but ideally I'd like a distro that's a bit more Linux-y.
Im not sure how you'd even quantify that? I mean.. there's a lot of variation in linux, so there's not a "standard" linux experience.. DEs like KDE or cinnamon are more Windows-y, and ones like GNOME or Pantheon are more MacOS-y. There's TWMs which to me is what makes the linux experience, but those aren't for beginners and I wouldn't recommend you start with that
Really it doesn't matter what enviroment you use, so honestly im gonna agree with the other comment and just say use one of the big begginer distros like mint cinnamon lol