I guess a staff may look more like a spear, though it will look nothing like a spear, and certainly not like a polearm, when you are attacking. It would be a cosmetic factor, and nothing like fighting with a polearm/spear. To me that would not be a spear themed based character, which in my mind is melee based. It will look more like a spear when it is on your back and, maybe, when you are just standing there, but when you start swirling it around in a circle, to attack with magic, it will look far less like a spear.

Also, to keep that appearance you will need to craft your own weapons every few levels, since most staffs you find don't have that look. Two each time if you are using a staff on both bars.

I see nothing wrong with going sword and shield. Greek/Spartan spear and shield wielding hoplites also carried swords, and switched to them when needed.

That said, there is nothing wrong with going with resto staff. It will work fine...I'm just not sure that it will give you the "feel" that you are looking for.

<shrugs>

While I do not have your specific setup, I have 1H+S on one bar and resto staff on the other. Yes, spears use magicka, as does healing, so that will be your primary focus. Since i knew that I would be using spears a lot I started putting all my points into Magicka until i hit the soft cap then i began putting points into health. One way or another you will hit the soft cap on magicka, through a combination of stats and equipment (provided that you focus on it).

I started with 5light/2heavy, but later moved to 5 heavy/2 light. I primarily melee, when not healing, so I wanted to be a bit tankier. It works great. I have no problem with magicka because I am always at or around the soft cap. You would probably have less of an issue since the resto staff will be replenishing magicka for you.