monk vs bard, new player questions

[Aeliott]

1. MNK likes: feels faster than other jobs, satisfying when played well
MNK dislikes: fights with inevitable greased lightning loss can be annoying, lack of raw burst when Howling Fist and Steel Peak are on cd
BRD likes: a staple of any serious end-game team party, attacking on the move is a unique luxury
BRD dislikes: single target rotation is almost entirely complete by level 12, gets old fastk (imo), similarly AOE is just spamming one skill and hoping the next lights up

2. Not at all, I got PGL, LNC and MRD all to 15 before picking one.

3. Bard is the definition of straight-forward with group utility. Monk has to be timely with self-buffs and has ramp up with greased lightning stacks. Minor utility in Mantra, which boosts healing received by 20% to you and close allies. Monk is not straight forward.

4. Bard is an essential asset to any 8 man raid. While at least one melee is desirable, people almost never discriminate between DRG and MNK. So Bard is more sought I guess.

Sounds like Bard fits your requirements more. While it is the lowest of the 5 dps classes its song utility is a massive strength.