Starter turntable and MM cartridge recommendations

You will get plenty of recommendations, but before they start it would be wise to see if they have a place to put it where it won't go off the rails when you walk by.  I recommend putting a half glass of water on the proposed place and if it wobbles significantly when you walk, I would look for someplace else.  The water should remain virtually still for best results.  That said, I think the Music Hall 5.3 is a good first table.  Comes pretty much set up with a decent enough cartridge.  A lot of people seem to like the Pioneer PLX-1000 direct drive.  It's about $700, but you will need a cartridge.  Maybe if you buy from one of the online dealers, they can mount a nice $300 cart in there for you and you'll be in business.  But don't overlook the placement issue.  

Sound advise chayro

@chayro, Thanks.  My daughter and her husband are new to this, so they will certainly benefit from your caution regarding placement.  We will take a look at the Music Hall 5.3.  BTW, I pulled my old Pioneer PL-51 direct drive out of storage where it has been since 1984.  It has some issues with hum and one channel seems dead, but I suppose it could be fixed.  Is it worth spending a few hundred on?  I understand there is an outfit that specializes in restoring these.