i'd choose a C-type language over a BASIC language any day. Not only are there performance differences but c syntax is just nicer to read, in my opinion. My biggest problem with BASIC is that it doesn't use traditional code blocks or semi-colons at the end of statements.

Most languages share common features though, so whatever language you start out in, it's usually quite easy to switch. I personally started on VB 2005, then c-script, then lite-c, C# and C++.