To put it simply the old FFXIV is dead starting with Patch 1.18 it is basically going to be a new mmo in the majority of the aspects of the game.

The battle system is changing, the leveling system is changing, the job system is changing, Leves are no longer the focus of the game, they are adding tons of quest, SP is rewarded for them now (if you like that is a matter of opinion), companys are being added, dungeons are being added, Transportation is being added in a few more updates.

If you hated release I would wait until after 1.18... because if you come back now what you see will not be anything you can use to judge the game.