Eight months low wing flying that long ago, I'd swallow my pride and get one like the Avistar to get back in the groove. I've got the Dragon Lady and it's a very forgiving low wing, but it's been a long time for you. About 15 yrs. ago, I was in your same position and decided to re-train on the Hobbico 60 size SuperStar.
The other side of argument is that with a buddy box, after a couple of weeks, you my have no problem with the low wing. You didn't mention how good you had become with the low wings before you left and which plane that was.