Irulan, buy the expensive boots to start (foot comfort is super, super important) but look at starting with something like a used high-end rental. Also, check your local Nordic group's classifieds. The racing crowd upgrades pretty regularly and you can score some nice, already saturated skis that way.

You'll develop your own rhythm and figure it out. I rarely V1 anymore, and seem to favor V2 and V2 alternate. it's just easier for me.

I could give you a 1000 pieces of advice but won't (unless asked) I skate a lot, especially this year. Fortunately, we have a lot of places to ski (many of them free) and they are never that crowded (especially the very hilly areas). This year I have been doing a lot of skiing after work, in the dark with a headlamp. It adds and interesting dimension to the exercise. You really have to be ready for anything (like a moose darting out of the bushes). And it's fun.

Enjoy the learning process. Yes, a lot of it is about strength, but I think more of it is about efficiency (and heart and lungs, to be sure). And wax.