Yaesu/Vertex/Standard makes good gear. As Philip points out, you're in large part paying for the ability to transmit, but if you're interested in getting your ticket it could be a great idea.

Just my highly biased 2 cents - having a radio to hear what's going on can be very helpful, especially in an urban setting. Having a handheld radio transmitter can be a lifesaver, especially in a wilderness situation.