I've always liked the Jamis Aurora. It's listed as a touring/commuting bike, but probably out of your price range. It should give you a riding position halfway between the usual road bike and mountain bike setup. Also, you will get used to the riding position on a road bike, you just need patience and practice. Also, don't discount other frame materials. Other factors come into play comfort wise (which is relative to begin with) when looking at bikes.

Sometimes when looking for new bikes, you just have to be patient. It took me a few months of looking (in different areas), with multiple test rides, before I decided on one.