Welcome from Southern California. I found a great machine on e-bay but it is a little over your price range. You may find one there, but I recommend that you do go to a dealer close by and talk to them and see what used machines they have in their shop. It is wonderful to have someone close by who you can call or take you machine into when those occasional problems crop up. You will definately want a machine that you can lower, or cover the feed dogs, a 1/4" foot (may be purchase separately) an "open toe" or embroidery foot that you can use for free motion quilting. Have some fun and sit down and try out a couple of machines if you can.