Hello! Im no new Player but a Returner started from basicly Zero. So i can kinda relate.
1.) There are items called Portal Stones you can use em to reach serval spots in Rohan. You can buy em at Citys or at some Bindstones, for beginning take a trick on 2nd Icon on Right Symbolbar, a counter appears and after wards you are in Eres Harbor or Gathering Hall how ever you wanna call it. The Sundries Merchant sales Stones that pretty much help alot to move around. For lvl 30 i would say take Wild Highland Stone from there you can walk to Ahkma, a previously famous Dungeon. In there you can farm/grind from lvl 30-45 mobs are plenty, the deeper you go the harder it becomes.

2.) Refining is expensive thats right, but a few things to know: you can refine up to 15 lvl down safely and improtant for you maybe refining 1 lvl X 3 is cheaper than doing 3 at once.

Kinda Side Advice take your lvl up rewards at Bindkeeper of your Hometown and in Gathering Hall is a NPC that gives you gifts also ever 10 lvl until you reach 50, they help alot.

3.) Yeah where are the players...well we had a "jumping" event meaning that every player that made character in a set time got it pushed up by 50 lvl, many new and old players used this to make new Characters but now after the event the most players have their new toys on serval lvls and dont wanna lvl new ones. Specialy new players prolly faced a harsh truth if you are a lvl 115 character with no gear you suck. So manny gave up. The other new players mostly solo farm(speaking of ppl i meet during lvling my new(now lvl 88 Int-Dekan) they never been on Party Maker and farmed quietly in some spots.

For the places where ppl gather often... this are no citys but Trading/Pvp Places and rly high lvl Dungeons(since you need a party to be any efficient there) to name few: Limestone, Lower Gratt, Upper Gratt, Ronelia and a few more i never visited but heard of. If you want players to play with you are best with going to lvl places and find someone or check out the Trading places but be aware with out this jump event there arent many players lvl in 30+.

I also advised you to check out the Blog i send you link to for many informations this one could help you:
http://all-aboutrohan.blogspot.com/2...d-farming.html
and also this one:
http://all-aboutrohan.blogspot.com/2...-lv-10-20.html

This is no scam i assure you if you read that stuff you get pretty detailed ideas how things work.

Oh and to the Edit, well im Playing on Isen if you have questions or need help feel free to just whisper me via the /w command. Names you can Reach me on are Crinitus, Rubbii and SuckaPunch(dont other using Serach list my Toons are hidden!)