For that kind of money I’d be sticking both a used XC MTB and a gravel or monstercross in the shed. Or vice versa. Then sell them both and buy a better version of the one you enjoyed riding most?
Frexample, after similarly being off riding for years (through health), I (by luck more than design) found that I enjoyed climbing more on a 27.5lb Genesis Vagabond (rigid 29er monstercross thing) than I did on my 27lb Cannondale CAAD3 hardtail MTB (previous favourite climber).
Ultimately, I traded the monstercross in for something more boring (but predictably MTB) yet the drop-bar light-XC bug bit me. If you like rock gardens forget it. But fireroads, long paths, fast-rolling singletrack – I found that drop bars with 2 inch tyres is an utter hoot,fun and motivating. YMMV. Though I probably wouldn’t make the jump spending that much without riding a demo/borrowing/hiring first.
My first adult bike pre-MTB era was a light steel road bike and I used to fit cyclocross tyres to get through woodlands etc)
The recent experience of a better drop-bar offroad has left me thinking that once I get fitter and lighter and richer then there is most likely a place for another adventure/gravel/monster/thing, ie maybe a Bombtrack Hook EXT, Genesis Fugio, maybe even a Space Chicken I don’t what will be around in a few years. Being sensible, getting closer to 60yrs old I’ll need to begin to think about what style of offroading is best to serve me in the future