If you're going to get 208V lighting I would definitely stick with 240V NEMA plugs and receptacles for it ....it will keep you and any "helpers" from blowing shit up.
Why do you say its a bummer? If you do everything in 120V and the lighting with those multi-volt Chinese ballast's you'll still be able to do whatever/wherever you want in the future. Of course if you commit to 208V A/C units then you're kinda stuck. Not sure you can get those multi-volt.
Edit: You edited, now ^^ doesn't make sense!! LOL Oh well, it makes sense to you.