+1 on buying the bike you like best but I think a front shock is a waste if you're riding 90% road. If you take your time and test ride a dozen or more you'll eventually find one that just "speaks to you".

Forks require maintenence as mentioned above, add cost or a component downgrade or two to hit the same price point, and cheaper ones easily suck enough energy to slow you down by 0.5mph or more. I take my rigid fork cyclocross commuter out on dirt roads and easier trails a half dozen times ever year. If that added up to more than 10% of the annual mileage I might consider a suspension fork but it's only about 30 miles out of 2000+. Find some supple 32-35c tires and run them at 70-75psi if you're sticking to pavement and concerned about comfort.