Buy or Create my own Starter?

If you can purchase an established starter from a baker - why not?

Usually you can buy only dry sourdough extract in natural food stores (if any), and in that case I would definitely start my own starter. It's pretty easy to do, but takes some time to develop its taste.

Here in TFL you can find several examples how to go about it. I do it like this.

Happy baking,

Karin

I made my first sd using Dan Leoplard's method as outlined in 'The Handmade Loaf'. It worked like a charm and I had a vigorous starter going within a matter of a few days.   I had no clue what I was doing and didn't trust myself at all so, even though it worked really well, I bought some dry starter and used it once it arrived chucking out the one I had made….Oh ye of little faith….That was me and I can't believe I actually did that.

Once I realized that my starter had been just fine I started up another one and have been using it ever since.

Good Luck,

Janet

It's now a healthy three year old toddler that helps me make great bread! 

I used the pineapple juice method which I think is bullet proof for a newbie. 

If you would prefer an existing starter you can get a good one for free by searching for Carl Griffith's 1847 starter. I've used it in the past and still have some dried out that I could bring back as I like.