Right on, thanks for the info.
Cost no option (within reason), I'd say this:
Alysa I8
Cost more of an option:
Alysa FT 0
I'm not brand loyal, it's just that I'm most familiar with their product line. The other big players will have bikes which compare almost identically. Raleigh typically is pretty competitive though with this sort of bike, and is hard to beat value-wise.
The internal hub is super easy to use, you can shift when you aren't pedaling, and is generally just more enjoyable for casual users. It also adds expense, which is the downside. I think retail is about $700.00, versus $450.00 or so for the derailleured bike. Keep in mind that in the bike industry you don't hit the law of diminishing returns until you hit the 1k price point; i.e. if you spend $50.00 more, the bike really is $50.00 better. At the high end, you end up spending a lot for a little.
You can spend less, but unfortunately the $300.00 bikes from all makers tend to include lots of "features" like suspension forks, seat posts and adjustable stems,which add weight and complexity. Weird that you spend more to get "less", but the higher-end bikes have better parts on them.
Lastly, I'd definitely check out Hawley's. It's a family-run shop that's been in business for half a decade. Most of the staff has been there forever. It's a great shop, and they'll be really helpful.