Buying a set for a beginner?

Hello, golfit! Ive been lurking for about a year and i have a question. I joined my high school's golf team as a complete novice having never layed hands on a golf club before. I struggled learning the game through the fall semester and have now started to settle into my swing. My coach loaned me out some ancient clubs from the school and now that the season is over I've returned them. I'm hooked! I absolutely love golf even though I've yet to even break 120 and i have a junior membership at my local golf course with great benefits. I want to buy myself a set of clubs and have been looking around on globalgolf and similar sites. I'd rather buy a set of used, quality clubs than a brand new cheapy set that will have to be replaced eventually anyway.

My questions are as follows:

What's a reasonable amount to expect to spend? I put together a set (4-PW, SW, Driver, Putter, Bag) for around $500 on global golf. Is this In the ballpark? Should I be spending more or less?

How do I pick the right clubs? I've read up on loft, lie angles, shaft types, etc. And understand the mechanics of ball flight, but do I need to go and hit the clubs I have in mind? Does it even matter since I'm still so terrible? I basically tried to find a set of irons, driver, etc. that had good reviews and that are similar to what I've played with. I'm looking for forgiving clubs, but how do I pick from the thousands of options?

Thank you in advance, and if any of you are in the north Houston area I've been looking for a golf mentor and really just someone to play with and learn from.