Notes, right now is a great alternative.

• It is free
• Ad-free
• Good sync
• Ubiquitous on the Apple Platform
• Uses iCloud storage which is very very cheap atm
• Web accessible via iCloud.com
• Sharing from apps to Note with standard share button
• Spotlight on OS X and iOS show results from Notes too
• Siri can take dictations to Notes
• Notes does checklists!
• Notes can be structured or unstructured for e.g. titles are totally optional
• Markdown style Lists
• Links/Bookmarks can be dragged in from browser and shows up as a little box with a picture and title. Good representation.
• iOS lets you put sketches into the notes. Fun to draw.
• Photos can go right in. Also has a photo browser.
• All those can be put in the same note
• Keyboard Shortcuts for formatting as well.
• Allow Grouping via Folders

All in all, it deserves another try.