The players in my campaign have all designed characters fairly young.
Barbarian/Cleric - 19 or 20, Character just had a birthday
Psion - Elven equivalent of 19
Bard - Pixie equivalent of late 20's
Thief - 18 or 19
Mage - 30's
Thief - Elven equivalent of mid 20's
Human Male Monk age 62. Hey, age comes with wisdom He's suppposed to be like the old monk in movies everyone underestimates. "get out of my way old man!" But with his 24+ wisdom he has very powerful stunning attacks, decent AC etc. The loss of physical stats didnt hurt too much... ive had him since 5th lvl, and he just gained his 14th.