I recently returned after a 3 yr break (quit about a week after the 1st Abyssea was released). What I have personally done is this:
Lvled my 75 jobs to 99
Bought an AH weapon to get me by for now
Bought the Aby armor
+1'd / +2'd some of my old gear like Assassin Armlets and AF3
Currently doing Reives and getting Bayld Armor
There are some pretty decent weapons on the AH for "cheap" (I know that is a relative term). Watch for VW / Aby / Reive shouts and jump in where you can.
Edited, May 21st 2013 9:34am by IKickYoDog