What to look for in a bike

Why not wait til you're stateside (no shipping obviously).

Read what Lazysuperhereo suggested up there ^^^^

Make sure you look for the right size - otherwise all that shininess is very pointless indeed. Basic beginner's check for that stuff is here: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Check out the classifieds (good way of letting fate eliminate many of those confusing options for you).

Do a quick google of any bike and it's components that catches your eye in your price range - pony up on it a bit to see whether you're heading down the old Argos route again.

Ride it a lot until you identify problems or grow bored of it and change it up for something else.

Indeed WrongCog I am planning on waiting till I get there,
But I figure best to brush up my knowledge now and start picking ideas up what to look for here and there and what makes a part good, before I enter the rather murky waters of CraigsList. Take for Example Wheels, what means a wheel will stay true longer than another wheel?

what means a wheel will stay true longer than another wheel?

Don't ride it or failing that 36h Mavic open pro's

read every single post ever made on this forum then you'll know what to buy

Decide how you want to split your cash, 60/40 geared/fixed. Do as BMX Fred says, as Dicki says, Read all of Sheldon enter Mastermind and win millions. Bike sourcing then no longer an issue at all.

Welcome to the mindfield of fact, fiction, inanity and a lifetime of flippin huge smiles!