25? Abyss doesn't change anything really. It just gives you another zone that gives 25% more XP for PvE kills and a extremely high chance of being ganked. The only thing that changes at 25 is getting the first instance, training camp, that gives 50-60% of your level in XP but its 15(?) hour lock out and you can't go after hitting 29.

Once you hit 29 it's back to everything you mentioned above but now the grind is getting exponentially worse and you need to compete with bots in the PvE zones.

You should also make mention of Bots and the economy. Not only do the bots annoy people because you have to fight them for good spawns, quest mobs, etc but they are ruining the economy. I know on Lumiel they have started crafting now! They fill the AH with cheap potions/etc that you cannot hope to compete with since they have multiple farmer bots going to get the mats.