In your price range there are several good guns you can find new and a ton of good used guns in that range.
I'm a big fan of the Taurus Milennium Pro. If it is your first autopistol though you may want to get it in 9mm. It is a smallish gun and depending upon your recoil sensitivity anything more may be too much (I find my PT140 Milennium Pro quite comfortable in .40S&W but a friend who doesn't shoot much thinks it is pretty punishing). My PT140 M. Pro is a well made gun, it is 100% reliable through 750-800 rounds now, it is pretty accurate, and the DAO trigger is nice (at first it was heavy, it is still long, but it is very smooth now, kind of like a nice DA revolver). It is one of my home defense guns (even though it is a small CCW sized auto and I have full-sized service pistols) and often comes with me when I travel to a state where I can CCW. It is also one of my favorite range guns.
I'd also check out the FN FNP9 or FNP40 which may be in your price range depending upon prices in your area (maybe a little more, but not much, if it isn't). Check the Charles Daly Hi-Powers. The Springfield Armory Mil-spec 1911. The Springfield XD. The Taurus PT911 (9mm) or PT940 (.40S&W). The CZ 75B. If you go used you may almost be able to get a used SIG, a used Glock may be in your range (though they aren't my first choice for a first autopistol, they are good guns). Also, you may want to look at a new S&W 910 or 908 or a used 3rd Generation S&W as they are good guns and usually not overly expensive.
Rugers usually get mentioned for good inexpensive guns. Personally I have not had good experiences with Rugers (except the .22lr MKII). My first autopistol was a Ruger KP89 which was very inaccurate. I currently own a KP345 which has not been very reliable. Still, they have good reputations and I'm sure the P90 or P95 would make good guns and are worth considering (I still may buy a P95 sometime in the future).
I have a Bersa Thunder in .380. It is reliable, it is pretty accurate, and I don't like it much. It is not comfortable to shoot- the "beavertail" cuts my hand. Also, for only a little more money you can get the Taurus Milennium Pro series which aren't much bigger and are in much more potent calibers. Still, it isn't a bad gun should you choose to go with one.
There are a ton of good guns to choose, pick what you like best.