New here... internal hub vs derailleur?

[maybeiloveyou]

Hey everyone! I'm new here and of course I've got some questions. I'm excited to get a bike for the first time in a long time and I want to be sure I'm getting the best one for my needs.

I've basically decided on an Electra Townie. I just don't know if I want a 3i (internal hub) or a 7D (derailleur).

I live in a coastal city with some moderate hills (most have a gradual incline). I don't think I'd be riding on hills for the most part. I just want a bike that I can use at the beach (80% of bike use) and for light stuff around town (<5mi roundtrip). I am not going to be using this bike for anything intense or be putting serious mileage on it.

I've read about the differences between an internal hub and a derailleur but I have NO CLUE which one is the best for me. The price difference between a 3i and a 7D is about $50. I'd rather pay $50 upfront if the 3i is going to be less maintenance (I don't want to have to fiddle with things constantly), but are 3 speeds enough for what I want to do? Do derailleurs really need a lot of maintenance?

Can anyone chime in on whether they prefer internal or derailleurs and why? Thanks for any help!