A used higher-end bow will cost about the same as a low end will run you new.
Shoot every bow you can get your hands on. You'll know what "feels" right after a few, and it will save you money in the long run. Building a relatioship with a Pro-shop is a worthwhile investment, they can help you narrow the field. Plus, if you do have an issue with a used bow, they are usually more than willing to help you to maintain your trust, as they know you will be looking for a new bow sooner or later.
Don't forget quality arrows and a decent bow sight in your budget, IMO, the two most important investments after your bow. Cheap arrows don't last, and cheap bow sights usually don't last either, and are hard to fine tune which doesn't help you gain the confidence in your shooting ability.
