Johnson County cities pop up on those ubiquitous “Best of ….” lists quite often, which is a testament to the strengths of our local communities.

It’s encouraging to see the cities get this recognition, which ultimately can help attract more residents and business leaders looking for areas with a high quality of life.

The importance of keeping top-rated schools in Johnson County also quickly becomes evident when reading why cities have received national attention. Usually, offering a very strong K-12 educational system is high on the list of priorities, along with housing costs and income levels.

Recently, Lenexa was named by Bloomberg Businessweek as one of its “Best Places to Raise Kids” for 2013. It was the only metropolitan area city on the list.

Kudos to Lenexa, the “City of Festivals,” which has managed to keep much of its small-town charm even while its population has surged to nearly 50,000 residents.

But other Johnson County cities have hauled home other awards.

Overland Park this year finished in ninth place in Money Magazine’s annual “Best Places to Live” rankings (which Lenexa has appeared on as well). The magazine praised Overland Park’s “friendly neighbors,” farmers market, arboretum and “world-class soccer fields.”

The honor did come with a caveat: “Nightlife is a little skimpy, but Kansas City is nearby for a late night escape.”

Olathe showed up as No. 57 on the 2012 Money Magazine list, highlighted for its rich history in sports “and a real sense of community.”

Indeed, Olathe — as well as Overland Park, Lenexa and several other nearby cities — belong on these kinds of rankings because residents have worked hard to create good places to live in Johnson County.

No city is perfect. But these cities are competitive with each other while striving to retain their high-quality schools and vibrant neighborhoods.