Welcome to BF! On the subject of shopping for a new bike... I’d also suggest two other ideas --- studying online bike catalogs and doing some window-shopping and info-gathering at local bike shops in the area where you live. New model year stuff will be hitting the street in the next couple/few months, so your timing is good for the possibility of finding an outgoing model year leftover at a “get it out of here” price. In addition to that, you’re going to end up picking a shop and dealing with them, so you might as well find out which are the better ones for your purposes (and which might best be avoided) and meet the people now. Google reviews on your local shops for additional insight. A good LBS should be able to match your size/build, budget and intended riding style/needs with an appropriate bike for you.
Good luck with the hunt!