Display - help!

You need a LCD with a good quality panel. There are several types and of course the ones with the best colour repro are the most expensive and hardest to find. Often the store you go to will not know the difference and the panel type will not be listed in the specs. One indication is the viewing angle, if it is listed as 178 degrees then it’s most likely a PVA or S-IPS panel. Also its a good idea to get a colour profile tool like a spyder.
LaCie, NEC amd Dell have good screens.

If you’re looking for display that has the quality that Daniel is talking about for $500 then I think your best bet is Craig’s List, Ebay, Amazon or something similar. I personally will take an excellent used item over a disappointing new one. Of course the big thing is to buy local and get a chance to see it before you buy it. I’m not sure how feasible that is for you. And the color profile tool is indeed a must. You may want to just borrow someone’s for now and buy one later since you’re already dumping $500 on a new(ish) display.