Best IM for first timer?

closer to you home area the better.  The less stress and worry about travel and accomadations the better.

North Alabama and Middle Tennessee have many century rides, most of which take place on hilly terrain.  These are great ways to safely get in your long rides.  It’s not Wisconsin or Lake Placid, but it’s a start. Below is a link to our local cycling club, this link shows some of century rides in AL, GA, and TN.

It's a matter of personal preference as there are many things to take into consideration. I have yet to do an IM, but plan on making IMLP '08 my first. Proximity to home is really the main reason I chose it. Well, that and it's just an awesome race. While it's an 8-hour car ride for me, it's still a lot closer than the other IMs. It will afford me the opportunity to get up there once or twice in the months preceeding the race in order to ride the course, etc. Also, I get extremely stressed out before races (you remember my post in that other thread of yours, right?), so eliminating having to transport everything by plane and having 100% control over my travel, for the most part, will make things a lot easier on me. Finally, because it's within driving distance, it'll be a lot easier (cheaper) for some of my friends and family to spectate. Of course, my parents would go wherever I go to watch me race, but I have some other family that would like to watch but can't really afford the travel costs. I'll need all the support I can get.

I'm not 100% committed to IMLP, but am close to it.

"So, what is the best IM for a first timer?"

If you are Luc Van Lierde, Hawaii.  In 1996 he raced his first ever Ironman and won it...it was Hawaii nonetheless.  His 2:41 in his first ever marathon certainly helped him.

If you are not him, it all depends on your strengths and priorities.  Big Crowds? IM logo? Flat bike ride?  Beautiful scenery?  Close to home?  Time of year when you have time and weather to best train?  How long before the race do you want to commit? These are all factors to consider

True- but the ocean got pretty rough on the 2nd lap and we had a headwind for the first 1/2 of the bike.  It's flat, but you also have to worry about the possibility of having a rough swim and windy bike.  Both factors should be considered.