New Mountain/Cross Bike?

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I am looking into purchasing a new bike that can handle the streets of new york as well as trails if i ever wanted to get away from the concrete jungle. i'm wondering what type of bike would be the best choice (maybe a cross bike?) but I want it to be lightweight, somewhat fast, handles well, not too costly (although i know that the more expensive, the better), and just an overall sturdy and quality made bike. also, i was wondering what the best brand (or multiple brands) are good in terms of reliability. i was looking at Fuji, Specialized, and Trek but i'm sure theres others out there. any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks!