I began playing guitar as an adult. I wish I would have started younger. To this day, it remains one of the most challenging and rewarding things I do. I wish younger me would have had that challenge.
My best advice is that a big part of learning how to play the guitar is learning how to practice. Sitting down and noodling around isn't really learning how to play. To learn how to play, you have to practice. Actual, efficient, structured practice every single day, even if it's just for 10 minutes doing chord changes or scales. Pick the guitar up, set a timer, and practice. You playing will progress as far as your commitment will take you.
I'm a supporter of actually taking lessons. Playing music is a social thing and human connection is a big part of it. They can get a bit pricey though. I'm also a big fan of JustinGuitar.com. As far as the foundations go, I think Justin does it as well as anyone. His beginner course book is like $20 and there is a YouTube video for nearly every section of the book. Take each lesson and spend two weeks with it, practicing it, and playing the accompanying songs (videos of these are also on YouTube and he also has a songbook). This and practice will take you a long way.
For equipment: Buy what you want to play. If you want to play electric, buy an electric. There is nothing wrong with the Squire Strat you posted. So many people started out on a similar guitar. My first guitar was a Strat. Even today, playing it is like putting on your favorite pair of jeans. Nice for beginners too, since Strats are typically strung with light, beginner-friendly .009-.042 strings. I've always found Fender necks, no matter what shape, to be quite comfortable as well.
It's always difficult walking into a Guitar Center when you're just starting out. Honestly, manufacturing and QC has come such a long way that a lot of the trash-can beginner guitars are history. Stick with a known name, even if it's a lower price version like a Squire or Epiphone, and you're most of the way there. As mentioned above, paying a tech to do a setup is money well spent. Also, I am never afraid of buying online from Sweetwater. Great company, great customer service, and their techs go over every single guitar they sell with a full inspection and setup. Here is a video Philip McKnight (another good source for gear info) did comparing a Squire Strat shipped direct from Fender and one from Sweetwater:
https://youtu.be/uk9R-aHpY8c
You'll hear all kinds of opinions on amps. If you can swing it, some of the more recent modeling amps are really good. Boss Katana, Fender Mustang GT, and Marshall Code can all be had for $200-250 and will stick with you for a long time. Nothing wrong with a good 'ol Fender Champion 20 for $100 either. Avoid any "micro" amps.
On top of that, get yourself a clip-on tuner, some picks (this is always a personal preference, but I'd recommend starting with a lighter/thinner pick), and an instrument cable.