Ubuntu is just getting worse and worse. I was pretty happy running Ubuntu server for years after moving from Gentoo; I jag lost interest in spending time taking care for that server and wanted something easy.
I went to Debian half a year ago and it’s been great. Should’ve done it earlier.
I don’t think I’ve ever made a “clean upgrade” on Linux. I’ve done the opposite though, that is, bring an old install over to a new computer.