First, I agree with Brent: this is a fantastic image that even a pro would be proud of.

Regarding finding focus, I did a bit of research and tried about everything before finally finding my technique (I shoot with a Samyang 24 and also a 14, which is even more difficult to focus.) I use live view because I shoot with Sony, so that's a given. I also use focus magnification and I concentrate on a bright star or, if I have a bright distant light such as in your image, I might concentrate on one of the very-distant lights (if the distant lights are in focus, so will be the stars). If necessary, I'll temporarily bump up my ISO really high to make the pinpoints brighter in my viewfinder. Then, I slowly rock the focus ring back and forth and narrow in on the pinpoint until it is the smallest possible point -- because when the pinpoint is smallest, it is sharpest. I get better results than even using focus peaking.

First, I agree with Brent: this is a fantastic image that even a pro would be proud of.

Regarding finding focus, I did a bit of research and tried about everything before finally finding my technique (I shoot with a Samyang 24 and also a 14, which is even more difficult to focus.) I use live view because I shoot with Sony, so that's a given. I also use focus magnification and I concentrate on a bright star or, if I have a bright distant light such as in your image, I might concentrate on one of the very-distant lights (if the distant lights are in focus, so will be the stars). If necessary, I'll temporarily bump up my ISO really high to make the pinpoints brighter in my viewfinder. Then, I slowly rock the focus ring back and forth and narrow in on the pinpoint until it is the smallest possible point -- because when the pinpoint is smallest, it is sharpest. I get better results than even using focus peaking.

You don't need to get a telescope right away. You could mount your Camera and try various lenses to get a feel for the mount, and to enjoy it's native tracking abilities.
Then grow into a telescope and guiding as you progress.
The mount can be used for a lot of things, including a powered tripod to begin with.
But if you get an Equatorial mount now, or first, you can grow forward as you fall into the black hole.
And there's a bunch of us here to help you along. Bring your questions and thoughts, and by all means your images.

I rarely use my mount for my camera alone. But for the Solar Eclipse last August, with my Tamron 150-600mm and a solar filter, it was perfect!
Kept the Sun centered for the entire event and then some.

I use an 80 mm Triple Apochromatic telescope. I can mount my Nikon to it and use it for terrestrial, as well as extraterrestrial photography. I don't often, but could.
I decided when researching I wanted a true Astro Camera so I wouldn't beat my DSLR to death.
And by now, you are beginning to see why I call it a black hole.

Happy dreaming and shopping. I made 3 different wish lists with 3 different avenues of vendors. As I researched, I groomed the lists, then finally "pulled the trigger" on one.
I knew the learning curve would be steep, but I made it up, and in spite of a few boulders rolling down on me, I persevered.
You can as well.

You already have a great eye for your Photography. With a bit of the right equipment, there is no reason to not take in the Universe.
You are here.