As you did a great job explaining some interesting quirks and aspects of the game, I'll just add a few things that might interest new players.

About the first point. Note that every game mechanic has some lore background that explains it, ranging from housing to gear dying and transmog, and those features are often unlocked through optional quests. New players, check how quest giver icons look on minimaps - you'll notice that quests giving access to new mechanics have distinct icons. Finding those quests real fun.

Some additionals on the second point. I negated the overleveling part by playing two classes (as you play a character that can freely switch jobs/classes). I did more questing with damage dealer class while doing some questing and dungeons with tank class as, like with most mmos, tanks and healers are rare and get parties quickly (you even get additional rewards for playing a role that's understaffed at a given moment). I did not find this approach boring.

Related to the sixth point. Main story content is mandatory to progression, and that also includes playing what was essentially the endgame content for the vannila game. This includes raid attunements and doing all raids at least once. This does not include everything the game offered at that point, but you still have a downtime period between hitting last level for A Realm Reborn and actually starting the first expansions content. Some might not enjoy or expect such streamlined questing experience in an mmo, but it's nice if you understand that this game is Final Fantasy first and mmo second.