If BoB and Smitten go to Midgard and plan to stay around a while I will switch servers. This is getting to be too much here!

I don't think it really matters that much if you start over or not. It doesn't sound like you were that far into the game so you won't lose much.

You are definitely in the sunset period of this game rather than the sunrise. That being said I don't see it going away any time soon, and now more than ever there are ways for new players to get integrated quickly. I think this more than makes up for the lower activity levels. You really shouldn't have any problem finding ways to enjoy yourself if you like FFXI in general. I'll help new players in my LS with anything besides leveling. I really hate leveling.