It really depends on what your ultimate goal is.
My best advice is buy a bike you will grow into not a bike you will grow out off. If you're going to ride moderately or more seriously you'll grow out of an entry level bike and regret getting on in the first place. $1,500-$1,800 with like 105/Rival instead of Tiagra/Apex will be a bike you'll grow into and can even competitively ride on.