[buescher]

You will get all kinds of advice! My short answer is buy quality used equipment if you can. Assuming you've outgrown binoculars:

If you're broke, get on craigslist and get a used 6" or 8" dobsonian.

If you have the budget, my advice is to get on craigslist and look for a used name brand telescope with at least 6" of aperture and an equatorial or computerized fork mount, and a pile of eyepieces and other accessories. This will probably be a Celestron 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain (there are a number of models, and there have been even more) and will cost $500-$2000 depending on its age, condition, accesories, etc. Yes, new ones more or less land in that range but expect to get a good deal on the bundle of accessories. It's not what I chose, but they're popular because they're at a sweet spot of portability and versatility.

There are many other options. I like the approach in the book Real Astronomy with Small Telescopes, but I live where it's usually cloudy and like to be able to bring a small telescope with me when I travel. https://www.amazon.com/Astronomy-Small-Telescopes-Step-Step/...