Lake Mary

Lake Mary is a fast growing city in Seminole County, Florida.  Located nearly 18 miles north of Orlando Lake Mary became an attractive place to live and experienced a 32.2% increase in population from 2000 to July 2008 Census numbers.  The city had 15,143 residents in July 2008 and still is growing.  Lake Mary is part of the Orlando-Kissimmee Metropolitan Statistical Area and is only a short drive down Interstate 4 into Orlando.  The history is quite unique and the city was only incorporated a few decades ago but has been around far longer.  Recently Lake Mary was voted as Florida’s number one small town to live in as well.

The history of Lake Mary began when the South Florida Railroad built a stop in Lake Mary in 1887.  Before this the area was not on the map and sparsely settled.  This was an area that grew lots of citrus and the railroad stop allowed the citrus to be shipped out easily.  After the area was more established by the early settlers Lake Mary began getting tourists from northern states.  The area has been drawing tourism ever since but was slow to get incorporated.  It took until August 7, 1973 until Lake Mary finally incorporated into a city.

Lake Mary is home to a number of great festivals and events put on by the city each year.  The city hosts a weekly farmers market too on Saturdays.  Some big events are the Lake Mary car show in the beginning of the year, the St Patrick’s festival in March, the Halloween party and the Christmas activities but when you look at the city calendar of activities you notice every day has something going on so soon an event you like will be happening if you cannot make them all.

For those in the area who want higher education then Lake Mary is a hub with two places in town and many more a short drive away.  The two in Lake Mary are:

• Seminole Community College
• ITT Technical Institute

The ones that are an easy commute from Lake Mary to campus are:

• University of Phoenix – Orlando Campus
• Rollins College
• University of Central Florida
• Valencia Community College
• Stetson University
• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

In addition to the events Lake Mary puts on there are many other ways to be outdoors and find enjoyment.  The great lakes and parks in this city make you want to enjoy them daily.  Lake Mary calls itself the “City of Lakes” and this is true by the pristine quality water and picturesque parks throughout the city.  Some example of the lakes and parks are:

• Lake Mary
• Lake Como
• Crystal Lake
• Dawson Lake
• Bingham Lake
• Lake Emma
• Splash Park
• Skate Park
• Central Park
• Liberty Park
• Trailhead Park

Lake Mary also has some great sports complexes and a senior center that have many activities going on all the time.  In the August 2007 issue of Money Magazine Lake Mary was ranked the #4 best place to live in America.  Lake Mary was also ranked the #1 best small town in Florida to live.  The area has great communities and highly rated schools that draw in great companies to be based here.  This has let Lake Mary continue to grow when many other areas are having trouble.  The crime rate in Lake Mary is one of the lowest in the state as well.  This all makes Lake Mary an excellent city to live in and still is easy enough to commute to Orlando when needed.