Kathryn: just as a sidenote, when I got back into biking I "thought" what I wanted was a simple little commuter bike when what I really wanted was a road bike. I now have 2 vintage road bikes but am dreaming of the day I can get a brand new, never-been-used, road bike just for me! My goal is to get the absolute best I can possible afford (or finance) coz I know anything less just won't be enough plus with the miles I put on a bike, it needs to be able to handle it! So I would say: go with the road bike and go with the absolute best you can possibly afford (or finance)......it'll be cheaper in the long run!
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand, strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming: "Yeah Baby! What a Ride!"