Hi Steph!
Welcome to a beautiful, fascinating universe.
You may well get a hundred different answers to a simple question but here is my advice
Get a good guide book/star chart and learn your way round the sky with the naked eye, coupled with a pair of 10x50 binoculars. I (and every astronomer I have known) still uses a pair, every observing session.
Also, join your local astronomy club and have a look through their telescopes, reflectors and refractors, lift them, and have a feel of what you would be happier using.
A nice line I was told is "The best telescope for you is the one you will use"..
Have you considered a 8 or 10" dobsonian? Easy to use, superb views.
Whatever you choose, just enjoy it Steph.
Stu