[avtar]

While it doesn't expose you to default key bindings (by default), I've been really digging this project https://github.com/syl20bnr/spacemacs as a gentle and more intuitive introduction into the world of Emacs.

[crucialfelix]

this is the one that finally got me a solid emacs config that I'm happy with. and i haven't even started adding my own configuration layers yet.

finally I am faster on emacs (with vim keybindings) that I am on atom or sublime. that, for me, is the tipping point.