Fair warning, they have the same problem as rats... They live just long enough for you to get really attached to them. Lifespans are about 1 year for males, and up to 3 for females.
But, if you like them, you can always get a tarantula, which can live much longer.
Fair warning, they may not be "dangerous", but from the tarantula breeders I've talked to, some can "pack a whallop" which to me means painful as all fuck.