What’s a good bike for light trail riding and short commutes?

I used to mountain bike a lot...but got rid of my bikes. I would like something to ride the few blocks to work or sometimes on trails. I quit riding in early 90's right when shocks/suspension came out...do all bikes come with that now..is it good to have.
Also can you get old fashioned shifters. I think the shifters were changing around that time to some push-push(?) style that I wasn't crazy about. I prefer the regular single lever - push it to go up a gear, pull to change down.

Oh...but I suppose I'm old fashioned and all these improvements are handy once you get used to them...

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The Schwinn hardtail mountain bike from Wal-Mart is very inexpensive, has good quality shifting, good components, and is one of the few very inexpensive bikes that I could possibly praise in this way. It does have front suspension that is suitable for mild trails and a cushy ride in the city. This represens a well done $139 product.

However, a trip to the bike shop might be more educational and much more fun. There’s something special about a real bike-store-bike.

Last time, I bought an all-alloy 7 speed crusier, and it turned out to be a tad faster than my road bike. I was so very surprised!

Revo-shift/grip shift isn’t bad, and it is nicer than the SIS lever shift.

If you’re looking in the "inexpensive" market, DO read the brand name from the rear derailer to make sure that it says "Shimano" or "SRAM" and never "Falcon". That will save you a lot of money despite the tiny additional price.
huffy
Find a used 2 or 3-year old mountain bike from someone who wants to upgrade. You may want to put some city tires on it.

As far as shifters go, a lot of the bikes have the "grip shift" shifters, especially at the lower end of the scale. These are very similar to what you have referred.

The Shimano shifters are now a "push-pull" sort of arrangement. The push-push went away a while ago.

A front shock is okay, but not generally necessary for commuting. The do help in off-road riding.