You really need to be as precise as you can about your "needs" profile. Then look at performance and operating cost, etc.
The PA28-235 isn't all that fast, but doesn't half burn a lot of fuel, for example. But I understand (I've not read the POH of one) that you can fill it with fuel and people and be within MTWA. Can't do that with an Arrow.
I'm in my third group, and for my "profile" the Arrow III is perfect - usually 3 up, never more; IFR capability required; cruising speed of 130 knots is adequate. I'm very happy with it - it's a delightful, forgiving, comfortable tourer. Not aerobatic, not for very short fields, and beware miuddy grass getting stuck in the gear warning microswitches. After ten years, I wouldn't change - there's nothing comes close to it for the cost.
Cost to buy: a good one, about £55k including the money to replace the "used" portion of the engine - I reckon on the engine costing £15k, so a new-engined one is £55k, a time-expired is £40k. That also assumes good, FM-immune IFR avionics.
To keep it in flying condition, insured, parked etc, an average of £8,000 a year. Then about £55 an hour for fuel and oil, plus whatever you decide for the engine replacement fund.
If you don't want wobbly wheels and prop, an Archer will save a chunk on that but cruise speed is lower and payload less.
The TB series aircraft are very nice, a bit dearer, and have that strange gull-wing door that slams on your hand when the wind blows.
The C172/182 family and the C177 are broadly similar, but not everyone's ideal. I don't like high-wing singles when crossing water: I've had one engine failure over the channel in a C177RG (made it to land) and won't risk that again.
If I had the spare cash, my ideal would be a Rockwell Commander 114 (or whatever they call it these days). The extra 60HP make a world of difference. An Arrow with the PA28-235 engine would be nice, but I've never come across one.