I tried a different distribution, but one that had the option to install with KDE or Gnome, and I concur with your opinion of Gnome, because I tried it first and eventually had problems.

But one of the problems I attribute to Linux more generally, is that if you Google for information on something like KDE vs. Gnome, you tend to find discussions where people get into the weeds on things very removed from "which one works and lets me get things done?". The threads are more like sports fans debating the merits of their teams while trying hard to be civilized about it. Which is how I ended up not trying KDE first even though that was the obvious default.