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I suggest the first choice of scope might very much depend on the levels of light pollution at each persons home location.
I live in an outer suburb of a regional town (Ballarat). On good nights LMC/SMC, Carina Neb, 47 Tuc etc etc are all naked eye objects.. When we go 'home' to the city (Brisbane) you see nothing of this..
I started with an 8" Dob when I returned to the hobby, but have since acquired an 81mm refractor.. both are deeply satisfying.. BUT even in my much-better-than-the city-skys I probably would have been less than impressed in the 3" refractor had been my first new scope and might have been less inspired to dive more into the hobby. Light grasp on showcase objects can't be underestimated when you are not experienced enough to chase the feint and obscure, and have not learned to appreciate the beauty of doubles and the subtlety of colour an APO will give you..
Since the OP says he lived in the city suburbs.. I've vote for light grasp.
Once he is hooked .. then look to expand into various interests and tastes..
Cheers.
Darren.
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