Which camera would be best?

I'd like a camera that will last me for a while but will also allow me to improve my skills and experiment more, since i'm still a beginner.
I'd like something i can take to places and capture really good quality photos with so if i have to pay a little extra i don't mind but i don't want somethinf completely professional with a huge price tag
i've looked at the nikon d90 and the canon 550D, i'm not sure which one would be better for me or if there are other cameras that would be better suited for me, so please leave me some tips and suggestions because i'd really appreciate it

I personally prefer canon, They are both good cameras, I would suggest to go in to a local camera shop and test a few out in your price range that way you can choose one that you feel comfortable with.

That is the best thing as there's no better of the two it will just come down to personal prefrence.

It will take you a good few years to out grow one of these cameras and by then you will have learnt enough to understand what you want in a camera

I have a D90 - its a great camera, even though it is getting to be 3 years old. But if I were to buy a new camera in that price range, I'd look to the D7000 which is it's replacement. The D7000 is absolutely the best camera today in the under $2.500 price range.

Since it has been discontinued, the D90 should be able to be found at a lower price. If you can get a good enough deal…

http://www.althephoto.com/cameras/d90.php

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a complete picture-taking machine, especially when you use it with its 18-135mm, f/3.5-5.6 IS optional kit lens. The latest Rebel features an LCD that you can swing out and position at a variety of angles, as well as full HD video recording, wireless flash control, a respectable continuous-shooting mode, and the same high-resolution sensor as its predecessor, the EOS Rebel T2i.