Turntable Recommendation for Beginner

If you can get your hands on a new or low-mileage Thorens TD-700 it is very nice for the price.It gets the basics right in a way the Music-Halls of the world do not. You get a substantial and gorgeous-looking thick acrylic platter, electronic speed switching between 33 and 45, a very precise hidden belt mechanisim with a nice motor, a decent tonearm and great sound. When funds permit, ditch the included cartrige (actually not bad) for an Ortofon Blue, and you have a killer package for not much money. It is a joy to use.

Just because the OP is a beginner to vinyl again doesn't mean he has to start out with a beginner turntable. I am new to vinyl after the same peroiod of time. I bought a VPI Superscoutmaster and Zesto Audio Andros, I couldn't be happier and don't have to go through endless upgrades.
The recommendation of the VPI Classic is a good one.

The Zesto has gotten wonderful reviews. I firmly believe that to get what vinyl really has to offer, you have to go to a certain threshold. Admittedly, I have not heard the recent small VPI or any number of others that are in the 2-3000 dollar ballpark. But, as you note, Moonguy, the phono stage is also important. I'd rather see somebody look for a used higher quality phono stage than buy a budget one, just to get in the door. At the price of the Zesto (and also, I gather the Fosgate has gotten a good reception, although i haven't heard it either), the price of entry for a very high quality phono stage is, if not cheap, more accessible.

I've got a used HW-19 III with a Premier FT3 that would be a nice table for a first timer. I was using it with an OC9ml (1) with good results. Always performed well.

I can tell you I just started getting into it and I'm pretty happy with my sota sapphire, and grado reference sonata. The table is easy to set up, and the cartridge is good out of the box and gets better with break in. If you go with the dl103 or most low output cartridges you need to keep in mind that they NEED their breakin time. The dl103 will need a Stepup device in addition to whatever preamp you go with (unless you get a klyne or something with a head amp built in). Moving iron and moving magnets go right into the preamp with no stepup device. They are completely different sounds in my experience. Most would likely go with the dl103, for the money it is hard if not impossible to beat. The vpi hw19 mk3 (with the armboard) is another great table though a little harder to find. I've heard nothing but great things about well tempered as well. Generally you will get close to what you spent when you sell the table and arm and preamp if you buy used and barring accidents. So look at those as investments.

Regards,
Bill