Hi Jilli,
If you have a need for an acoustic find a “nice” mom&pop store with a cool lil’ selection of acoustics. Most M&P’s have affordable brands and most likely have tried many brands out in that field and stay with the best.
They get them in check for damage and playability of the instrument and set them up or will if they need it. Look for play action ( distance between
strings and fingerboard) check the necks feel , check sound, look at the parts bridge pins , tuners etc. Also check the top for any rising of the wood. Ask them to tune it , they’ll should be glad to do it. You’ll have to excuse me but I won’t buy anything from a salesperson with arrogance!
It don’t matter if it’s from Asia or not cause there are plenty of USA $1000. instruments that are faulty too… So a nice Jay Turser , J.B. Player
Woods, Dean, Trinity River, Palmer, and even Sunlite have real nice acoustic’s under $300. and if they are taken care of ,they’ll last a lifetime.
Then later on you can move on up if you wish. But, everybody needs that first guitar….
Hope this helps.