Generally anything considered light as far as weight is usually a busier bird. The only exception I have read is sometimes leghorns are easy going. Game breeds run around a lot and can be more scrappier.
What is the purpose of your birds? Are you looking for good egg production or just for pets that occasionally give you eggs? Some breeds like cochins are big friendly birds, or little friendly birds depending on which type you choose, but they don't lay much and will go broody often. You will need to have something set up to break hens that come from broody breeds.
There are many hatchery choice breeds that can work well for a first flock. Generally they are dual purpose breeds like Australorp, Orpingtons, rocks, and Sussex to name a few. An all bantam flock can be enjoyable too. I personally love my bantam cochins and d'uccle.
I personally would avoid game based breeds, and crested birds if you are a beginner. They can sometimes come with maintenance problems. Breeds that are colored red or some time Wyandotte seem to not handle close confinement well, and people experience more aggression problems with them, so how big an area you have will factor in. Some breeds need more exercise, both mentally and physically.
My very first flock I picked solely on looks about 30 years ago. What a mess that bunch was and I was happy to be rid of most. I kept some bantams around but got rid of all the standard breeds. It was my fault because I stuffed too many birds in too small of an area. I've definitely learned a lot since than. I wish there had been a website like this back than, but of course there wasn't, I don't think there was any websites 30 years ago.
RIR and Red Star. 
