Hey and welcome back! The game has improved a lot as i'm sure you can see for yourself .

Now then, Since your highest lvl is 23 atm, I see no reason not to start over if you want another character model.
As for leveling, you can grind to lvl 10 in about an hour if you can successfully chain mobs one after another (yay for chains).
Leves are still a great way to lvl up low lvl, and if you can actually get ur hands on a exp group you will fly through lvls no problem! Crafting is easier, they made the recipies a lot simpler, and leves lvl them up fast as well. Also you can rest at inns while you sleep irl, and when you log on you will have rested exp, which lvls you even faster. So imo, its MUCH easier to lvl up than when the game originally lost. So make the character you wanna make and have fuN! but send that money to someone you trust, no point in losing 400k when you can simply have it on your new character Good luck!