I want to buy a bicycle

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Hi all, my name is Jeff. I want to buy a bike, but I have no clue what bike is best for me. Any advice is appreciated.

To start, I am looking for something pretty cheap. Anywhere from $0-$300, maybe $400 tops. Ideally, the cheapest decent bike I can find. (Or if you prefer, the most decent cheap bike I can find.)

I will use the bike primarily to ride on the roads and get from place to place, but I would like to get something that I could also ride occasionally on dirt, gravel, or grass. In addition to getting from place to place, I will use it sometimes during the summer months for exercise.

If you have any brand or model recommendations, please let me know. Also, where is a good place to shop for a bike? There are a few small bike shops around me, but I've got the feeling they specialize in high-end bikes, and I wonder how good the selection will be for $200 bikes. Used bikes are more than okay as well, but I wouldn't know what to look for to ensure I'm getting a good deal on both price and quality.

Thanks!