Good choice. I use to ride a all rigid Rockhopper that I used to commute it. Even did a mini tour on it. Those bikes make great beaters. Pretty much ideal beaters. Vintage Hard Rocks/Rockhoppers can be found everywhere for cheap and for road use, Even though they are overbuilt so even a gorilla could mangle that thing and it will still survive. I'd still put some framesaver inside the tubes though if you want it to last a few years. Water/moisture is steel's kryptonite and the New England winter's is going to treat that thing harshly.

I'm car free too and do the same thing by compensating the c-list sellers a few bucks for them to deliver it.