returning to EQ from a long AFK some question

[tingling]

i played eq from POP to GOD and then stopped...

I am going to install when i get home a roll a character but i am not sure about a couple of things and i just have a few questions.

1. are the newbie zones totally empty? will i have to solo a lot?

2. what zones tipically have some ppl in them?

3. if i rolled a Iksar SK or monk am i going to regret it down the road? i never played a sk or monk that wasn't twinked to hell will i have a hard time soloing when i can't find a group?

any help would be really appreciated!