I was looking at cyclocross bikes last year but ended up getting a touring bike instead. The selection of cross bikes wasn't very good, most were geared at racing and the few I tried just didn't feel right. At one store's miniscule indoor oval I kept hitting the front tire with my toe (not a test ride indicitive of every day use). I was also concerned since I bought the bike specifically to use with panniers that their might be heel strike issues.

Other things like fender clearance / eyelets etc reduced the suitable options available locally to zero.