If you buy a decent instrument, the choice of electric or acoustic won't make much of a difference in how you initially learn to play. Electrics are usually a little easier to physically play, but they're really quite unless you plug into an amplifier. If you want to pull out the guitar and play so others can hear - especially if you sing while you play, consider getting an acoustic.
If you get an acoustic, I recommend going with a steel string for anyone who leans toward rock, pop or blues music. Nylon string (classical) guitars have a softer tone and wider necks than steel string, but they take less force to press the strings with your fingers.