You are missing the important, nee *vital* detail, that there is a simply massive difference in player population whether you are in Open or even one of the largest PvE groups out there. If you want the background population, and care not for PvP combat, then you are basically stuck without a natural "home". You can go into a lesser populated mode to avoid the PvP combat that just isn't how you want to enjoy your leisure time. But that changes your experience of the game. -OR- you can immerse yourself in a more populated mode (apparently?) but in doing so you must change your entire approach if you are to have any hope of surviving a 3,000DPS alpha strike. Which changes your experience of the game.
If your approach is obviously incorrect for the situation, then you should obviously change your approach.
Obviously.