Snakes make amazing pets. I have the sweetest Kingsnake ever, he's such a doll! I would highly encourage a small colubrid as a beginner reptile, especially a corn snake or one of many king snakes. A couple of the smaller boids make good beginner pets too. :D

Regarding live prey, you actually shouldn't feed live. It's dangerous for the snake. Mice and rats have very sharp teeth and claws and can do a ton of damage to a snake. Feeding frozen mice that have been thawed is much safer, and easier for most people to handle. The mice have been humanely euthanized that way too. Pluses for the snakes, and the mice!