Buying decks is expensive, are proxy decks a viable route?

Hi! Like many here my friends and I got into commander via precons a few years ago (Food and Fellowship and Party Time for the win!), and absolutely love it!

Since then I’ve been watching some shows like Command Zone etc, and the more I watch the more I want to experiment with other decks. I’d even love to get out to a LGS sometime and try playing with new people!

To me the enjoyment of MTG is actually playing the game itself with a deck I enjoy, and I don’t personally get any crazy enjoyment from chasing expensive cards in packs or really care if the cards I have are worth any value (for me I view it as a fun game not an investment).

I mention that last part because as I look to build and buy cards for decks, buying official cards easily goes over $100 (and way more in some cases), which to me is way above what I am interested in or able to pay.

But I still love the game and don’t want to be priced out of playing a deck I want just because I can’t afford it!

So my question is how do you all do it? Is buying Proxies frowned upon if I even find an online seller that sells proxy decks like that?

I wouldn’t want to show up to a LGS with a “proxy deck” if that is frowned upon or a taboo.

I’m curious to hear the best buying avenues for decks starting from scratch!