I found this server called FolksMC and it feels like a tight little community that actually wants more people to join. The world has been running since August this year so it is not super new but not old and dead either.

It is a semi vanilla SMP so it feels like normal Minecraft but there are a few simple plugins. There is a home command so you can get back to your base. There are gravestones so you can find your stuff when you die. There is a Discord to Minecraft chat link so people can talk even when they are not in game.

The server has three main factions right now. They are called The Mercs Hearth and Tabasco. You can tour the server and then pick one of those or you can invite your friends and start your own faction. It seems like they really want people to team up and build things together.

There is a SimpleMineCart plugin so you can travel by rails without needing powered rails. There is a Timber plugin so chopping trees is faster. There is also GSit so you can sit on stairs and relax. The whole server feels like survival with small quality of life changes and a focus on friendly players who want to help build up the world.