I have been using Linux on and off from the first shipped CDs from Ubuntu. Nowadays I mainly use OS X, because my employer provides us with MacBooks I can use in private and I like the UNIX base and I do not have to tinker to get things to work.
I just set up an old Thinkpad for my kids to start their digital journey with Linux Mint and am considering switching my private stuff to a separate computer.
What I really love about OS X is the consistent usage of alt and the command keys. It basically follows the concept: „you want to do something, press Command + …“ and „you want an alternative character? Press alt + …“.
My experience is that Linux key usage was inspired by Windows at first and Windows did not have a Command key.
Would it be hard to get the same behavior as on OS X with a Linux system?
Yes, it is definitely possible. How it is achieved largely depends on the desktop environment pr window manager you use.
I use the meta key largely for things related to windows and workspaces. I use the capslock key as the compose key. And, the right alt key for alternative characters. Additionally, there is Ibus for typing a variety of scripts and languages.