I found a benchmaster on FB Marketplace. Can't remember how much I paid, but it was less than $500 I think. A Hardinge BB2V just sold in my area for $400 (looks like a better machine than the benchmaster). I also watch proxibid for local auctions, but depending on where you live, those will almost all be industrial/full sized machines.

I am interested in the answers you get regarding the optimal mill. I haven't gotten my benchmaster restored yet... and don't have the skills to properly assess its utility anyway... but they seem to be well regarded among the machinist community. With the caveat that everyone feels obligated to tell you that a small / benchtop machine is not going to have the capabilities of a Bridgeport.