The instrument I've used for starting is an electric.  I have to admit that sometimes when I try to get a certain sound from it, I don't know if it is me or the instrument when the sound just isn't quite what I was trying for.  But on the other hand, since it has very little acoustic volume to it, I can play it at 3 AM without bothering anyone. LOL

With almost any instrument, the acoustic and electric versions are in some ways almost different instruments.  Certain things will work well on one that will not work so well on the other.  Even an acoustic instrument that is "electrified" by adding a pickup will not sound exactly the same as it sounds un-amplified.  No amount of effects or eq will make one sound exactly like the other to the discerning ear.  The key is whether it will get it close enough for the player and the audience/listeners. 

A nice acoustic instrument with a good quality pickup is probably the best of both worlds, except for the ability to practice at any hour that the "silent" type of electrics have.  They aren't really silent, obviously, but they are quiet enough to not usually wake sleeping neighbors or room-mates.

Even better in my opinion would be to own both an acoustic and an electric (non-acoustic or "silent" type), but a nice acoustic instrument with a good pickup is probably about the best compromise that can be managed in a single instrument.  You can't really go far wrong with that choice.

I made the choice for an electric instrument even though acoustic ones were available at similar and lower prices.  I chose the way I did because I wanted to be able to record even in a very noisy environment without picking up background sounds, and wanted to be able to play late at night while the rest of the household sleeps.  It has been good for that, and I don't regret the choice.  For me personally, the pluses outweigh the minuses.  But an acoustic violin is still definitely on my want list, it just wasn't the first priority for me personally.  When I do eventually get one, the sad fact will be that I won't be able to play it without considering the time of day, and won't be able to record it when the house is noisy (even a piezo pickup on an acoustic violin will pick up more sound from the room than an electric).  But then I will still have my electric for those times.

But I don't think many people buy both at once when starting, more often folks have to pick one or the other.  At least at first.  I personally don't think either way is a bad choice, though.  Just different.