OP:
My 2 kids are home schooled. They also have more friends than I can shake a stick at (not that I'd shake sticks at kids
). They're both in several after school activities and there are also a lot of home school group activities like art, skiing, music. Think of anything done in a public school and there's a homeschool version of it most likely in your town. Plus we live in a neighborhood where every home has a kid or two or three. All the kids in the neighborhood are friends. So there is absolutely no issue with socialization or lack of friends or anything like that.
In our state, home school kids have the option to take the public school standardized tests. Both my kids consistently score 2 grades above where they should be for all subjects. I don't know if that's cuz they're really smart or my wife does a really good job, either way, it's working out very well so far.
Having said all that....it's not easy. My wife does the primary teaching, and I help out here and there. But for her it is definitely a full time job. Don't go into it unless you truly commit and don't treat it like a part time job. Either you're in or you're not, don't 1/2 a$$ it.
Also I know the stereotype is homeschooler = ultra religious. That is somewhat true, but in our community of families we know, religion plays a small role. We're not religious whatsoever.
Anyway my 2 cents worth on the subject. PM me if you have any questions, I'm always happy to share on this subject.