By Anthony Rifilato
The magazine's annual Top 100 Places to Live issue hit newsstands last week, with Baldwin ranking an impressive 25th, one of only three towns in New York and the only one on Long Island to make the list. Middleton, Wis., was ranked No. 1.
Money lauded Baldwin as a "haven for families" that draws a diverse population, with people moving to the community for its great schools as well as its proximity to healthy job markets and beaches. The magazine also cited Baldwin Park, with its slew of amenities, including the skate park, roller rink and spray pool, among many other activities. "Community boosters are everywhere," the magazine wrote, "helping to keep the area's charm, even as it copes with fast growth."
Money's 2007 list focused on smaller communities, with populations above 7,500 and under 50,000. The magazine also focused on towns that "offered the best combination of economic opportunity, good schools, safe streets, things to do and a real sense of community." The two other New York towns that made the list were Eastchester and Nanuet.
Baldwin, with a population of 23,100, scored better than other cities on the list when it came to student test scores, crime, the number of restaurants, bars, movie theaters and museums within a 15-mile radius, proximity to colleges and more. Its median family income - $91,593 - as well as its air quality index also ranked above average.
"When the news reached the Baldwin community, residents were so excited that you could see people rolling down their car windows and shouting it to their neighbors," said Sue Cools, a local real estate agent who is president of the Baldwin Rotary Club. "We're all very proud of this."
Indeed, the national attention has created a positive buzz throughout the community, and only reaffirmed what many have been saying for years: that Baldwin is a great place to live, raise a family and do business. "It's great to have national recognition for something we've known for a long time," said Doris Duffy, co-president of the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. "It's great to be able to point to something that's not connected to [the chamber] and say, 'Look, they see what we see.' It's a confirmation of what we all feel about the town."
Attention long overdue
For Duffy and many others, the national recognition comes at a time when Baldwin is on the cusp of a major revitalization. The Town of Hempstead already has three major developers vying to redevelop the west side of Grand Avenue and Merrick Road - which is expected to be home to national, high-end retailers - while a Best Buy is expected to open later this summer on Sunrise Highway.
There have also been a number of beautification projects in recent years, ranging from a major façade improvement at the Baldwin LIRR station to upgrades at Baldwin Park, not to mention a recently expanded, state-of-the-art library that opened in 2005, just across the street from the Baldwin Fire Department headquarters, which also completed a major expansion and overhaul in 2004.
"I hope this is another sign of the momentum that has built up," said chamber member Doug Diana. "We've never given up, and there have been a lot of people who said, 'You're nuts.' It reaffirms what we've been trying to say for the past 10 years. We believe in this town."
Indeed, the chamber has worked for over a decade to attract businesses to the area, joining forces with a marketing firm and reaching out to public officials in the hope of spurring economic development. A demographic study begun seven years ago, with the goal of attracting national retail chains, found that Baldwin is young, wealthy and well-educated. All of which, chamber officials and residents said, backs up the Money magazine ranking.
"What it shows is the interest people in the community have to make sure Baldwin remains a good community," said Dee Cruz, president of the Baldwin Community Association, saying that local organizations regularly work together to improve the town. "This kind of stuff doesn't happen if you don't have the cooperation between the community and public officials. With the downtown project in the works, it will only make Baldwin even more attractive for people and businesses to come here."
Those sentiments were echoed by Town Councilman Anthony Santino. "It's a long overdue recognition of just how great the community is, and will be in the future," Santino said. "I am particularly happy that the article cited the improvements and upgrades we made at Baldwin Park in recent years. Obviously, with the downtown revitalization project - which will come to fruition sometime next year - it will make a further and dramatic change in Baldwin."
Good schools, affordability,
sense of community
The magazine screened out towns where income is less than 90 percent or more than 180 percent of the state median, and those that are more than 95 percent white. Money also eliminated towns with low education scores, high crime rates and declines or sharp increases in population. It also ranked communities based on job and cost-of-living data, while citing housing affordability, school quality and racial diversity.
Community leaders noted not only the town's diversity, but its eclectic housing, which ranges from historic stone Tudors to modern waterfront homes, not to mention a variety of restaurants and bars, and community events such as the chamber's annual Summer Picnic at Baldwin Park.
"That's one of the things we've been saying for a long time, that Baldwin is a beautiful town, and one of the reasons we work so hard is to maintain it in that fashion," said Jacqueline Bell, president of the Baldwin Oaks Civic Association. "It won't remain that way if people don't take an interest; we have to continuously be vigilant. When you get fast-food places and check-cashing places, things we're not accustomed to, we fight diligently against those things."
The magazine's recognition of the schools was also praised, with school officials and parents saying that it is testament to the school district's rich curriculum. "It's very nice that someone has recognized the hard work and commitment of the administration, faculty, parents and students to make our schools a place of learning and enrichment," said Donna Lerner, president of the Baldwin Council of PTAs. "I've been getting so many e-mails and phone calls. They say, 'Finally, someone recognizes us.' I think we're a successful community, and the people that live in this town are here because they want to be, and they're committed to the growth of the community."
It is that sense of community, as well as good schools and affordable homes, that drew Baldwin resident Andy Randazzo back to his hometown with his wife and children two years ago, after he had lived in Los Angeles for a decade. With the average home in Baldwin costing $432,635, and average property taxes at $6,625, Randazzo said the Money article will prompt others to move here as well.
"It's definitely good news for the town, which is great," said Randazzo, who owns a marketing and graphic design business. "You're in proximity of New York City, which is important to me since it's the advertising capital of the world, and it's affordable. Plus, I was born in Baldwin, which I'm very proud of. It's good news. And with the downtown project, I think the tides are turning."
Others agreed, and said the timing of the article couldn't be better. Not surprisingly, the chamber and other groups are planning to use it as part of a marketing campaign to promote the town. "It's a good time for this to happen," Diana said. "There are businesses that are looking to come here. How do you think they feel now? It's just one more thing to point to."
"We have so much charm," chamber Co-President Ginny Foley said. "Some people outside of town don't get it. But we do. It's really remarkable; there's a real sense of community."
Comments about this story? Baldwineditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 207.
