welcome to TE!

I did kind of what you're suggesting, I bought an intermediate bike.
I didn't want to have a fancy bike that I hated to ride, so I bought something used on ebay and for the last year I have been learning to ride it.
(It's a Bianchi road bike)

Some people say; don't do that; buy the best bike you can buy now.

Come on in, get acquainted; and I promise a bunch of others will post soon and answer all your questions.