Python Development Enviorment
The answer to this question would be pretty subjective, but lets try.
Minimal requirements

Knowledge about Python (basics, idioms, language characteristics),
Some server solution (if you want to put it live; otherwise local development is possible without web server),

At that point you are already able to code. You can write your code in even the simplest text editor, so no need for an IDE.
Good to have

Good IDE with autocompletion and inspections (I recommend PyCharm, but any decent one would do),
Knowledge about how to install Python modules,

At that point you are more efficient with your coding and see some errors before you execute your code.
Best practices (not necessarily all at once)

Virtualenv,
Vagrant,
Configured web server ,atching the one that will serve your Python app,

At that point you should have clean and separate environments for every project. They should also resemble the target environment as much as possible.
List could probably be completed with more items, though.
I guess I am having a hard time understanding what is needed to start web development with Python. I am new to both web development and Python and I am having a hard time figuring out what really is needed for a "Python Development Environment. I have heard that I should use virtualenv for all my developing. Others say a good IDE. Some day a VM with all the tools you need. It all is a bit overwhelming. 
So from a Python developer standpoint. I ask what is the way to start. What do I need? What don't I need? Should I just get a good IDE or use a VM.