Is Sanford Killing My Social Life? First-Time Homebuyer in the Triangle, Help!

I'm a first-time homebuyer in the Triangle area. Raleigh and Chapel Hill might be out of my reach, and Durham could work, but it might mean settling in a less desired neighborhood. That brings Sanford into play. It's within my budget, but I'm concerned about the lack of activities and young people there. Anyone living in Sanford have thoughts on the social scene? I work in the southwest of the Triangle, ruling out places like Clayton, Wake Forest, and Wendell. Remote work is not an option, and I don't have friends in Raleigh, so making new ones is a priority. At this point, I'm definitely crossing Sanford off my list. The idea of moving there just feels off.