Speaking from the vantage point of sixteen years of marriage, multiple pets at all times, and numerous vacuums, I prefer a more expensive upright. Cheap (100 - 150 dollars) vacs only last about a year with pets and carpet. So the Roomba, seeming to average about $100 a year, sounds about right. The more expensive ones have averaged out to about that much a year. Without the frustration of replacing every year.

That said, I've also lived in carpet-less homes, and Jitrobug has the right idea with the Velcro, microfiber mop. Don Aslett sells them on his site as well (just Google "aslett mop"). No batteries, no electricity, no cleaning solution. Just water for mopping, or dry for pet hair. They kick butt. I'd really like to go all wood or tile again, just for the ease of cleaning with one of those babies.