I usually recomend a Chilean Rose Hair for a first T, but it kinda depends on what you want out of it. If you want to handle it, then a rosie is the way to go. They are big enough to feel like you're really holding something, are generally mellow, and rarely kick hairs. Now don't get me wrong , there are exceptions to this rule. One of the most evil minded spiders I had was a rose hair. But she was special. In many ways.

Now if all you want is a pretty spider to watch, Pink Toes( aviculera) are fun. They have great metallic coloring and climb around a more vertical habitat. They are very fast and pretty skittish, which is why I don't recomend you hold them. Both of these need pretty different habitats but are among the easiest to keep, don't need anything too special to keep them happy.

Hope this helps a bit and welcome to the addicting world of tarantulas

I hate rosehairs, G. rosea, have never met a nice one.

My personal favorite starters are pink toes, Avic. avicularia, as they have a funky gait, sticky toes, bright colors, & I prefer arboreals. I'd recommend starting with a subadult or adult, skip the sling stage. Can be found easy enough at most pet stores.

My other favorite starter is the chaco golden knee, G. pulchripes. They get fairly large (8") & are well known for calm natures. Easy to find online & youngsters are inexpensive, adult females can be a pretty penny.

Doesn't matter. They all burn the same way after you spray them with Aqua Net.

I agree with Niki about the G. rosea. I've never met a nice one either. Always get a threat display from them. So I might avoid those. Plus I think there are a lot better looking beginner Ts out there.

Some others that you may want to look at are some of the Brachypelmas. I would recommend the smithi or albopilosum. They are generally a good starter as well. Also, I feel the Avicularia versicolor is a good starter if you want to go arboreal. Just make sure to read up on their care requirements. They can be a little tricky, but not too bad. There temperment is usually pretty mellow.

Is it something you want to handle or display? Arboreal or terrestrial? Docile or aggresive?

There are so many good options out there. I think it all comes down to your comfort level. Keep us updated on what you decide!

I found one in my car the other day.

George, hush. 

    Rose hairs are cool, man. I think they're super underrated, and can make really amazing pets if properly kept. Terrestrial tarantulas, like the rose hairs, and the Brachypelma spp. require a relatively packed substrate (contrary to the popular belive that loose coco husk is optimal) - they hate allowing their feet to sink into the ground they're on. I didn't get a G. rosea until I was on tarantula #12, haha, so it was not my first choice as a spider. Mine is extremely docile, an excellent feeder (she'll feed from tongs, no problem), and is actually pretty active. I hear some people refer to Rosies as "pet rocks" - but, again, that's probably because their habitat isn't optimally set up.

     Now, I am personally a HUUUUUGE fan of avics. I have 5, and every single one of them is incredibly docile, and will crawl out of their habitat and up my arm every single time I open it, whether they're invited or not. They're beautiful to look at, varying degrees of blue and purple, black, deep reddish brown - they DON'T kick awful itchy hairs like many of the terrestrials do, and, though they're fast, they're generally easy to handle. You just have to keep a close eye on them. It's pretty funny to watch them hop between your hands if you hold them apart. Their husbandry isn't all that challenging either, it's just a matter of paying attention, removing the bolus, keeping them "moist" (but not TOO moist) - avics also spin pretty outrageous webs. 

    Again, it really depends on what you're looking for (to echo the sentiments of previous posters) - - there are some beautiful species out there that are relatively easy to care for, but will eat your face in a hot minute - ! Give us some more criteria, and we can give you a better idea where to start :-)   

::cough:: get a pink-toe ::cough:: 

I'd like something really beautiful, but also relatively handlable. 

...Avicularia versicolor :-)

Versicolor is the way to go 

My first T was a B. smithi and I love her to pieces but it really depends on what you are looking for.  I would recommend going to an expo and talking to a breeder.  I got mine from ArachnidsRVA (Monica and Aaron are amazing) and talked me through the whole thing.  They showed me a bunch of different options and let me hold a bunch before I decided.  I also recommend getting a copy of the "Tarantula Keepers Guide" because there is a lot of good information in there.  T's are pretty easy so it is just a question of what you are looking for in a spider.  I would definitely start with a New World spider because they are less agreesive but there are still a lot of options from there.  Are you looking for something on the bigger side? terrestrial or arboreal? coloration? etc.  

-Cay

Another uncommon but good choice would be a Pink Zebra Beauty (Eupalastrus campestratus) I had one and she was one of the most docile T's I've ever encountered, even more so than the Rosehairs I've had. I think Avicularia versicolor are a good choice too but they are arboreal so much quicker and will climb, so I'm not sure if I'd recommend one right off the bat unless you really think you'd enjoy one more than the slower terrestrial Ts. Mine never offered to bite but one of the 1st handling sessions she scurried up my arm and onto my back where I couldn't get her and my terrified-of-bugs fiance had to cup her off my back. Lol. Brazilian Blacks (Grammostola pulchra) are another good choice and are closely related to the Rosehair so if you want the same kind of temper but a different look, that's a good idea - they are a little bit pricier though. Mexican Red rumps (Brachypelma vagans) are also good beginner Ts. Good luck.

I don't know the latin but...we have a gold burst at work that is very mellow and shiny gold. I also like the red rump, pink toe and the rose hair.

Pink Zebra Beauties are great too - I would support that :-)    oh, and I ate my words last night - a bunch of people were over and wanted to "hold a spider", so naturally I went for Ruth Bader Ginsburg (my Rosie) - - immediate mad face (that's what we call the defensive posture in our house - "mad face" is marginally more comical) ...soooooo, a kind reminder that even the most docile of critters can become overwhelmed and temperamental. I also had my B. vagans out last night, and she didn't kick at me once - - sorta forgot how much I loved that fluff. I was going through all of my handleable spiders to try and give you better advice, haha. B. vagans are cool, so are the E. campestratus.  My GBB tried to kill me, don't get one of those ;-)

Again, like everyone says, it's really all up to what you want out of a spider. So, my short list - B. vagans, E. campestratus, A. versicolor - - in that order. The avics are marginally more challenging because they do tend to go "up", but, they have the benefit of not being hair-kickers. Let us know what you decide! And, if we can help you find somewhere to buy one :-)   ...ArachnidsRVA is awesome, I agree with Cay whole heartedly on that. 

Shellboa, gold burst are P. murinus, aka golden starburst tarantula/golden starbrust baboon tarantulas, aka OBT ("Orange Bitey Thing".) Assume if it's calm then it may be overly stressed. They tend to be ill tempered & their venom tends to cause muscle/chest cramps along with swelling.

Just didn't want you to be fooled by it's calmness

I love all things brachypelma!

George, all things brachypelma love you too!

Our first was a Mexican Red Knee from a sling, grew like a trojian, mellow enough to handle, and they are really pretty for a "beginner" T.

Interesting fact.... Mexican Red Knees are filmstars!  Due to their calm nature, size, and really striking colours they are often used as "that terrifying killer tarantula" in horror/action movies.  Imagine the hero tied down and here comes the "monster" spider walking across them.... often times a Red Knee.

You guys are all so helpful! Thank you! ^_^

Chlean Flames are like the most handelable tarantulas. I hear people recommending Chilean Rosehairs, but the thing about those is they go on feeding fasts and can have mood swings. They are by far the most common, but I prefer Chile flames and and Curlyhaired tarantula. Good luck!