worth a fair amount of money
4. No mater how you go you will need a guide scope and camera setup for guiding
5. You will need a camera. (Many types and prices here a cheap Canon DSLR is a good start)
6. Your mount will be required to carry all of this weight so it needs to be good my SCT9.25 and all its gear for AP weighs around 13kg.
7. You don't buy a Ferrari to learn to drive in.
These are some small tips and many more people here will give great advice listen to all learn as much as you can and make the decision that is best for you not us.
The telescope is not always the most expensive thing when looking at AP and $4000 dollars can get chewed up quick in this game, don't spend it all on the scope, and you may not always get the best bang for your buck buying everything new. (Check out the classifieds here)
Hope this helps a little
Carl