Brad,
You need to specify what you'll want to weld (metal thickness) and what your budget is and what kind of power you has access to (115v or 230v) at the house.
I'd recommend you get a 230v welder if you're going to buy just one welder.
Buy a brand name welder such as Lincoln, Hobart, or Miller. Stay away from chinese made welders. You'll have no resale value and lousy performance.
Spending more money for a good USA made welder will be much easier to get parts for and will generally work better. There are many factors that affect the quality of the arc and they will all weld differently.
Many people end up buying a little 115v welder and quickly realize that it is not going to weld much more than 1/8" steel in a single pass. Better to spend a little extra now for a 230v welder and not have to outgrow it soon.
Unless you have a big budget and/or time to shop for a used welder... I'd recommend a Hobart Handler 187. This is a 180 amp 230v welder that is small and portable. What makes this welder so nice it the fact that it has a very nice choke design with lots of inductance which will produce a very nice, stable arc across all of the tap setting.
Here is a breakdown of cost.
Hobart Handler 187 from Toolking.. This is an "A" stock, factory refurb. $519 + 8 shipping.
Hobart 500525A Factory Reconditioned 187 Mig Welder "A" Stock - ToolKing.com
Cost of a 150CF cylinder filled with C25 gas (argon/co2 mix) will be $229 + tax at home depot.
Auto Darkening helmet. Black Miller Elite.. $217 delivered.
MILLER ELITE AUTO WELDING HELMET BLACK 216322 NEW - eBay (item 160205824847 end time Feb-11-08 21:56:22 PST)
You'll need to buy gloves, clamps, grinder, Mig wire, etc., I'd buy the gloves locally to make sure it will fit.
You can buy the Mig wires on fleabay for cheap from HTP. Be sure to buy .030 wire for HH 187. While you're at it, might as well buy some contact tips. You'll get free shipping.
2 10 lb Rolls ER70S-6 .030" Steel MIG Welding Wire - eBay (item 140202886491 end time Feb-13-08 19:00:00 PST)
Charles