FFXIV is a story oriented game. You play for the story and stay for whatever reason you want (Glamour farming, Raids, housing, etc).

I wouldn't really recommend the game to anyone if they wanted a hardcore raiding or PvP experience because FFXIV doesn't really do hardcore. Yeah, you can be a hardcore Triple Legends raider that parses night and day until you're in the 99% percentile but considering that the content is so formulaic in nature that even a new player can access and clear raids given the drive to, it's not really all that special an achievement.

The game is very casual focused. If you want a nice easy going MMO with a good story that also lets you just chat with friends and do whatever strikes your fancy, then FFXIV is perfect for you. If you want challenge, I suggest looking elsewhere because while the Savages and Ultimates are fun, they're also few and far between.