TSL has mentioned it- But your first bike will not be your last. It will show you what you want on a bike so you can make your second decision better.
At the price point you are looking at- Second hand may be your best bet but in the main- get a bike that fits- Is in ridable condition and that you like. By going Craigs list or the like- and spending a bit of time hunting them down- There will be a variety of bikes to choose from. Perhaps not your ideal but after a lay off from biking the first thing to do is get bike fitness back. That can be done on a Raleigh Shopper if necessary- The bike does not matter what type it is. All it has to do is fit and be reliable. Now if you could spend $1,000 on a bike- You can go to any shop and get one off the shelf- It still will not be your ideal bike- That will be the second one you get.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan