Just to highlight some problems on the first road bike.
With a budget of that amount- you will have a problem trying to decide which bike to get. Really have a problem as you are also changing forms of bikes. There is a rule in Cycling that the first bike you buy- is only to tell you what you should have bought in the first place.
I changed from MTB's to road 3 years ago and knew nothing about Road bikes at all. What Geometry should I get? Comfort- Performance- Racer? What spec of groupset? What sizing? What quality of wheels?
Talking from experience now--The groupset is easy. Ultegra or above if you are going shimano- or the eqivalent in other makes. The geometry is what you will settle into but If you go for one type and it does not suit your body or ride style then it will not be comfortable. Sizing and as an EX mountain biker- my first frame was just a fraction too small. It felt right initially but wasn't long before I realised the next size up would have been better. And then the wheels- although at that price I would expect "GOOD" wheels- you may be getting a wheel that is not really for you.
So be carefull in choosing that first bike otherwise N+1 may be
required a bit too quick.
So that is the pitfalls but hopefully the LBS will guide you through and over them.
One of the most popular road bikes around is Specialised. Going to plug for a bike that I have never owned but can highly recommend from the comments of others on this forum. The Specialised Roubaix.
The Roubaix Expert has everything I have suggested For a quality bike. Ultegra Groupset-And wheels that I have been using for two years that are quality and Strong.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=34081
Others come to mind in the Trek Madone and the Cannondale models but I know less about these that the Roubaix.
So welcome to the dark side but take time to adjust to riding with your head between your knees. Should take about 10 minutes.
For my own personal choice of bike-I would prefer something that stands out a bit. That Serrota cycling fool suggested is one of them. The quality is there and from a race background. It is just a bit different to the run of the mill manufacturers. I suppose that is why my favourite bike is one that most have never heard of- but it works. And I got a custom build on it so everything fits.
http://www.boreas-bikes.dk/pages/ignis.html
That will cost more than your budget though.