I picked up a D40 a few years back. The 18-55mm was pretty much my go-to lens for everyday use. If you're a beginner, the VR is very nice. I found it much more important with the zoom lens (55-200mm). I pretty much always have VR on though as I don't have the steadiest hands.
If you're thinking about getting the 18-200mm lens, just keep in mind what kind of photos you're taking. If you're going out with friends, that is a pretty massive lens to be hauling around.
Also, I recently picked up a Sigma 10-20mm wide angle for a trip and it was amazing for landscapes. It handled decently well at night as well. It could also do portraits in a pinch, but there will be a bit of distortion.
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