If you want to know most of what I would've written, just re-read Cajun's post. There's not much he left unsaid.

As for whether to go recurve or longbow... Back in the day when compounds were built to be shot with a medium to high wrist, recurves were the thing to go to when first switching. The grip style was very similar. Nowadays, compounds are intended to be shot low wrist, like longbows.

MOST longbows are not centershot as much as recurves, so they are more demanding about having properly spined arrows. Recurves are more centershot, so they can handle a somewhat wider variety of arrow spines.

Now, there are some recurves that have longbow style grips and non-centershot risers, some longbows that have recurve style grips and centershot risers. There are takedown bows that can be fitted with either recurve or longbow limbs. It's very hard to say which is best for a starter.

Still, if I had to pick one type to start someone off, it'd be a takedown recurve. You can order limbs in heavier draw weights as your strength - or needs - develop. If you can get one that also has longbow limbs available..... Icing on the cake.