I've figured out recently that the perfect board dimension (at least for me) is an 8.5 that is on the shorter side; definitely no longer than a 32. They just feel so much better for me. I started skating shorter boards a while back and had a blast, then I went back to a couple longer boards for a bit (32.25 to 32.5) and my skating and tricks felt kinda off, it didn't feel right. I was wondering what it could've been, but I went back to a shorter board after and it all felt right again, so now I know whats up.
Currently skating a board that is 8.5 and somewhere between a 31.5 - 31.7, and it feels so good for me. Tricks just feel more dialed and poppy. It sucks because most companies that make 8.5 boards usually have them at over 32 long. Not too many companies make a shorter 8.5; I know Baker and Deathwish's 8.5's are around 31.75 long, and it's a really rad feeling shape. Other than them though it's kinda hard to find shorter 8.5's. You'll find one every now and then.