Brand New Druid Blues

[acemac]

I have a hlf druid I just started and I seem like I have hit a wall in misty thicket. I am still using the starting club and it seems like at lvl 5 this place is no longer worth staying at. the area beyond the wall is OK but the down time seems longer then it should be. so 2 questions.

1. should I stay in rivervale or should I be heading to another stating area?
2. will upgrading my club make me kill faster at this lvl or do I just need to stick it out? what is a good cheep or free upgrade to the starting club?