I suggest that you start out in the city that you want to start out in. Really, because past the first 20 levels, you'll be in Jeuno (the main city) 90% of the time anyway.

And once you hit lvl 10, you'll be out of the starting city and partying in the dunes. So yeah, the starting city is your "home" but you won't actually be spending a lot of time there unless you're leveling a newbie job, a craft, or simply being you like to hang out there. Of course the 3rd reason only applies to Windy and Sandy, because who the heck would want to just hang out and chill in the asscrack of Vanadiel?

No, I don't think you should choose Bastok simply because your friends are there. Go with the city that feels most like home to you. You'll meet up with your friends soon enough.