Well it just so happens that you are pretty close to where I purchased my transceiver:
www.avionicswest.com I would suggest that if you are taking up flying that a transceiver is the way to go, it's amazing how often a transciever as apposed to a receiver comes in handy. As Whiskey Kilo Wanderer says, it's a back up if the comms fail on the airplane. As far as the type, go for the most expensive you can afford. I purchased the Icom IC-A22 which is a first class piece of kit but now superceeded I think!