Now, I understand where you're coming from and you're absolutely right about some things but... what is the problem with claiming, economy, etc.? You should be able to just ignore all that and focus on survival. I once played on a faction server but simply turned off all PVP so that I could fully concentrate on survival.
However... that obviously does depend on the server. Yah, this is the classic server dilemma: finding a good balance between Minecraft and "enhanced" Minecraft. And it makes sense: would you enjoy spending a few hours on a build only to see it getting blown up by griefers? I'm pretty sure that a vast majority of players doesn't care about that nonsense and simply wants to.. I dunno, actually enjoy themselves? ;)
Having said that I do happen to know a server which does a good job of trying to combine the whole lot: both claiming / teleporting / etc / etc and regular survival play. In fact: they don't even have claiming, at all, but still have protected stuff.
The server is called Empire Minecraft and what makes it stand out from the rest is its world separation. Every one of their 9 servers has a town world: here you have a plot of 64x64x64 (give or take) and which is protected by default. Go into the mining or survival world otoh (these are called the wastelands & the frontier) and you'll end up in full survival mode. For example: you enter the world from one of many outposts and once you travel into the world the only way to get out is to go back to one of those outposts again. No teleporting, no nonsense, go back the way you came. There are a few enhancements: a compass actually works there and will, by default, point you to the closest outpost.
You also don't claim land there, so that's also no issue. However... you claim blocks. It's a long story ;) But in the end you'll end up in a world where you end up with full survival play.
Heck... building in the wasteland is not suggested because the world resets every so many times (usually 4 times per year) and it could go unannounced (hardly, but... it's something to keep in mind). However... that's exactly what I have done in the past: enter the wasteland with nothing, and then try to survive in there with only the resources available to me. And the best part... the moment I want back to safety I simply go to an outpost, tp back into town and I have all the luxiouries of town again.
Maybe something to consider?
