Change few low-mid size towns to "safe zones" where you cant PvP and beginners can roam getting some very basic loot like makarovs, food and drinks. To make it bit more interesting you could add a bit more zombies to that area. That way beginners would only have to worry about zeds, get something to get rid of them and then exit to other towns to get better loot. I doubt these safe zones would have bandits right next to it waiting for them, since they wouldnt even have any worthwhile loot. I still think this isnt needed. start is hard, only one pistol would make it alot easier since you cant enter houses with loot because there is always zeds. Most of the times if you get killed by bandit its because you are in way too big town, alone, and cant move carefully.