Now that I got home after 2 years I was using my old computer witht he old OS on it, ArchLinux. I updated it, it was working fine and Arch is a fine platform... But I missed the NixOS setup I had moved to (and still had on my laptop)... Lastnight i moved back over to NixOS and I really couldnt be happier... this is the best linux distro I ever used! I love how every time you upgrade it produces a "clean" system of dependencies like a new install!
Another cool feature is stylix. Its something that is only really easy to do on NixOS. Its a module you load as part of the package configuration and it styles your whole system for you. Sets the same background in all your windows managers, and sets the same color scheme across all your apps, and even the boot loader and console... its pretty sweet!
That said the fact you are no longer a newbie is a testimant to those distros being good newbie distros... they did exactly what they should, give you a workable desktop and give you the chance to learn as you go.