Looking to buy a new camera

So after the flash stopped working on my bottom-of-the-line years-old digital camera, I've decided it's time for a new and much much nicer one. I've been doing some general research online as to what type of camera I want to buy, and I've pretty much settled on something between cheap digital point-and-shoot and DSLR (I mostly use my camera when traveling and I mostly travel light, plus I'm not exactly looking to turn photography into a hobby, I just want great pictures of the places I've been with minimal hassle). But if possible I would like to buy my camera in a store rather than online, and have the opportunity to talk pros and cons of specific models with knowledgeable people who won't try to pressure me into spending more money and will be patient with someone who, like I said, isn't really getting into photography as a hobby at present but just wants pictures to turn out well.

So, any recs for good camera stores with friendly personnel who will be honest and fair with someone who knows very little about the technical end of photography? (And barring that, any recs for good photography/camera-related LJ comms? Or actual camera advice from your experience?)

Thanks all!

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