7 things I love about Baldwin

1. I love that there are a bazillion places to eat on Grand Avenue. Did you ever count them? OMG, from Spices and A Touch of Italy down by the Southern State, passing McDonald’s, KFC, Tropical Jerk, Burger King, then there’s Applebee’s, and finally Wander Inn. Mimi’s Kitchen, Austin Grilled Chicken, and Chicken Holiday – the list goes on and on. Let’s not forget about the Baldwin Coach Diner on Sunrise. Get dressed up and attend an event at the Coral House. Throw in Dunkin Donuts and Carvel and Baldwin might become a dieter’s nightmare but it’s always a diner’s dream.

2. I love that there’s no place to park at the Baldwin Public Library, and I mean that in a good way. I think it’s the hallmark of an intelligent and well-read community that the library parking lot is almost never empty. There are people who wait at the door until the open in the morning, and those rush in just before closing. Everyone goes to the library — pre-schoolers, Zumba fanatics, students doing research for school projects and adults of every age.

3. I love how involved the community is in the schools. Parent Teacher Night at the high school is always well attended and you can find the same committed parents at the elementary and middle school levels as well. My husband and I were a regular fixture at the middle school for Know Your School Night, and at this point we really know our schools. Plays and concerts are packed with enthusiastic friends and family, and the holiday concert at Plaza is priceless — with parents waving to their happy holiday carolers singing about dreidels, Christmas trees and Feliz Navidad. Even the alumni come back in droves for events like Sportsnite at the high school and sing along at the concerts.