One thing I would suggest under the circumstances you mention is that you get an older (6 months old +) puppy or even an adult dog instead of a puppy, especially if this is your first dog.
You can check out the following sites for breed information and an idea about what living with a flat-coat retriever may be like for you.
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html
http://www.fcrsainc.org/ (The US national breed club)
http://www.flatcoated.ro/index.php?page=linkuri_utile (European clubs)
You can check out the following sites for breed information and an idea about what living with a flat-coat retriever may be like for you.
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html
http://www.fcrsainc.org/ (The US national breed club)
http://www.flatcoated.ro/index.php?page=linkuri_utile (European clubs)