It doesn't matter if it's nikon or canon...what matters is "What is your objective in photography". Is it landscape photography? Portraiture? Macro? Sports or Outdoor activities? If you can tell which of those is your path, then it would be easier to give suggestion. Landscape photograpy needs a wide angle lens, 17-85mm with IS USM for Canon or the like in Nikon is the best choice for amateurs. Portraiture under low light, get a Prime 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 if you have the budget. It will give you those "magazine" look of photography where the subject is in focus while the background is in blur. Macro, go for 100mm Macro f/2.8 to get that close up picture of the flower. Sports or outdoor, a 70-200mm f/4 or the "L" will give you the "professional look", which is also a great walk-around lens. Photography is not about asking people what to buy in general...it's about asking yourself what you want to pursue, and ask people more info about it.

just my 2 cents...

It's not because things are difficult that we don't dare, it's because we don't dare that makes things difficult!