If you have a local dealer I would go and have a look and most importantly have a go. You need to feel the machine and you will know when you are comfortable . Also make a list of some of the things you would like on the machine and which is very important. Use the Internet to look at machines and read some of the threads here. I own both a janome and bernina in your price range and do very different jobs on them. My friend loves her bernina but is also looking at juki machines which you do not have on sale locally and servicing could be a problem.
Enjoy your search.