BY MATT HERSH

Many Salem residents would say they love their hometown because it has everything they need – easy access to Boston and the beach, good schools, reasonable taxes and lots of scenic beauty.

Now, the town’s many offerings have been recognized by Money magazine, which ranked Salem among the top 100 communities in the nation with populations under 50,000.

Named the 85th best place to live, Salem topped more than 2,800 communities from across the country. The magazine based its rankings on employment rate, health, economic condition, diversity, home prices and green space.

Most residents interviewed said they recognize all of the benefits Salem has to offer, and they’re not looking to go anywhere else.

“We moved here five years ago from Pelham because we knew it is a great place to live,” said Tracey Hoover, a mother of four who cited the school system and town resources as reasons for loving Salem.

As years go by, Salem continues to offer more commercial locations for businesses, which has brought increased revenue and a growing population. Some residents said this adds to the town’s traffic problems, but it doesn’t disrupt the scenic areas.

“You don’t ever really have to leave because everything you need is here,” said Maureen Sullivan, who has lived in Salem for 22 years.  “I think its a great family town.”

Younger residents said they love Salem because it has been and will always be, their hometown.

“I love it because it’s so scenic, and all of my friends are here,” said 13-year-old Maxwell Zsofka. “I probably wouldn’t want to move anywhere else.”

But mostly, people said they stay in Salem because of the relationships they have formed in town.

“We have great people here,” said Jonathan Smith, who has lived in Salem for 43 years. “I have good neighbors and good friends and that’s what keeps me here.”

Town officials said it’s the community’s offerings that make it a great place to start a family.

Community Development Director William Scott cited institutions that make the community work, such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Ingram Senior Center.

 “People here care about children and senior citizens,” he said. “They also care about things like taxes and infrastructure.”

Scott said the town’s growth and popularity are likely to continue in the future as the Interstate 93 expansion project moves forward and the town works on developing a more comprehensive commuter system.

Town Manager Henry La-Branche echoed Scott’s thoughts, saying the town is able to cater to every sector of the population.

“I think there are a couple of factors that stand out,” he said. “One is economic stability because there’s an excellent balance of commercial and residential to support the school district and town services. The other thing is quality of life.

The municipal side works hard to maintain a high level of services in all areas.”

To view Money magazine’s full list of the top places to live in the nation, visit money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/.