Flying is fun. But it's kind'a like a Jetski, it's more fun when there's another Jetski along.
Flying at the field with others seems to complete the package for me.

Do you have to start with an instructor? You decide. What's the risk? Are there children around? An unsafe practice that you may not be aware of? I believe you'll appreciate your decision to go to the field. If you continue with flying at the open field at home, great. But I'll bet you'll begin to look forward to the trip to the field. Meeting for breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning on the way to the field is often better than the flying.