For me in retirement, escaping winter is the top factor. Golf 12 months a year without layers of sweaters/jackets is great. Pretty much every metro area has decent courses.
A bigger question is whether to drop a big initiation fee for a private club, given the financial struggles and bankruptcy problems of clubs today. With more public access and declining greens fees, pay-as-you-go is an attractive option. The key is finding a good regular group of players. All I want is golf. The more holes the better. I don't want tennis, pool, health club, dining, or any of that overhead. Certainly not a home in a "golf community".
Architecture is certainly a consideration, but not the main one. Doak 4 or better is good enough. All courses, public or private, have "feel" to them in both the play and the general service attitude. It's hard to characterize, but that plays heavy into a decision as to where to play.