Awesome! Thank you all for the replies, very helpful. As for my area, all riding will be either sidewalk or asphalt. Very rare instance where I may need to cross a landscaped grassy area.

EDIT: I also forgot to mention, I have several bicycle specialty shops within a couple of miles of my apartment. I've not been to them yet, but I'm also not sure what I need to look for or ask about when I go. That's why I mentioned brands, everyone has a favorite sure, but there is always a few that stand out in quality no matter what kind of product you're looking for.