So I started on day one, had a blast for a while mostly with crafting and gathering, and only got a conjurer to 28, then I quit because I was frustrated with the fate grind and how easy it was to level and do everything.

I've wanted to come back for a while, but I've had a friend tell me that basically once you've fallen behind the curve, you're done and there is no catching up, since there are no catchup mechanisms in the game and almost everyone is level 50 in everything, so the lowbie areas are a wasteland. I figured I'd ask here, since he recently quit and I don't know if he's just frustrated with the game or if that's really the way things are.

He basically told me, "You can't make gil because there is all supply and no demand, there are no groups at lower levels anymore, and the game is all about endgame and raiding but if you aren't already there, you can't catch up because the grind is bad."

So is any of this true?