ArcticMC is a brand new SMP that started just a couple days ago and it feels pretty calm and welcoming.
It is a Towny and factions style survival server so you can build a town claim land make alliances and fight for territory. PVP matters here but they run an honor system for how fights should go and it is explained in their rules.
It also has McMMO skills so you level up while you play and unlock special abilities as you get stronger. There are custom items too including furniture that is entity based and they plan to limit it per chunk to help with lag.
The world uses Tectonic generation so the terrain looks more realistic with big mountains and nice valleys and it makes building and exploring feel way cooler.
