Salem

I started playing a little bit ago, settled on Roanoke. Got my numbers up some, flattened out a nice area to settle at that is some distance away from town, and has nearly everything in relatively short distance. I have a bunch of baskets I've been keeping foraged items and low level food in.
So the last few days when I come on most of my baskets are emptied out, mushrooms and food gone, a couple fishing rods, etc. No biggie, easy to replace. Figuring I will make a claim, I flattened out an area for myself, intending to spend the silver today and put up a personal claim.
Today I log on though, and find that someone put a leanto up on my nice terraformed spot.
I am nowhere near strong enough as yet to dispute the theft or the leanto placement.

So my question is this: (considering game mechanics and politics and that people like to kill noobs anyway)
Which would be better for me as a new player - to continue with my plan to settle here or to find a new spot somewhere else where the stone/food thief isn't?
It took me the better part of 2 days to flatten out the claim area, I am not too good at terraforming; but that and one nails would be the only real loss if I move.

Edit to add:
I originally chose Roanoke because I like being a bit of a hermit and liked the idea of CG being peacekeepers on the server, as opposed to paying a tax or takign a chance with PK'er's mood/boredom on any given day (both as indicated by various forum threads). I am for myself not into raiding or pk'ing, though I do love the sandbox mmo.

If you claim overtop of the leanto, the owner will most likely have to abandon it...and you will be able to destroy the leanto. Or you can just move, its up to you.

Oh, don't ever wear a mask in Roanoke.
You'll probably forget to take it off some Sunday and get yourself killed by Candy Gang.

staxjax wrote:If you claim overtop of the leanto, the owner will most likely have to abandon it...and you will be able to destroy the leanto. Or you can just move, its up to you.

Exactly: if the leanto center is on your claim, you'll be able to destroy it without needing criminal acts. New characters can do it, with a bit of food, so it shouldn't be a problem with characters not fresh on the server. As a general rule, however, I would suggest moving anyway: a mine is invaluable in your claim, and the location which you settled in originally will in all likelihood not hold up for a large claim (most likely, did you pay attention to the biome originally?) Of course, the decision is all yours in the end.