Lens for Nikon D3000? - 1

I recently purchased a Nikon D3000 which came with the 18-55mm lens. I'm new to photography and have been playing with my camera, learning about all of the functions and so forth. I would like to be able to zoom for event such as concerts, sporting events, vacations; times when I can't be close to the subject. I know that the next Nikkor lens would be the 55-200mm, however I'm wondering if this will be the best thing for what I'm looking to do. When reading the product descriptions of lenses I get a little lost being new to photography.

Indeed you are correct that the 55-200 would probably be the next step.
I believe Nikon is now coming out with a 55-300mm lens very soon and that might be something you want to look at.

Another consideration might be an 18-200. This lens will replace both the 18-55 and the 200. The advantage is no changing lenses for wide or zoom shots. The second advantage, the important one,
is to keep dust off of your sensor. Something to think about hey?

I would agree with jim.except for the fact about the dust. The d3000 has a dust removel system that keeps dust off the sensor. Make sure you have a vr lens. This would be very important if you r in a concert because of the low light!

I had heard more about Nikon AF-S DX VR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED Lens which is better for nikon D3000. Which is really good one.

*VR II Vibration Reduction technology provides a four-steps-faster shutter speed
*High-ratio, 11x zoom lens and 18-200mm focal range
*AF-S Silent Wave Motor provides fast quiet autofocusing, and M/A mode makes it easy to switch from auto to manual focus
*Delivers high-resolution and contrast, outstanding image quality, and fantastic photographic versatility
*Lens incorporates two ED glass and three aspheric lens elements

http://www.amazon.com/...002OXWR70/