If your willing to change your washing habits go with the frontloader and you won't regret your choice.

If you are unwilling to learn new wash methods, buy a toploader and you won't regret your choice.

I've only owned frontloaders since the 1980s and they are in my opinion the only way to wash. They wash better and rinse better than a traditional toploader.

If your preference is to dump your laundry in and go washing only on cold I would recommend you stick with the top load washer.

MRBM

Not all FL are the same, but most of them allow for a cold wash with high water level and it should do much the same job as a TL. The advantage with a FL is they take in cold water and heat it gradually as the wash proceeds. This makes pretreament of stains usally not necessary. Bedlinen and towels need a good 200F wash now and then to stay fresh. Top loaders can be good but hardly any of the models heat water, so only get as hot as your tap can provide. Either way, with a few tricks we get our clothes clean whatever we choose.

It seems you are recommending a TL for me.
I have read a few places on line that you have to carefully place your items in the machine with a top loader so that it is correctly balanced. Is that true for "regular" laundry (clothes)? Or is it just for a big item like a comforter? What about towels (about 6 big ones at a time)?