For simulation, LTspice is hard to beat. The good news is that this forum allows .asc file attachments to posts. If you have an issue, just attach the file to a post.
OTOH, there is a VERY active LTspice group on groups.yahoo.com with some VERY knowledgeable people. There are actually two groups but one is just a repository for design files. Ultimately, subscribe to both...
I don't have a good schematic editor. I use ExpressPCB to build my boards so I use their editor. It links the schematic to the pcb file which if very helpful when routing traces. This software does not have auto-routing and I am still using the older 'classic' version. The new version doesn't link the files and that is fatal in my view.
My projects are quite modest. For the more complex stuff, I usually use a demo board for the FPGA or MCU and then design a daughter card for the specific IO. I don't want to get in the business of reinventing the wheel.