Hi Adam, as an owner of three scopes 60mm,20cm,40cm, I would concur with the 10"(25cm) Dob as your first scope,it gives great views, is not too expensive and if in the future you want to start into astro imaging you have something to sell as a starter in a quite expensive part of the Astronomy hobbie,or of course as a second scope for the great enjoyment of visual observing
Aperture is nearly always the way to go and with a 10" scope is a great starter
Cheers