Can't agree. Not into the leveling for the challenge. It's more like a tour of the zone, its monsters and its features, and bits and pieces of its lore. When I get bored of them, I switch to dungeon/hunt/roulettes and can find plenty of challenge there simply because not everyone is at full competency level.

Don't like sidequesting? Don't do them. I evaded Moogle Hell on this simple policy. Levels come quick regardless, and there's good gear to glean from the dungeons (some of it incredibly pretty).