You don't say whether you want skinny racing tires or fatter tires for possible dirt/gravel roads, and you don't say if you want puncture resistant because of road glass and debris, or whether speed is more important to you.
There are tires that do various things well, if we knew more about your riding habits and your goals. If we know nothing except that you want good road tires, well then everyone is just going to recommend their favorite tire, whether it really suits your needs or not.
and...Do you consider $50 per tire to be within your "costing a fortune" category?