Communities
With Baxter real estate sited in close proximity to the geographical center of Minnesota, Baxter is a community of about 8,000 year-round residents and part of the Brainerd Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The region is defined by its lakes. Baxter, as well as dozens of independent communities in Crow Wing and Cass counties, enjoys the benefits of having nearly 500 lakes within a 25-mile area. It’s no wonder it’s known regionally as "The Brainerd Lakes Area.”
Baxter and Brainerd are the anchor communities of the district, playing host to a regional airport, national employers and businesses, and idyllic family friendly neighborhoods.
SHOPPING AND DINING
One of the best things about purchasing a home in a resort area is that the shopping and diningoptions in Baxter are a lot more diverse and comprehensive, especially when compared to other towns its size.
Along with locally owned, one-of-a-kind shops, boutiques and retail outlets, Baxter offers national and regional retailers, like the 20-plus store Westgate Mall, Best Buy and Wal-Mart.
The twin cities of Brainerd and Baxter, and the other communities in the Brainerd Lakes Area, offer all of the dining choices you could want. Get all dolled up and enjoy some fine (often lakeside) dining at any of the dozens of lodge restaurants; or stay in and have a pizza delivered. Or, if you’re in a hurry or short of cash or just craving some fast food, you’ll have no trouble finding your favorites in Baxter and the Brainerd Lakes Area.
THE CITY OF BAXTER’S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MANAGES AND MAINTAINS FIVE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS. BAXTER ALSO PROVIDES A PUBLIC BEACH AREA AT WHIPPLE LAKE, WHICH ALSO OFFERS A BOAT LANDING, FISHING DOCK, PICNIC AREA AND PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT.
In addition to all of the recreational opportunities you have on and around the area’s lakes, rivers and streams, you can also take a bike ride or casual stroll on Baxter’s 11 miles of off-street trails.
Sure, it gets cold in Minnesota over the winter, so why not make the best of it? The lakes freeze over in the winter and it becomes time for some of the amazingly fun snow and ice activities available, like snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing, and ice fishing.
LIVING
The Brainerd Lakes area features several quaint, charming smaller communities, many of which are home to lakeside resorts and cabins. Take a short, scenic drive through the Brainerd Lakes area and check out the towns of Crosby, Crosslake, Nisswa and Walker, along with the peaceful and serene communities of Breezy Point, Cass Lake, Deerwood, East Gull Lake, Emily and Pequot Lakes.
Now, before you go thinking that the Brainerd Lakes Area real estate is only about fishing and waterskiing, you should know that there are five PGA caliber golf courses here, along with a wide range of live entertainment at the Brainerd Civic Center.
SCHOOLS, HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION
The Brainerd Public School District covers Baxter and many other Brainerd Lakes Area communities. The district provides K-12 education, including a brand new, state-of-the-art middle school.
Baxter residents and visitors can have their medical and health care requirements filled at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, St. Gabriel’s Hospital andRiverwood Health Care Center.
Minnesota state highways 210 and 371 serve Baxter’s and the Brainerd Lakes Area’s drivers; other transportation options include the Express Route (bus) Service, DIAL-A-RIDE and the aforementioned Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport.