Rivendell's are indeed beautiful bikes, and I don't want to discourage you if that's the route you want to take. But I will just say that there are plenty of bikes that are in the middle-ground between your Trek FX and the Rivendell. Jamis makes some very nice steel bikes. You could also look at Breezers (Villager, Greenway), Linus, Public, Trek, Soma...I mean, there are tons of choices. But by all means, if you want to go for the Rivendell and it won't take food or shelter away from your family, go for it.