I think you've hit the nail on the head: just use the type-C connector. Bonus, it means the connector could be on the same side of the PCB as all the surface mo

I think you've hit the nail on the head: just use the type-C connector. Bonus, it means the connector could be on the same side of the PCB as all the surface mount components and not impact insertion direction. If you need a type-A, good news, there's adapters for that.