There’s a few hundred $$ of initial expense for the hives, equipment, and suit. Then, a nuc or package of bees is $150-$200 in my area. After that, there is definitely a learning curve. Totally worth it though. The best thing is to have a friend that has an established hive. If that’s not an option, most places have beekeeper clubs that meet regularly and have a wealth of information. The last resort, but the only good option for many people, is YouTube and some good books. “Beekeeping for Dummies” is actually pretty helpful. It will seem very overwhelming at first, but enjoy learning along the way. It’s a fun, not overly time consuming, and rewarding hobby.