It sounds like you live in the flatlands or that you will probably just be riding this bike short rides on the flat for fun? Anyway, I would start going to yard sales, garage sales, etc. and try to pick up an older cruiser type bicycle. Doesn't even have to have gears - a single speed would be perfect - and it won't cost you that much either if you pick up someone's old used bike that's been hanging in their garage for a while. The search for the bike might be really fun too. You might have to lube the bike, etc., and probably replace tires and tubes, but it's quite doable.

spoke,