Holy crap that was long. You don't like your current bike, you want a new one.

If local searches are netting you nil, then the internetz is your best bet. Nashbar, BikesDirect/BikeIsland, PerformanceBike, etc.

$200 will buy an acceptable single speed setup, but you're not going to get much for a geared bike. Craigslist doesn't have many bargains these days, it's mostly full of people trying to pedal (pun) junk for what they think it should be worth regardless of the current market index for junk bikes.

The most economical thing you can do is fix what you have. For less than $200 you can get your Goose up and running good. By the way, even a new bike is going to require maintenance and will also deteriorate given enough neglect.