Yes agree with David.

being on a populated server can make you grow much faster. Join a guild with double sailing and get double gems, exp, and coins. Also additional REP from rep cities and coins from shrine, etc.

Starting out at a populated server is not a bad thing. Joining in a new server have its own challenges since everything you do will be from the beginning with no buffs from cities and everything being cut throat with everyone trying to establish dominance. Also a lot more work such as GW, etc.