Starting City

[Dreadful]

I have a Marauder because I want to go Warrior and that's the nearest class early on, but I also realize I want to work on crafting. Would it be more efficient if I started fresh as a Gladiator and then picked up mining so I can become a Blacksmith later on down the road?

[Niwashi]

Once you reach level 15 in the main story, you'll be able to go to all three cities and pick up all the classes you want. In the meantime, you can begin blacksmithing in Limsa Lominsa. The early level materials can be bought from an NPC there. You will want to add Miner as well once you get to Ul'dah, since the later levels of materials have to be gathered (or bought from players who have gathered them, which can get too expensive for some items). But you can begin with BSM first if that's more conveniently located. In either case you're not going to have both Miner and Blacksmith until you can travel between Limsa and Ul'dah.

[Conradus]

I have a Marauder because I want to go Warrior and that's the nearest class early on, but I also realize I want to work on crafting. Would it be more efficient if I started fresh as a Gladiator and then picked up mining so I can become a Blacksmith later on down the road?

No, you'll unlock airship travel at the level 15 quests in the main scenario and you'll have ready access to Ul'dah at that point (in fact, you'll have to go to Ul'dah to continue the main scenario questline).

It might actually be a good idea to wait on crafting and gathering until level 17 in the main scenario because that's when you get your retainers and you'll find the additional storage very useful when crafting.

[Dreadful]

Thank you! I rather enjoy being a resident of Limsa Lominsa (even if it does smell of fish), so I'll stick with my Marauder and take your advice.