In Europe I think that camera is called the EOS 500D and there are newer versions I believe, so the camera is a couple of years old or so.
http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Can ... 500D.shtml
It's a pretty decent camera though and gets good reviews, I don't shoot Canon though so can't really comment... I would have expected it to be cheaper though given for what it sells for in the UK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-C ... 433&sr=8-1
My mate has one and he really likes it, but one thing to remember is that the lenses that come with the DSLR's are generally not great, but still will be much better than the compact and cameraphones you've been used to. The zoom range on the one you've picked will be nowhere near what you're used to on your compact and it will take some getting used, a better lens would be something like an 18-135 but that's going to make it much more expensive.
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-can ... s/p1519909
It's a sin to leave it in Auto mode though and you won't get the most out of it, so you should really invest a bit of time learning how to use it in Aperture priority mode at the very least.
If you're not prepared to learn aperture mode and the basics of the exposure triangle, then just buy a good compact and pocket the change imo... (I can teach people the basics of the exposure triangle in less than 30 mins normally, it's not hard)
Hope this helps.