Morgan Farm – Leesburg, Georgia

Leesburg second best to raise kids

LEESBURG, Ga. – Based on variables including school performance, crime statistics, cost of living and economic growth, Bloomberg BusinessWeek has determined that Leesburg is one of the two best places for families in Georgia.

The list of "America's Best, Affordable Places to Raise Kids" by Venessa Wong says they chose, for each state, "communities inhabited mostly by middle-income earners that have good public schools, low crime, and resources to keep the family entertained on weekends."

Leesburg meets these standards, the magazine editors say.

Winston Oxford, executive director of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce, said the list "validates what people who live in Leesburg feel."

Economically, Oxford said, "the cost of living is low and taxes are reasonable."

He did say, however, that "within the city limits, I think we're a couple years off from a real spike in commercial investment, but I see it coming in the future."

But the distinction of being named the second best place in the state to raise a family "warms my heart", Oxford said. "There is an excellent quality of life and amenities. And the quality of place is just unsurpassed anywhere. I look forward to it getting even better."