Another option to help the budget a bit would be to look at the Pre-Loved Bike Fridays. There's a tiny Pocket Rocket Pro right now that I would snatch up in a second it I were a tiny bit shorter.

I have drop bars on almost all of my bikes, including my Pocket Crusoe. I have them set relatively high - level with the saddle - and I don't feel like it harms my ability to sit up and ride around. I spend a lot of time on the hoods. The only time I think I would like straight bars (or swept back city style bars) is when I'm riding in heavy traffic sometimes.