If you want a cross bike and you want one that will last a long time with a frame that is deservant to be upgrade then go to Bikes Direct and look at the Motobecane Fantom Cross Pro, it is a tad over your price range by only $200 though so it's not a huge reach. I mention this bike because for that money you get a titanium frame! Titanium won't rust like steel, corrode like aluminum, crack like carbon fiber, and won't smell bad in hot weather. See:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._pro_ti_xi.htm This is a lifetime bike, you can upgrade it anyway you feel fit as the years go by because the frame will still be good unlike a couple of different frame materials. That bike has the exact same frame as the more expensive titanium Cross Team offering, the only difference between the two is components, and the Sram Rival group used on the Pro isn't shabby stuff, but one could later upgrade as components fail to the next level in the Sram offerings. In addition that Pro bike has been highly favored in reviews, plus it has fender mounts and pannier rack braze on's on the rear, the bike comes with 700 x 35 tires which means those are the middle of the road tires, one could put on as high as a 37 and maybe as low as a 25 thus you could have a set of narrower faster tires and a set of cross or touring tires. It would be worth it in the long run to cough up the extra $200 to get a titanium bike.