Hi Hukah,
I am no expert here to help out mechanically, but I do ride a bit and have usually ridden single speed steel balloon tire bikes until recently. I got a Nexus 3 speed hub bike a few months ago and love having a lower gear for hills and into the wind, etc. I just got a Nexus 7 speed on a new bike I am working on, but I rode it before taking it apart and the gearing is going to really help this old guy as well as make it more enjoyable to cruise. Sounds like you are on the right track and getting some good advice here from Superman1984.