Anyone up for offering advice to a newb?

Currently living in Sydney but soon likely to be Melbourne and will in the near future be buying a new roadie around 2000$ region before heading overseas to live. This leaves the stock factory type wheels which are not always reliable at all. I had problems with wheels from the start on my previous bike (OCR1) and thought there would be some alternatives out there. I dont intend on racing anytime soon, just some wheels for general riding/training whatever. Any suggestions on good value alternatives besides the usual shimano 550's 500 540's etc..?