I have written compilers for two families over the years: C and ML. My current preference is Python. I am currently working on a statically typed language that is inspired by Python (minus objects and OOP) that runs on a register VM.

Syntax is a minor issue but something that people are very opinionated about. You could technically build multiple front ends that share the typechecking, CFG validation, optimization, register allocation and byte code emission phases. But it is too much work for what is presently a personal project.