I've been mostly sold on the awesomeness of a 50mm lens, but
it is my understanding that the current generation of 50mm
lenses from nikon will not autofocus with the d3000 (unless I
spend a gob of cash, I'm thinking of the ~$130 50mm lens).   
I'm happy to shop for good used lenses,  and I have a d3000. 
Is there a 50mm that I should be looking for that won't have
the (wasted feature) autofocus on it?

Thanks.

From the note on page 16 of the D3000 User Guide:

"Autofocus is supported with only AF-S and AF-I lenses, which are equipped with autofocus motors."

So for every lens you want auto-focus for has to have a focusing motor, with the appropriate material cost, in the lens, unlike some more expensive camera bodies that include an auto focus motor within the body.

You can buy a AF Nikor 50mm f/1.8D new for about $125.00, it will not autofocus on the D3000 since it has the focusing pin that interlocks with Nikon cameras that have an internal focusing motor.

George
My Nikonian Galleries

Hi Jeremy,

here is a list of all lenses which will provide AF with your camera:

http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=312&topic_id=37&mesg_id=37&page=

Gerold - Nikonian in East Frisia
Eala Freya Fresena

Hi Jeremy,

Welcome to Nikonians!
The Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G AF-S and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 HSM are your only choices that will AF when mounted on your D3000. The problem is both of theses lenses are well over $400.00.
If you can live with a 35mm prime, the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G AF-S ($199.95) will AF on a D3000 body. It is a little wider, but a lot cheaper alternative.
Good Luck and Enjoy your Nikons!

Best Regards,
Marty

Thanks for the answers.

Looks like the 35mm f/1.8 AF-S goes for about $200, while the 50mm f/1.4 AF-S goes for around $500.

Sadly, I'm on a pretty limited budget. I'm trying to get a good general lens - should I go ahead and grab the 35mm and be happy with it, or is the 50mm so much better than the 35mm that I should wait and save up?

Hi Jeremy,

On you D3000, a 35mm lens has the same Field of View (FOV) as a 50mm lens has on a film of FX body. Back in the 1970's and 1980's most cameras came with a 50mm lens as zooms were uncommon and expensive at the time.
The 35mm lens is considered a normal lens on a DX body.
To see for yourself, set the zoom ring on your kit lens to 35mm and keep it there for a while and shoot.
Then set it to 50mm and keep it there for a while and shoot.
Which focal length works better for you?
The 50mm f/1.4 is 2/3rds of a stop faster than the 35mm f/1.8.

Best Regards,
Marty