I hate to be the one who chimes in here because 90% of those on the board have more dives and will most likely take shots at me but here goes....
Why didn't you just ask do you prefer "boxers or briefs?" It's Pepsi vs Coke.
The initial training boils down to who you like the most, feel more comfortable with and want to train with. Scuba training and sales is a very competitive industry, similar to flight instruction and sky diving. Actually, ask any group on a boat and you will find folks who do all 3 (not at once of course). Its really all about safety.
Do your own homework and don't make a decision based too much on someone elses advise and experiences because you are going to get mostly subjective opinion.
Visit the shops that are within the driving distance you accept and are willing to travel. Take a look at their facilities and meet and talk to their people both sales and instructors. Go by and watch a class in session. Do they teach day or night, what fits your schedule? Check out their boats if you can.
Although I am a low dive time diver, I have done business with every shop in the area for very specific reasons (inventory, knowledge, air/EAN, or just plain good 'ole folks, technical repair, and oh yeah, trust!, etc). Once you get certified, you will then begin learning to dive and developing you skills so that you determine where you limits are. Then once you buy your gear, you are going to want to establish a relationship with a shop and ultimately a person at that shop who you trust your life with. Thats the seriousness of this sport. Once mistake at 130 fsw and its bye bye.
Take the time to investigate. Their training facilities are all different in location, size and depth. Many offer swimming lessons too which makes the shop busy certain times of the day with children's classes. The Grimsley's offer a snorkle class which is very unique.
Talk to their people. Determine if you like the shop; if you like the sales people, the instructors. They all follow the same protocol for training, either SSI or PADI, specific class time and number of entry dive requirements but they all don't sale the same gear. Some are more tech oriented and others warm blue water oriented.
Your options in HR are: Grimsley's in Suffolk, Dive Quarters in VA Beach, Lynnhaven Dive Center in VA Beach and Underwater Adventures in Hampton.
I'll get off my soap box now.
Good Luck in your search. Get certified at a shop you like then find a good dive buddy like I did and go learn more but remember teaching safety is probably the number one element in scuba, my 6 year old daughter can suck off my octo in the shallow end of my pool, but I cannot teach her the necessary safety and backup planning at that age.
Oh, next comes choosing dive boat operators! I have opinions there too.
