I went in to a local bike store and told the owner that I needed a comfortable old lady bike for commuting on. That was 10 years ago - $300 later I got a sturdy 7-speed bike with a basket that is still going strong. Now, admittedly, I have not commuted on it for 10 years as I've been very off-and-on, but it's going to be "on" again soon. I've even taken it on biking trails (not true mountain bike trails - the easier ones, but off road). It's basically a hybrid, but with comfy things like a wide seat, mud guards, and the aforementioned basket.
I would happily do the same again as far as buying the bike - yes, I could probably have found something cheaper, but going to a local store gave me the confidence that it was the right fit, it was a good bike I wouldn't necessarily have gravitated towards, and I helped a local business.