Hand fed lovebirds are realy friendly, there best kept single but sometimes both will still bond towards there fellow humans, lovebirds have a life span up to 15 years or a bit more, there very clean birds -- easy to take care of and don't make a mess .. there always awsome birds but please If you do choose one get it hand fed. There are also many breeds & colours of lovies to choose from.

Green Cheeks are small conures and there realy cute and there noise level is not very loud (Can get very loud at times), there is one thing about them tho .. they do have a reputation of being nippy birds, I have had one before and he did nip me sometimes but not always .. it's like sneezing you only do it once in a while lol. Green cheeks can be a bit messy with there food, like my green cheek used to throw his foot out of the cage lol.

Budgies are also another great starter bird, they can be taught to speak with time and knowledge, there small and there noise level is not anoying .. they can also be kept in groups but still they won't mind you picking them up & playing with them.

What ever the choice good luck!, a cockatiel does seem like a good choice for you .. I might even end up getting one my self lol.