Do you want rack and fender mounts? If just fender look at the All City Macho Man. Fairly straight top tube, but no rear rack mounts - just a high fender mount. Beautiful bike at a reasonable cost. Soma Double Cross was another I liked, but I ended up with a Velo Orange Campeur. Has all the mounts I wanted, including kick stand!, and had the geometry I wanted. You may consider the VO Pass Hunter too. About $500 for the frame and if you are careful with the build price you may get into your price range. Also, the Kona bikes are a good value (I prefer chromoly). I also looked hard at the Surly Straggler since I could transfer all the parts from my Vaya, but the wait time didn't work, no kickstand mount, and I couldn't handle a purple or black frame.

http://allcitycycles.com/bikes/macho_man
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...eur-frame.html
http://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...-frameset.html
http://www.somafab.com/archives/prod...ble-cross-disc

I know a lot of people have and like the Jamis and I looked at it as well, but I think for a few more dollars you can get something a bit nicer. Jamis is a good value (I have one in the family fleet) and the Aurora is a nice touring bike though. Appealing. I just like the VO much better and next in line was the Macho Man if it had a straight top tube (my preference), kickstand mount, and both fender and rack mounts I may have gone with that one.

BTW - what state are you in? If Florida I can recommend The Path Bike Shop in Clearwater. They will hook you up good and have the All City, the Kona, Salsa bikes, and VO bikes (had to order my VO). Very good shop and great prices. Excellent build services.