First, welcome to BF.
I have no affiliation with any brand or bike store. I would still recommend finding a local bike shop and asking them about what would be best for you. They'll certainly recommend the brands they carry and that's alright if you feel comfortable with whomever you meet.
Then find another bike shop and go through the same routine. You'll learn a lot about bikes as well as get a feel for how they'll be after the sale. You can probably save a few bucks on line but it's not going to make up for having a local shop that has an investment in your satisfaction.
Good Luck!