You wont find anything in a dual suspension bike thats worth buying for under 1000-1200 range but you can get a really good hardtail for that money. For 250 bucks you can get a decent entry level hardtail but would really be entering on something fun for about a hundred more. for short trips to town though what your getting is probably fine as long as its from a bike store and not a toy store.
oh and welcome to the forum, you should read the sticky at the top about picking a bike, good read.