G vs. N: Wireless-N is a waste unless you run ALL 802.11n devices in what is known as "N-Only Mode". There is a specific setting for this in the router's programming, which prevents any non-N device from communicating with the router (as opposed to "Mixed Mode", which allows older G devices to communicate as well as the newer N devices). There aren't many devices now that aren't wireless N, so an N router offers future room for increased performance( if it is in your budget).
When a router talks to a client over a wireless connection (your computer, iPhone, printer, whatever), it talks to the device at the best speed it can manage. However, when you mix slower (wireless G) and faster devices (wireless N), the connection speed is often bogged down trying to communicate because the router is constantly changing communication methods, thereby slowing down the faster devices (I'm simplifying this greatly for ease of understanding, it's way more complicated than that). Consider it similar to you and a few friends are talking in your native language (the faster one for you) and one guy is trying to talk in another language (the slower one). The whole conversation will slow as you try and communicate in two languages.
Unfortunately, you're going to get what you pay for when it comes to routers. Generally it is considered that Cisco/Linksys is the best consumer brand router to buy as it offers the most bang for the buck for the Average Joe. Netgear and Buffalo offer some good products that have more advanced options (although sometimes the restrict other useful ones), but typically to get the most out of any router, it requires more advanced knowledge of settings and firmware than anyone really has any need for.
In the end, I would search your pockets long and hard, and buy yourself a Linksys E3000. This is about one of the best consumer grader routers you can find (easily in stores as well as online), and the Linksys firmware is easy to understand and work with to set your router up. The built in antennas in this model are great for getting good signal coverage, especially if you use the 5GHz band in "N-Only Mode".
Just me :-), but I use one at home and tweaked it so I drown out any competing wireless signals from around my apartment
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