Upgrading to 2nd electric, need advice.?

So, I've been playing my epiphone les paul for 2 years. it was my 1st electric and went around 480 USD @ the time. I'm now upgrading. I want to know what a good upgrade would be. I want a fender standard (mexican) strat. its only 499, is it worth the upgrade? I want single coils so I umed it would be good. I'm open to anything. Advice please?