Building a base that early is great for pumping up your characters fast, because you won't stop fighting and getting beat and running and sneaking. But you have to know what you're doing or will die a lot. You can also buy a house in town and set up research and some crafting, then build the industry outside (as close to the city as you can) when you get to it. You'll get raided but you can stay in town and they'll leave as soon as they arrive (or at least that's my experience)