Buying my first road bike

[Owlie]

Perhaps stay away from the biggest names, and look at bikes from Jamis, Kona, Surly, Scott, Fuji, to name a few. You'll get more bike for the money.

For your budget, I'd look for 105 or Tiagra. Both are perfectly good. In fact, I'd go under budget and look at a nice Surly Pacer. Maybe a Surly Cross Check.

JMTC.

I think the OP would have a hard time with Surly. Those things run big.