Hi,
I found Arduino a very quick way to get started, and I still haven't outgrown the entry level UNO, its inside all my projects from RC Lap Timers, to Audino synths via Radio Controlled Cars.
The major plus points I have experienced are -
well supported libraries for interfacing with a wide range of hardware
easy and inexpensive to migrate to standalone circuits
And this very helpful forum
Duane B