Not hard at all.
I have one airbrush with a conversion kit from 0.35mm needle to 0.5mm needle but that's so I can blow primer through it. However a 0.35mm needle is really all you need if a) you don't use primer (it's over rated imo) and b) if I do use primer now, I used Tamiya spray cans. they're easy peasy and give a great finish.
Cleaning is very easy. When in a "sitting" I'll empty the cup, use a few drops of cleaner and an old brush and give the cup a good clean. Tip that away and blow out what's left. A few more drops of cleaner and the the brush again. Tip that out, wipe the cup dry and blow out what's there. If what's coming out is clean, then I'm good to go for another paint. If not, rinse repeat. It sounds more arduous than it is. Literally a couple of minutes between changing paints and not a whole lot of cleaner used.
After a painting session, I'll strip the brush down and give it a good clean before storing away. Again, this sounds harder and more extreme than it really it. Once it's cleaned, I'll put some lube on the needle, a couple of drops (literally) of cleaner in the cup (it won't be visible by the time it gets to the bottom of the cup and into the feed section) and I'll store the brush until the next time.
I've had trouble with my compressors. I've bought "relatively" cheap and regretted each one. My latest acquisition (£85) is basically broken within a few months of purchase. I always use the philosophy that more expensive isn't always the best option and I've been wrong in every aspect of applying that philosophy for airbrushing. Pay the money and get a decent brush and compressor. Someone else will have to recommend a good compressor because I haven't found one yet.
I have a fume hood, but I seldom use it because of lots of reasons...too low in my current setup...too far away in my current setup...flexi hose doesn't go to an outside area anyway...makes my "painting area" even darker and harder to see...blah blah blah.
Also, I tend to do most of my modelling in the summer months where the light is good and that means I can open the doors to the garden and the windows. However, there have been times when I've not bothered and my wife has walked in and couldn't believe the stench (I didn't really notice it).
But I wouldn't argue against anyone that was telling you to get some sort of extraction system. I don't do alot of airbrushing at all...a few sessions a year. But I still feel you need to get one. You maybe don't need a hood if you're in a room that no-one else goes into and could just get a respirator...but I would say something is required and as you mentioned the basement, a hood with a filter would be a minimum option.
And some sort of eye protection would be recommended too.
Here's a video of cleaning the airbrush between paints
And here's one about stripping the airbrush down
