I want the benefits of blender 2.8 with a more familiar workspace
I’m afraid that’s not possible… but what is possible is to learn the new UI, which is not that much different from 2.7x really … 
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I took around 2 weeks to get adjusted to Blender’s 2.79 (and then 2.8) UI and controls after using Maya for years. Had a lot of hair-pulling and wtf moments. You might have to google a couple of things on the things you need that have been changed in 2.8 or 2.9, but it shouldn’t be that tough for you.
Open a 2.79 file with Load UI checked?