Bringing back an old topic after it came up on the first page of two specific searches I ran.
The real estate market has changed rather dramatically since 2005 and wondering if thoughts on the topic are different.
I was surprised there wasn't more discussion on Pinehurst NC. It seems to meet the requirements set. Weather seems nice, can't find too many places with the quantity of quality golf courses, close to Raleigh/Durham for both air and culture, real estate falls right into the range mentioned, cost of living seems low (not sure about the tax burden).
Some of the downsides to Pinehurst, specifically the resort, would seem to be a lack of walking (there appears to be a walking club at the resort but limited primarily to twilight) and the lack of privacy with rather crowded courses.
Here is the list of courses mentioned back in 05:
Lake Oconee/Greensboro, GA – Cuscowilla/Reynolds Plantation
Charleston, SC – Yeamons Hall/Kiawah
Bend, OR
Pensacola, FL area
Southern Pines/Pinehurst, NC
Albuquerque, NM
Portland, OR
Denver, CO
Athens, GA
Jupiter, FL area
Tucson, AZ
Carmel, CA
Melbourne Australia area
Palm Springs, CA
Costa Rica
Austin, TX area
Phoenix area
Saint Andrews Scotland
Southport, NC
Knoxville, TN area
Hilton Head, SC area
Asheville, NC area
Waco, TX
Chapel Hill, NC
Portland, ME
Savannah, GA
McCall, ID
Williamsburg, VA
Traverse City, MI
Shenandoah Valley, VA
Columbus, OH