/home is like you're user folder in windows. Linux allows you to install the whole system like windows on one HDD. Also you can split it up so if you need to do a re install you can leave you're documents and photoa, things of that nature in touched. A quick google search will show you how to do this at install
I already enjoy using libreoffice, I always used davinci, gimp is close enough to photoshop, and I don't really use illustrator, so I should be good. I've actually heard of Popos, but it was in the back of my head somewhere. I am currently using Ubuntu now and I enjoy it a lot more than Windows.
I'm currently using Plasma by kde because I found that GNOME makes my cs:go very choppy and unplayable, but I do want to get to the macOS feel if I possibly can.