OK, checked out purefix... they look pretty comparable to citybicycleco, though at least from initial looks, I think I like citybicycleco more. On the other hand, the purefix seem really common, and obviously produce a lot more, so may be easier to deal with issues, and also can find them at a bunch of LBS. TBH, the purefix bikes seems a little below what I am looking for, even for a commuter. I'm pretty sure I wanna get an aluminum frame, the steel frames just seem heavy, i think the purefix is 23lbs and their premium is 20lbs (for a 54cm).
Anyway, still trying to look at other options, I figure I'd rather spend $600 or so and get a decent base fixie, instead of going to cheap and not being happy with it at all. But I definitely need something fast, don't want to go weeks without a mode of transportation.