I'm like you... 2 monitors is a must. BUT.... 'Spaces' is pretty danged good. Actually I'm using both now.... but even though I've been using Spaces for quite a while now I just can't really get used to it.
Currently I have 4 Spaces set up on the New Computer, (migrated from the old computer), and the 2nd monitor. PROBLEM... I keep forgetting how to drag and drop between spaces... do you know how to do this? - JamesJM