Been playing CS2 for almost a year now and finally have enough saved for a knife. Budget is around 500. What should I look for?

Don't rush it. Make sure you actually like the design because you'll be looking at it constantly. Also check float values before buying

With that budget bayonets are your best bet honestly. The Freehand design is solid and falls right in your range. Saw a good breakdown at https://follownews.com/the-best-bayonet-knife-skin-under-500-bayonet-freehand/ that covered why it's a popular choice. Pattern looks clean and it's not oversaturated in the market so feels more unique. Take your time comparing a few options but that's probably where I'd start if I were you