5x xp on a 70 cap server isn't bad, you can cap in about a week. Just take your time if you get on a private server.
What I like and what you like may be two different things. I like the NO BOTS taking up space or ks'ing you or being a pain. That said, there are legits who like to KS or murder, and that's gonna be true anywhere you go in SRO.
I like BA and grinding for stones and selling. You can do trade runs if you don't feel like doing BA. For example, a 5* in Salvation from Jangan to Niya trader gets you about 10 million.
So, trading/hunting/thieving are more active than on iSRO, period. There is no CTF, no campfest, but there are events occasionally and active GM's.
Downsides are obvious: It's a pserver, all of them run the risk of being sued by JM or w/e. There are only two GM's and both work, so there may be times when they're not available. They are still much more available than ANY GM on iSRO.
Stones, drops, and gold are slightly higher. Alchemy is pretty much the same as iSRO. You won't see anyone with a +12 or +15 full blued set any time soon.
Forgotten World instance was revamped for Salvation. It's one helluva challenge now and your options are to invis it to first box, or get in a full 8 man party. very good sp/xp.
You can pretty much level with a 2-3 gap and then farm a little bit in guards or gens parties. Mobs are moved around quite a bit and there are no Euro areas as the players were getting too spread out. So Jangan and Hotan are the two major cities.
For more info, just head over to the salvation site,
http://silkroadsalvation.com.
I don't have a ton of pserver experience but I like Salvation a little better than Redster and ecsro. Mainly, getting in a good group of people is what you should aim for. Whether that's on isro or a pserver is up to you.
Have fun.
_________________

iSRO - AsparTame 8x - retired
Salvation - Aspar 70