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No. 5. Orlando, Fla.
Population: 1,966,680
Median home price: $267,000
Number of public courses: 86
Median green fee: $49

THE GOLF: Half the PGA Tour calls Orlando home, so you could have a famous neighbor. ("Tiger, can I borrow a cup of money?") There's sweet public access, starting with Bay Hill, where guests tee it up at the King's place; an Old Course replica at Grand Cypress; and 36 holes at Greg Norman's Champions Gate. Unheralded gems include Black Bear, DeBary and Remington.

THE REST: If you've got kids, the House of Mouse is in your backyard (with five courses onsite). Bet you didn't know that Orlando's a sniff away from rural Old Florida, a serene oasis of spring-fed lakes and weathered oaks.

You might run into Arnie here: the 13th at Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

Credit: Tom Breazeale/Bay Hill Club and Lodge

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