Best CNC solution for Getting Started

Hi,

I am a newbie and interested in purchasing a complete CNC milling
machine setup which includes the design software, CNC controls, etc
to get a completely automated hobbyist setup from the start. I will
be working with metal as well as wood and plastics. Typical projects
will be cutouts, slotting, drilling, engraving, and 3-D molds. While
I am going to use the machine and software only occasionally as a
hobbyist, I am willing to spend the bucks for the best and most
popular solutions for the hobbyist market. I would appreciate
your unabashed and totally biased :) opinions on:

1) What you recommend for the best complete solutions and the
typical prices of these solutions.
2) Links to online stores for these systems.
3) Most popular CAD programs (Windows PC based) and CNC Milling
machines used in the Hobbyist CNC community.

Thanks,
Steve