If you get the right software there's no need to move up to hardware. But you may like hardware better, and since you mentioned moving up to up later, I'd recommend getting cubase now (it's simple to use... a lot easier to sequence with than reason). Cubase can be used with external hardware as well as VST synths... with reason, you're stuck with what it comes with... no external additions are possible. Then get pro52 and some plugins and you'll be all set.

But this approach is more expensive than just getting reason which will suit you perfectly fine for now. When you want to move up to cubase, you can still use reason in conjunction with cubase.

I fully recommend learning how to make music with Reason first. Personally, I started messing around with eJay, and when I wanted to actually create a track, I got reason. It emulates real hardware very well (in terms of controlls) so when I baught my synth, keyboard, drum machine, etc, I actually knew how to use them pretty fast.