Looking to relocate to NC (Eagle Springs, Carthage, Southern Pines area) (Five Points: fit in, rent)

[jazzmoon]

My husband and I are looking to relocate to NC in the next 2-3 years, but would like to purchase property in the near future. We are looking to buy 45+ acres (with or without a home). If it has a home, we would rent it out until we are ready to move.

I haven't been to NC in a long, long time and I don't think my husband has done more than drive through over 20 years ago. We currently live on a 50 acre farm in Canada with numerous horses and would like to continue our current lifestyle, but in a warmer clime. (My husband is a U.S. citizen, but from NYC, so not sure how we'd fit in.)

What I would like to know is what there is in the way of nightlife, shopping, etc. in the outlying areas. We are not much for going out, so it's not a huge deal. About the only places I go to (aside from work, which is a 45 min. commute) are Costco and the feed mill.

I would also like to join a hunt club and continue with my horse activities. I have looked online at properties in the Southern Pines/Five Points area, but the larger properties are very expensive (understandable) or part of a "community", i.e. lots of restrictions, forced easements, etc. which we don't care for.

We are friendly people, but tend to keep to ourselves as do most of our neighbours. If anyone needs a hand, we are all there to help out, but otherwise we are all busy with our own lives and don't have much time for socializing. (I work 2 jobs, my closest neighbours have their own business which is 24/7 "on call" work...you get the picture.)

Any ideas you could share would be greatly appreciated.

(P.S. - If this should be in a more local area board, please let me know.)