Yes, Photoshop Elements is a little bit more expensive than some of the other image editors out there. However, I've been using it since Adobe first came out with it. Now I find it to be almost indispensible. PSEII has taken all the good and easy-to-use functions from its bigger brother, Adobe Photoshop, and packaged them very nicely, IMO.

Seeing as you have a little Adobe background already, I see PSEII as a good value for the $85 (maybe better if an upgrade?) or so it would cost you to get it. Just my .02.