Iphone 5- upgrading from quick messaging phone/worth money?

I've had quick messaging phones for most of my life.right now I'm using an LG G500 and I'm long overdue for an upgrade. I'm thinking about getting an iPhone 5 for my first smartphone but I've researched that with internet connection the plan costs over $80? Is it really worth it? Or should I just get another quick messaging phone. My mother would be paying the bill until I get a job again(quit because of school) and she says she's okay with it but I really don't know if i would want her to be spending the extra money unless its really worth it… :/

I'm 28 and I was like you at one point, I loved my full keyboard blackberry phone, but after going to an iPhone I instantly said to myself " what have I been doing all these years". I pay $70 a month for unlimited calls/text/4G speed data. I use data a lot but usually never use anymore then 2gigs a month. Their is a plan for $60, and another for $50 if you wanna save a few bucks. If you text a lot, and wanna use the net when you aren't home then an iPhone 5, or even the 4S are really great choices. Also there's a quick message app called "biteSMS" which makes replying super fast and easy.