I have a cannibalistic, evil pure mage who I have always dreamed of making a vampire as well (to fulfill the ultimately selfish psychopathic profile) but have avoided it because I've wanted to develop some of his mage skills first. He's currently level 38. When is the most ideal time to start grooming a vampire (at what level)?

Appreciate any help.

When your restoration hits 70 and you take the necromage perk.

Best time?

For me, it was straight out of Helgen. Then wait a week to reach Stage 4 and then enter Riverwood.

...at least prior to Dawnguard.

Too funny. But I think he is asking for helpful advice, not how to get his [censored] handed to him by the local constabulary.

How did you get yourself out of that one anyway? Fight your way through all the locals, calm them with your Imperial racial power, or run like heck?