Good question. The reason I like tiller drive is because of all the room it opens up in the boat; but being in your situation that's not an option.
The thing about consoles is this: They are nice while underway, but in the way the rest of the time! My buddies 18 foot Panga is center console, stand up. Great while we are underway, but a pain in the neck to cast around and walk around. There is lots of storage under the console tho, which is nice.
The side console option is nicer to fish over, especially if you do a lot of casting, but not as nice while underway. I see many people sitting on top of the back of their seats while underway to gain a little elevation for better visuals.
In the Panga we mostly sit and fish, troll or jig, we are crappie fishing mostly. So the center console works pretty well. I like the center console for trolling better as we can have rods on both side of the boat and get to them easy while standing at the helm the few times we run the big motor while trolling that is; mostly we run the trolling motor while trolling tho.
If I were casting heavy cranks, spinners and worms all day like bass fisherman do I think the lower profile side console would be better.
So my preference break down this way:
If I fished big open water lakes with long run times between holes I would want a side console, especially if I were doing a lot of casting.
For big water, ocean, bays or in an area like tight stump infested rivers where visual references are paramount I want a stand up center console. Especially if I were not casting a lot. I would also want a center console for heavy seas; it is easier for me to absorb the shock with my knees than while sitting.
But mostly it's preference, my buddy Danny says he lives in Texas, where the trucks are 4 x 4 and the boats have center consoles!