Want to upgrade, but how to find what I want?

Okay, so I have an AWESOME Trek 1.2 WSD but that only comes out when I am road riding. My commuter is a bike I adore - a 30 year old heavier than a stack of bricks columbia. It was GREAT for commuting back in Indiana, but now I have moved to Missouri and where I am has hellacious hills. My 10-speed 35 lb bike aint cutting it. To make matters worse, I have to go up a flight of stairs to get to my apartment, so it has to come with me. And yeah, that isn't easy.

I am looking here in town for a commuter to do the trick but not finding anything. Most anything would be lighter than what I have, but I need something in a 47. It doesn't need to be fancy or expensive (needs to be $300 or under), but I have no idea where to look from here. This is definitely cycling territory, but getting a small women's road bike is horrendous. Finding my columbia was hard enough. Now I have to do it again!

Any suggestions?

Why not use your Trek?

I wish I could, but I don't trust to park something that expensive on campus. I also don't want to put all my commuting gear on every day and then take it off every day as well has take off my rack and mount for my basket. I also don't want to switch my pedals out (I don't like to ride clipped in a big urban area yet). I guess I am just far too nervous to loose my poor beautiful bike or get it destroyed by something falling on it and breaking the CF fork.

A folding bike? Locked up it wouldn't be an easy steal and not as inviting.

A folding bike is cool, but they still weigh a lot and don't tend to be made for hill climbing - a huge concern with a long hill going up to my apartment (about a mile long).

If I get a not-so-expensive bike it probably wouldn't worry me about being stolen. The problem is finding one.

Are there any brands that you think would be cheap enough> Any place to find used bikes? I put a want ad on CL, but I don't know if anyone even has anything. The used bike shop in town is wonderful, but they currently have noting.

Well,

Thanks for all of the help, but I found a used 50 cm at the LBS. They are giving me a trade in deal and installing my old rack on it. Gonna pick it up tomorrow! Paid more than I initially wanted (doesn't everyone?) but I calculated what I would be saving in gas and it is well worth it.