Money Magazine recently ranked Lake Mary Florida fourth in its list of the top ten best places to live in America. The only Florida city to make the list in 2007, Lake Mary Florida is nestled right between the two tourist giants of Orlando and Daytona. In the past this small town might have gotten lost in the shuffle, but now it is its size and charm that are making people take notice!

It can be exciting to live in a big city with all of its events, nightlife and career opportunities. Eventually, most people find themselves starting a family and looking for a place to live with good schools and a sense of community. That is why residents of Lake Mary Florida, with its award-winning schools, palm tree lined streets and community involvement think it is one of the best towns in America to raise a family.

Here are a few reasons why families may find Lake Mary Florida so attractive:

Location

Located just 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Orlando and 45 minutes from the white sandy beaches of Daytona, Lake Mary Florida residents truly have the best of both worlds. They enjoy living in the quiet comfort of their small town while having complete access to all of the careers, activities, cultural and educational opportunities provided in a the big cities.

Economy

Such close proximity to Orlando, with its many theme parks and hospitality-oriented businesses, means that Lake Mary residents have a high number of job opportunities. Many residents, however, find that the job opportunities within Lake Mary Florida itself are enough. National companies like Ruth's Chris Steak House and AAA have chosen to locate their headquarters in Lake Mary Florida, providing a major boost to the small town's economy.

There is no better way to gauge this boost than on a weekday during rush hour. Jobs in Lake Mary Florida draw so many people to the town that on weekdays the population more than doubles from less than 14,000 to 35,000 as commuters blanket the city -- fueling service-orientated businesses like restaurants, dry cleaners and retail establishments.

City Amenities

While Lake Mary Florida is considered to be a small town, residents still have plenty of amenities to keep them busy. Recent growth has resulted in new shopping complexes, fitness centers and restaurants. The Timacuan Golf Course, located right in the center of town, provides the perfect escape for golf lovers. Nearby lakes offer boating and fishing opportunities as well.

The public school system in Lake Mary Florida is known district-wide as being one of the best. Lake Mary High School, in particular, has been recognized nationally in Newsweek Magazine when it was touted as one of the top 1% of high schools in the country. Students at the award-winning school earned the district's highest ACT composite scores as well as the highest FCAT writing scores.

Community

Residents of Lake Mary Florida are quick to point out that while the location and career opportunities are appealing, the close-knit community is the main reason they have chosen to raise their families here.

From monthly Lake Mary Movies in the Park and other planned special events throughout the year, Lake Mary Florida strives to bring the community together.

On any given Saturday morning, residents can find neighbors and friends at the Lake Mary Farmer's Market held at City Hall. Not your typical Farmer's Market, the Lake Mary Farmer's Market features booths with handmade candles, soups, organic coffee, specialty pastas and essential oils as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Lake Mary Florida offers an excellent location, thriving economy, close-knit community and an award winning school district. All of these reasons, plus many more, are why residents say Lake Mary Florida an excellent choice for settling down and raising a family!