Illustrator was always clubbersome. I started learning graphic deisgn with it.
Flash was much faster when trying to create vector art.
Check out cartoonsmart tutorials and you will learn using flash as a pro.
Inkscape is good for free.
Also you do not have to rely on adobe cc model. Go to ebay and other sites and buy the old version for much less cost.
I am still using cs4 and they all work well.
New features are not that beneficial except smart objects in the whole adobe design family.
But Flash and Illustrator can beat down inkscape any day with quality they provide.
If you are a traditional artist you are going to use any software well, but for us who have learned drawing with mouse and pen tablets, we would like to stick with flash and illustrator. I haven't got the updated version of inkscape, let me check and see how better it has become.