You can use the arrows in vim by default, no problem with that. For example, all my current co-workers use vim and I'm the only one who navigates using HJKL. W

You can use the arrows in vim by default, no problem with that. For example, all my current co-workers use vim and I'm the only one who navigates using HJKL. With that said, I really really recommend any vim user to at least give a shot at using it instead of arrow keys. YMMV, but for me, not having to reach for the arrows help me stay in the zone.