I have a Brother 1500D which is a mid-range (about the price you're looking to spend).
It has an embroidery hoop field of 6x10 which is a good size, you can get the extension
table for the machine which gives you quite a large surface to help with FMQ and larger
projects.
Brother machines are the only machine I have any experience with, there are others
who will have Janome's, Bernina's, and other brands that are also good machines. So
be on the look out for advise from them.