Given more consideration that I'll likely be on pavement and at most fire road/gravel type of riding, I've started looking at bikes with a conventional fork. Any reason why I should a.) avoid this bike or b.) could spend $100-200 more and get a lot more value?

Current price is $515 delivered to my door step and assembled by Beeline. I'm aware the brakes are low end and the crank is unlabeled OEM; probably par for the price point. Just not sure if there would be any other 1x11 or similar types of bikes anywhere close to this price point. The only other one that stood out was the Charge Grater 4 from Jenson, but that's ~$1050 delivered. Not doubting it'd be an upgrade, especially the brakes, but 2x the price gives me pause.

Raleigh Bikes, 2017 Cadent 4

Charge Bikes Grater 4 Bike > Bikes > Commuter & Urban Bikes | Jenson USA