I doubt I can add much to the discussion about the "best" bees for a novice
but here's my 2 cents worth....
 
I'm pretty new to the business as well, but in one year established two
new hives with 2-lb packages of pure Italians as well as 3 hives of "wild"
bees, two of which were transported (hive and all) from local farmers and one
of which was a swarm I captured as they were settling into my outbuilding (had
to tear down the wall to get them out).  After all last summer (with an
admittedly poor local flower season in the fall) and winter, I can tell you
that the two Italian hives are doing great and all three "native" hives are
dead.  Can't say if that's due to parasites (possible...I never checked
them out), or old queens.  But I can say that the "pure" Italians were
notably gentler than the 3 'wild' hives.  No one in my area (upstate SC)
produced honey last fall, so I can't say anything about honey production
of Italians.  Probably are other relevant factors, but I'm definitely
pleased with Italians.