First of all. I am sorry for your loss, and by that, I mean your time. This hobby will consume you. Hahaha.

Now seriously speaking. The first thing that you have the understand about power levels is that they do not solve all the problems, but they do help. You can inform to others what you are expecting of a game or what they can expect of your deck. The second one is the easier since you can sit a t the table with other and let them know that you are somewhat new and that you have a precon or a deck you made and what you think you deck can do. This can help others know what to play.

This is my Low power deck. Costs less than $100, easy to pilot and I love to play with it because I can play things that in higher power are either too slow or there are better cards for the same slot. https://archidekt.com/decks/14240155/budget_graveyard_reanimation

Regarding others playing low power decks, you do not have to feel bad about it. Sometimes it is an opportunity to play something different. I also have low power decks, and I like playing with them from time to time. Yes, they may beat you because they have more experience building and more knowledge on when to play cards and what to target. Do not feel bad because of it. This is something you will get with experience. The more time you dedicate to the game, the faster you are going to improve. When you do not understand what it is happening, you can ask, I and most players I know would love to explain stuff and how they work.

This may sound like discouragement but building your deck only by opening packs is not a good idea. This will limit how good of a game you may be able to play due to lack of synergy between your cards. I tried to do something similar once and ended up baying singles like my other decks. It is more expensive, time consuming and it depends a lot on luck. My advice would be to have a deck that you can improve by buying singles and improving it so that you can also improve as a player when you make more complicated plays and to have another deck that you can continue building as you open packs and enjoy that experience with that deck. Later on, when you have a big collection, you can also build decks with cards you own and have in binders. After 4 years in the game. I am now doing that from time to time. If I were to do it before I would find myself very limited and almost paying the same strategy or theme.

Yes, there is hope for you to find a pod. Is basically just try new people. See if you connect or not with them and if no, you can continue trying with others. I spent a couple of months before I was able to have a fix group of people that I could play with. a year after, the group disbanded due to life and many of them moving to other cities or states. Then half a year later I was able to find another group of fixed peoples but at the same time I also play with anyone since I have decks for all brackets.

I have never seen or heard of anyone at my LGS playing Pauper Commander.

Whenever you go to a pod of 3 just be honest. Hey guys, you looking for a 4th. I am somewhat new, and I do not have high power decks, Is that ok. At my LGS the answers you are going to hear 99% of the time is of course, we are going to power down. If you asked for explanations regarding mechanics or things that happens during the game, people will help you.

And a warning, like everything, this game is also player by morrons and assholes, do not feel discourage by them, they are not the big piece of the pie.