If you want to live outside the Windows world and leverage previous experience with VB you might want to take a look at Real Studio (until the latest version known as RealBasic). Just Google RealBasic, Real Studio, or Real Software. Plenty of info available. Not free but relatively inexpensive to get started with and can be you can develop apps in Linux, Windows, or Mac. Well supported both by the company and a long standing and extensive community.
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