My life as a noob

[Vihart]

The thing that really puts me off is the bright big red skull on the map, asking to get raided.

i kinda see what you mean, but whether pclaim or vclaim, it will be seen anyways, unless you go nomadic and do not farm.
if you can afford time for metals, crossroad makes it safer for you to travel in and out without key alts, which gives you a compensatory enough advantages, imo.

I know i will be seen ^^ but i hear more stories about villages getting raided (maybe because they are more rewarding when raided) than hermit claims, then again perhaps thats because its a bigger deal with lots of people and lost resources.
But i am starting to feel rather tempted to get a village idol now :/

[aso11]

It's a good investment if you can support the auth alone.

[Phaen]

i hear more stories about villages getting raided [...] than hermit claims

It happens plenty... it's just people get laughed at if they brag about raiding solo players.