I like the looks of this one: http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/10-frame-wbc-hive-steve-moye/

This looks nice.....simplicity is what I aim for but this system would make
it awkward to work the hive, taking the outer shell off and on,...not talking about building it. Go with something what's proven, the Langstroth works good...no need to re-invent the wheel.

Konrad

I agree with Konrad in that the outer shell isn't necessary> In fact I wonder what the reason is for having it. I assume looks? If you want to go the least expensive route, build a top bar (kenya)hive. You can google it and get lots of information

Stick with the standard Langstroth hive. It is what everybody is using. Everything you can buy is based on that setup.

Yeah go with a simple standard langstroth hive, it will the easiest for a begining beekeeper.

What would be the initial start up cost of beginning a bee hive hobby?

Start up cost would interest me, also. When I had the responsibility of young kids, getting set up seemed expensive, as there were too many demands on what money we had. That was a lifetime ago. Cannot imagine what it must cost, today. Great fun, and the honey was appreciated.
Did find a person anxious to sell his stuff, and those used boxes and extractor were dirt cheap compared to the ones a nearby provider would sell me. He supplied the local farmers with everything they wanted.