Some minor spoilers here.
Settlement is easy but a bit tedious.
Simple rules:
1. You cannot keep anything when you leave, even what you are wearing or holding. You get a few things on exit based on quests you complete- like knife, tent, tool, etc.
2. Containers continually refresh with bits of loot. Do not store things in containers. See #3.
3. The Still, in the building to the right of entrance, is a stable container. It is almost always loaded with tools, weapons, miscellaneous quest items, armor, etc. This is all left by players. (I started it
There is also a crate by the Tribal in a tent in the far southwest of the Hunting Grounds which is a stable container. It is mostly full of meat.
Near there there are often spare tents, broc flowers/xanders, and sharpened poles to help with the "tent quest".
Also left by players.
4. Don't hoard in settlement- you can't keep it, and containers aside from the 2 I mentioned will delete everything.
5. The "Thrasher Quest"- guy takes your jacket. Make sure it is not a good one (+carry weight, poison ress, etc.)
6. Trade radscorpion tails to doctor (in side room of crafting building just north of entry) for antidotes.
7. To left of doctor is a tent with a guy selling tools. You can skip this or shovel poop for the caps. You can't keep the caps when you leave.
8. Random item quest giver in farm area sometimes asks for impossible or almost impossible things. Just move on if this happens.
9. This is enough for now.
PS: please don't load the Still down with heavy stuff like sharpened poles, ropes, primitive tools, meat.
There are enough tools and weapons stored now to supply everyone who comes through, especially if they donate their stuff on the way out.
Just stock ammo and materials, only replacing gear that is deteriorated or removed from game by noobs/etc. who put stuff in containers or try to leave with it.
PPS: Be careful with the Barber- it is possible to get a skin that will completely mess up your ability to function. Especially if you do it right before you leave.
Also: MEAT is useless. Drop it.