I lived in FL for a couple years, in an area that was mostly senior citizens (I worked in service orientated business). I was too scared to ride a bicycle or motorcycle there, so many of the drivers were oblivious to what was going on around them, probably because of combination of old age and the drugs they were on.

If you live in an area with a lot of retirees, make sure you have bright lights (there are flashing LEDs on the market now bright enough to be seen during the day) and wear glow-in-the-day clothing!

Anyway thats OT, I would get a hybrid that's on the road bike side of things (700c wheels, etc) Or maybe just get a road bike if you aren't gonna dress it out with fenders and racks, etc, and you don't find the riding position uncomfortable. Hybrid might be good if you are gonna ride on grass sometimes, they usually come with wider tires then road bikes.