So today in my infinite rage I scoured the internet for leveling tips. Fuck grinding my way to the top, Neogaf has an awesome, very helpful guide for leveling.
There is still some grinding, in particular (for me) the PVP. I like the strikes so getting the vanguard stuff isn't too bad.
Another thing I find a lot easier about the strategy I was talking about earlier, well two things really. The first, just buy the green engrams the cryptarch has (if he has them) because it levels you up faster. For every cryptarch level you get a package in the mail. If you grind the dark beyond mission for a couple hours, not only will you have engrams to decode, which level you up a lot, but you will have enough glimmer to power your way through at least a level of the cryptarch, which in my experience nets you a legendary engram.
The second thing is since it is a mission, there is no sharing of the kills. Once you get the pattern down, it's pretty easy to get 30+ kills in about 2 minutes. At least 4 waves of enemies in a single wax idol thing.
Anyways back to the no grinding, or at least less grinding. Just play the strikes, PVP, and get your reputation up through that. Time consuming, but at least you aren't standing in one spot for 4 hours praying for a good drop. The only problem with legendary and exotic gear is the level up requirements for their stats.
The ascendant whatevers in particular. I only have 6 total, every + defense (which raises light by +2) takes at least 6. Then there is the getting materials like spinmetal, which is slightly cumbersome.
Anyways, hope I can help. If you really want that guide, go to Neogaf, find the Destiny OT4, and in the OP it has links to the guides. It has me much less frustrated, I even leveled today after not much effort on my part. Hell I might have hit 27 if I hadn't ran out of glimmer.