Seems to me that a bike owner in an area like mine has two choices:
(1) Buy the bike you love but never leave your bike unattended outside, for any reason, even at home; or
(2) Buy a "beater" for almost nothing (surely a really cheap, ugly one can be found for almost nothing). Make sure it was cheap enough that you really don't mind losing it once or twice a year. Lock it up with the best lock you can afford.
A bike owner could do both, owning two bikes for different purposes. You could ride the first one all over for exercise and fun. However, if you need to pick something up at the store then ride the first bike home, lock it inside your house, then get on the beater and ride that one to the store.