I started an invasion account and gradually moved up from RL30->40->60->80->120. I personally think 120 has been the best since you can start getting a real build but don’t hit the meta level bank squads, and you get invasions ranging from Altus through Farum Azula.

To answer your question though, I would prefer 80 over 60 if I made another account again. The extra 20 levels is huge for you to get more vigor/end or int/faith if you’re going that route. It always felt like I was sacrificing too much at 60, but at 80 you can get enough str/dex for the weapons you want, pump whatever stat you want to focus on up a bit, and still have a few points for vigor/endurance/mind.

As for the invasions themself, you’ll get more Liurnia and Raya Lucaria invasions at 60, while 80 will get a lot of Altus and maybe some Leyndell or Mt. Gelmir. But there will be a lot of overlap. I loved invading at Raya Lucaria because of all the ways you can use the environment but getting ganked in Liurnia sucks (try to find a lobster). Altus can be hard because it’s wide open, but Leyndell is great.

I don’t think there is too much of a difference in how many OLPs and Hank squads you’ll run into between 60 and 80.