Hi Hell warrior,
You might have asked what is better Coke or Pepsi. Only you know what will work for you.
I would suggest visiting a large train show where there will be layouts in N scale and HO scale. Study both sizes and see what you like. For the record, I’m in HO mostly because I have a bit of the shakes and N is too hard for me to deal with. BUT having said that with all due respect your friend is wrong about N scale and detail. Check out this thread from our favorite MC, M.C. Fujiwara. He works in N but many times the detail is so good you would think it was HO. Heck, I have jokingly teased that he was substituting 1:1 for scale models.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/212393.aspx
Good luck as well, Derek