Really depends on how much you want to invest. I’ve got an accoustic mini Taylor that cost me about $600... It’s got a nice sound and the neck is a little narrower, which I like with easier chord transitions and such. But it doesn’t have quite the robust sound as a standard size guitar. Martin would be my preference if I were more than just a strumming novice.
I have a Fender strat also, but the lesser expensive type made in Mexico. It’s several hundred bucks cheaper than the USA models, but I personally can’t tell the difference in sound between the two.
Marty Schwartz via YouTube demos the cheaper Fender Strat in one of his older videos, and if it’s good enough for Marty - it’s more than sufficient for me. I’m sure you can find the clip on YouTube search if you’re interested.
I have a nice Yamaha keyboard that I’m playing around with at the moment, trying to learn piano. I just don’t devote enough time consistently to practice, and that’s what it’s all about with learning anything new.
There are a lot of talented people on YouTube who I aspire to be like musically, but making the time to practice is a lot easier said than done.
It’s great therapy though!