The CRJ is not bigger than the ERJ by a whole lot. You can't really tell the difference I guess unless you fly the CRJ900, that probably does feel different. And where it matters, in the cockpit, the ERJ is definitely better.

As far as a great starter, both the ERJ and CRJ were designed for low time pilots. So you can't go wrong either way. I find that the ERJ was a lot more fun to fly because the wing is a little more efficient, I think, than the CRJ. It was very maneuverable. For example, you can land an ERJ with just two flap settings vs the 4 to 5 on the CRJ. The CRJ however has a better EFIS system, a little more practical than the ERJs although anything the CRJ can do the ERJ can as well. Plus the ERJ does not have a set standard FMS like the CRJ does which was very annoying having to learn the different boxes. As far as the systems are basically the same, they were designed for low time pilots so there's nothing really to do other than to place switches in the auto position.

The tprops have older analog technologies so you might be able to say they are easier to fly but they probably require some sort of mechanical aptitude to understand them and they have less automation to help the pilot, although most have an AP and that's all you really need as far as automation goes.