[tuvan]

Yes, most keyboards still have the traditional layout. But I believe many options fit what OP needs. A split keyboard such as Ergodox EZ allows access to the maximum amount of keys possible without moving your hand. You can then customize the mapping to properly distribute commonly used keys.

[enormousness]

Ergodox EZ is ortholinear. Ortholinears by their nature tend to not have spacing issues but they require (extensive) retraining.

There's a very good chance that the above poster was looking at staggered layouts if it's their first foray into custom keyboards, and not even considering orthos.