What type of countertop to choose?

Countertop choice is a personal decision based upon taste and budget. Your low end options are new laminate, your high end options are granite and Corian. All come in multiple styles and colors, and there's some price variation at each level.

If you want to keep it modest, update with new laminate tops. If you're handy and your kitchen conforms, you can buy pre-laminated Formica tops in 5 or six styles reasonably at Home Depot or Lowes. If you're handier yet, you can cut and laminate your own, but you won't be able to manage rounded edges. As a last (and most expensive) resort, you could hire a professional.

Well I definitely overimproved my house and put in corian countertops but to me it was worth it b/c i know I'll live here for at least 10 years. I should at least like my kitchen right?

But they definitely have some nicer Formica countertops out there. Sure, you can tell they are Formica even though they claim they look like granite or what not. But it would probably be an improvement over what you currently have.

The first step is really to decide on what your plans are for this house. Are-you planing to stay in it for lets say 25 years or if you are trying to sell it?

In the first case you can just listen to your hearth. Remember to give considerations to who will use it (maintenance) and how (functionality) as well as how visible is it (i.e. opened kitchen).

If you are planing on selling, there are two approaches. Cut your losses and finish the job "short and sweet" or give yourself an edge by offering something nicer that stands out. You might not get the money back for this specific item, but at equal price this can make the difference Between a house that sells and one that doesn't.

Depends on your budget but it will cost much more than you think! If your countertop is OK (no gouges or burns) just live with it. Think of some other way to make your kitchen different.

If yours are in good shape consider faux finishing them to look like granite.

http://www.countertoptransfauxmations.com/b&a.html

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/fauxgranite