Actually, you could start in route 1 or even in Viridian city if you want :)
If you start in route 1, Tepig will be lv5, and you can catch some pokémon if you want.
If you start in Viridian, you'll only have Tepig, but it will be lv 8.
yes it's fine. sorry I haven't added you to front post yet... it's been a it hectic recently. I'll try and have everything sorted out by the weekend at the latest...