First of all, welcome!

Just my .02, but if I were in your situation I'd get the road bike. You'd be surprised how quickly you'll get used to it and why waste the money? At least that's what I'd say if it were me When we got our road bikes last Sept I hadn't been on one since I was a teenager (I'm now 43.) At first I was extremely wobbly, but truly it doesn't take long until you start feeling at home. If you have a subdivision you can practice there or take it to the school parking lot while school is out and practice there.