Hi Mickey and welcome. It would be helpful if you took a minute to fill in your profile. It's useful to get to know something about our bassist brothers and sisters. Filling in your profile gives us some geographic information which is useful when recommending local vendors and information about your experience level will also help you get some more appropriate and targeted comments/questions/info.
You need to tell us about your budget in order for anyone to make comments and suggetions. A tight budget to you may be different than a tight budget for someone else. Can you be specific?
You will see a lot of cautionary posts about cheap basses if do a little snooping so start there.
Also as it appears you are new to talkbass, take a moment and read the materials directed a newbies. It's helpful. You are new? Welcome!
Oops terribly sorry, was in a rush and didn't write more. Super Tight Budget of only $1000-$1300, and it needs to not be tempermental weather conditions wise. I was thinking an Engelhardt Swingmaster or something of that nature, and any other suggestions or shops you know around the south shore of MA would be of great help
You are at a price point which indicates a laminate bass which is good because it fulfills your requirement of not being too weather sensitive.
New Shen is in your reach. a few bucks more gets you an Upton.
Go play some basses.
Also if you can find someone who is highly qualified to evaluate used basses - a big if - but if so, then school is letting out soon and some student basses should be coming onto the market around Boston about now. Students who live far away or are moving on to schools that are far away often sell their instruments at the end of the year especially if they are planning to upgrade.
Making th leap.... 
