Trouble with "near the front" is that because of the overhanging wing and engines, you can't see anything unless you're in a window seat. I did MAD-MAN last year and thank god there was no-one in the middle seat, because 3-3 in the 146 is just stupidly tight.

I sat in 6D (don't know why D should be avoided in particular ) and the inboard engine totally blocked the view out of the window. If that is important to you, then either sit in a window seat, or sit further back.