I'm leaning more towards hate, this community prompted me to download EVE last night and jump back in after 8 years and I thought I'd left it behind for good.
I was in Sinq Liaison when I logged back in, right on the edge of Pochven. Thinking about moving over to Verge Vendor though and living in low sec. I was always a HS miner/producer but want to see what I can do in low.
Might I recommend checking out FW groups? I don't think I'd advise signing your indy char up for a militia but many of the lowsec groups have alternate (out of FW) corps that they blue and work together with for their indy needs. Might be a nice way to still do indy stuff, learn lowsec, and build a bit of a support network.
I can't speak to the indy side but most of the lowsec FW pvp groups are very casual, come and go as you please. No need to defend and hold space, no mandatory CTA's ect. I assume indy might be the same. Might be a way for you to still play somewhat solo but reap the benefits of a network and strength in numbers.