There's several ways to think about it:
You've already played so you know what the gameplay is like. You might have a sense of the community and some online friends that you'd consider playing with.
There's some who say the game doesn't really get exciting until lv.50, and that is true if you're familiar with the MMO genre. The gameplay and mechanics for each class/job doesn't actually really make sense until lv.40 or so. That means you probably can't be certain you like the gameplay until then. I'd take a look at some of youtube videos of the raids and dungeons. You won't know what's going on, but just look at the actions of the players.
Tanks are always positioning bosses and handling aoe mechanics
DPS are managing a skill rotation and dodging telegraphed attacks
healers are healing and acting on contingency plans to keep the party alive.
The community however is great. Even if there are some players who complain about the playerbase, it is better than most other online communities.
If you can, talk to more experienced players. Some will ignore you, but a number will be tired of the current content or have the inclination to talk and share the game with you.
Just be aware, most of the advice you get here is biased. We're all playing the game for a reason or we wouldn't be in the game or forum.
Ask players for their reasons and check how much you agree with it.
Consider, roughly, how much time you have each week to devote to it. Then think roughly what you want to get out of the game.
Have friends and want to chat/play with them? You can probably spend 10 hours a week to do that and leisurely go through the content.
Want a little more, perhaps to maintain an in-game house or a FC? You're probably need to be online 2 to 4 hours each day for that (so 15 to 20 hours a week).
You want to raid? It'll probably take a solid chunk of 60 to 100 hours in the beginning to gear up and progress through the story, but then it's about 20 hours weekly (depending on the group you're working with) to maintain it.
Going for the world firsts probably means going 40 hours a week or more.
If you're considering money, simply think of all the games you have bought or want to buy. If you're playing an MMORPG, you probably won't be as enticed to make those purchases (because you have to divide your game time between the new game and your mmorpg). If you don't buy games often, the subscription might cost you more money for the same amount of game time and enjoyment.