Any modern gun should be able to stand-up to a fair amount of use/abuse...but keep in mind there is a pretty wide variety of guns being bounced around in this thread and I have a hunch not every one would suit every shooter. I think you should specify whether you want heavy or standard weight barrel...iron sights or scope only, etc. Reason I say that~lugging around a heavy-barrel gun...or taking offhand shots with it~not going to be all that much fun. If you want a gun that can stand-up to the elements too..then stainless/synthetic should be a consideration. More info might help us narrow-down a good choice for you.
Having said all of that~you'd be hard-pressed to beat a Ruger American for value, and for the gun being a handy size with a flush-fit...reliable 10rd. magazine, etc. It's available in a standard, or compact version. I'd suggest the standard length if you're planning on using iron sights mostly...but either gun would be good for scope use. Second choice would probably me a Marlin XT-series, however, for sling carry...I far prefer flush-fitting magazines. So, the Ruger American would get the nod.
If there is any chance Santa will be bringing you any $ this Christmas...$500 isn't THAT far away from a CZ452 American. (standard-weight barrel/no iron sights) It would be a tricky gun to track down new mind you, and you rarely even see used copies come up for sale. If you plan on using iron sights mostly, you could look at the LUX models as well.