Gavin, I encourage you to consider Cynosure (cynosure-online.com/forums). We are a medium-large social shell with a very helpful attitude. Although about half of us are hoary old veterans, many of us (including some of the old farts) are leveling lower jobs -- which is very, very fast these days.
I am Grommet in-game. I will apologize in advance that I won't be on much until Thursday, but I have that day off and hope to play FFXI a good amount. Perhaps I will see you then, if not earlier.
Other sackholders in my shell include Demetar, Lodur, Whoohoo, Faithfulopossum, Sairsha ... am I forgetting some? If you reach them, please feel free to tell them that we "met" on Alla and that I said pearling you was fine.