Originally Posted by
Pamestique
Try to find a good used steel frame road bike like an old Nishiki or Myata or even a Schwinn. Just make sure the components are simple and you can maintain the bike. (i.e. keep the bike simple - all that suspension and other stuff costs money to maintain)
BTW you should be paying Mom some rent especially when you find work--- just my old lady 2 cents!
If you go with vintage Schwinn, make sure it is one of the lightweight ones from 80s, rather than 70s or 60s. Mid 80s Schwinn Tempo or Voyageur, perhaps, but beware those ubiquitous Varsitiy and Collegate. Durable for sure, but also very heavy. Some of those bikes weighed close to 40 lbs and came with steel wheels. If your budget only allows for something like that, you are better served with a hybrid, even an old hybrid from the 90s likely will have alloy wheels and won't weigh more than 30 lbs.