If an all purpose bike is what you want I'd get a decent used mtn bike...check around at the local shops, maybe put up a sign if they have a bulletin board, ask the shop manager/owner if he/she has any used bikes...maybe one that some loser brought in for repairs a year or longer ago and never picked up...great deals can be had.
Throw some road tires on it and you have a great all purpose bike for most conditions that will be a bit more bomb proof than a pure road bike.