No...
Not at all.
The game was better balanced when I started, skipping all the content and hopping into a Python after a few days just wasn’t an option, credits came slower and one would often experiment with multiple activities in multiple ships to gradually build up wealth.
I actually feel sorry for you and other newcomers to the game.
I agree with you totally. I had no time to play such a game when it started, then 2/3 years back I resisted jumping in because I knew being late would have this issue but now 5 years on, couldn't resist.
If Star Citizen ever happens........