The communities of Columbia and Ellicott City together remain one of the top 10 best places to live in the United States, ranking No. 8 on the CNN/Money Magazine list of America’s best small cities.
“Families in this pair of unincorporated cities get to enjoy living in a community with a diverse population, reasonable housing costs, terrific schools, miles of hiking trails and a new development, Blandair Park, which will include 20 acres of forest, wetlands, meadows and a historic farm complex,” raved the blurb on Columbia and Ellicott City, which is available at this link.
Columbia Association (CA) serves a mission of welcoming diversity, respecting the land and fostering the growth of people.
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“It’s wonderful to see that CNN/Money Magazine again recognizes what so many Columbia and county residents have long seen,” said CA President Phil Nelson. “With pathways and tot lots, lakes and ponds, pools and fitness facilities, as well as community services and programs, CA works to help our community stay active and to keep our environment attractive.”
This is not the first Top 10 finish for Columbia and Ellicott City in the CNN/Money Magazine rankings: they were No. 4 in 2006, No. 8 in 2008 and No. 2 in 2010. Other years’ rankings focused on what were considered small towns rather than small cities.
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“This top 10 ranking shows yet again that Howard County continues to be an attractive destination,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “Columbia Association has served our residents for 45 years and has helped make this area special. I’m proud to call this community my home, and I’m glad to work alongside CA to continue to keep this county a place we are all proud of.”
The best small city in America in 2012 is Carmel, Ind., according to the list. Rounding out the Top 10 are McKinney, Texas; Eden Prairie, Minn.; Newton, Mass.; Redmond, Wash.; Irvine, Calif.; Reston, Va.; Overland Park, Kan.; and Chapel Hill, N.C.
The other Maryland communities recognized this year were Waldorf (No. 20), Gaithersburg (23) and Germantown (24).
