Really? I downloaded iRO Valk after playing here for a year and some months (and only playing high rates before here) and didn't have any problems. It was frustrating to get 1/5th of the exp, but other than that I leveled without too many issues. Just got boring. I like PvPing/WoEing more than the endless grind of Valk (and I refused to pay for Kafra Shop items).
Might not take a tough player to level/farm on SHR, but as long as the max level/jlevel remain the same and customs aren't out of control it still takes similar skill to PvP/WoE. The difference, to me, is just grind time - which is more endurance than skill anyways.