Remember, not all exit row seats recline. If the airline doesn't assign exit rows ahead of time, get to the airport in time to snare one. You have to be physically able to open those heavy doors in the event of an emergency, and young children can't occupy an exit row. If that's not an option, find out which seats offer the most legroom. On some common aircraft, such as 737s, all rows are created equal.
Airbuses usually have rows of seats along side lavatories or galleys.
These can have as much as six feet in front of them, more legroom than first class offers. Ask an airline reservation agent to look at a diagram of the layout of the plane you'll be flying. Or check out the airline's web site. Some offer maps with seat configuration. Some of those big-real estate seats might not be assigned except at the airport a couple of hours before a flight.