You wrote more about the bike and not enough about what kind of riding you anticipate doing so it's hard for me to make a recommendation. I'm a used bike guy unless I'm going custom frame- I see no sense in anyone with sound mechanical skills buying new unless they have the money or lack the time/resources to search for and or do an overhaul of a used bike. Or they get an amazing deal on a bike. (which I did on one of my commuting bikes)

I also didn't catch in the conversation where you live. How long is your commute? Will you do things like grocery shop on this bike? Will you commute in rain, snow, ice...? Will you use it for longer transport- to visit friends 20+ miles away? Do you want to go off for a tour? Do you like occasionally getting some hard fast rides in?

How old are your kids? Will you be transporting them on a bike? To school? In a trailer? Riding with them?

I think the answers you're getting from people are good but I think they're basing it on which bike they like and guessing on the details.