I personally enjoy the story, even the silly ones (though the lower levels did seem pretty slow). There's some good stuff in the side quests as well.

But I also like a lot of different classes. I main bard and recently whm, which is a lot of fun after 50 (I think, anyway), and I've been learning to tank. I like the dungeons and raids and their stories, I like the scenery, I like flying, and sometimes I like pvp.

Having a big, relatively active fc has helped a lot too. Lots of people do do content with.

It is true, though, that a huge chunk of the game starts at 50. All of the ARR endgame content + Heavensward starts there.