I started my tank with two Male Dwarf Gouramis. The colors are absolutely beautiful. They are very graceful swimmers, and very interesting to watch. It's been fairly easy to pick tankmates for them, and they've been a breeze to care for. They are even very tolerant of my 3 year old constantly trying to pet them, while tempting them with food.
My daughter has a Beta, and I just can't get into it. We're actually having problems with it after only a month (water conditions, fin rot, etc). I must say that I have had Betas before that lived for YEARS with no trouble at all. It seems the more complicated you make their tank, the more complicated it is to keep them alive. I've had them in bowls beneath suspended semi-aquatic plants that I just changed the water in twice a week that lived for years, and years with no trouble.
Seems when you add a filter and gravel, now you need to be careful of current, water temp, how much light they get, etc. Never had this much trouble with them just in a bowl on the dining room table.
I know people love Betas. No problem with that. I just noted my own personal (limited) experience with them. I don't intend to sound like I'm bashing Betas or their owners.