Personally, if you could afford it, I'd go for a Black headed Python. Although they are an expensive initial buy, their care, and feeding isn't that much of a cost, compared to Burms, Retics, or AfRocks. They get large, yet manageable, and are incredibly gorgeous displays, as well as respectful captives.

Another animal would be the Coastal Carpet Python. They're very gorgeous in their own right, get to large, yet manageable sizes, and are for the most part, docile.

Blood Pythons are another great captive. If you put in the effort, and do your homework, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to keep them. They get to a large size, rather girthy, and feed readily. They are very nice looking animals out there, for decent prices as well.

True giant species to look at, and consider, are males of the giant species. Male Burmese Pythons do not get very large on average, come in attractive color morphs, and care is pretty straight-forward. The giant I would least recommend has to be the AfRock (African Rock Python, Python sebae). They are for very experienced keepers, only! Not to say if one put forth the effort, they couldn't care for one...but these giants are very dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced.