You will most likely get ganked in STV, I'd say stick to desolace. Then go to Badlands around 37 or 38.
Same thing happens there...
Nah. People try and jump me, and I rape the shit out of them. Sacrifice on VW (1000 damage absorbing shield for 30 seconds) + summon succubus > level 38 rogue, who ran like a fucking bitch away from me. 
STV will get you to 50+, so you won't be running into just 30s
