Living in Baxter

Source Township of Essa

Enjoy the small-town charm and rural atmosphere the community of Baxter provides. Baxter is a small community within Essa Township, that is just under two hours away from Toronto. Some housing styles you will find in Baxter are single-family homes and townhomes that have been built throughout the years showcasing different building styles. Living here you get to enjoy peace and quiet but still have all the modern amenities you could need just a short drive away in Angus, Barrie, and Alliston.

Traveling to Baxter is easy via highway 400 to Dunlop Street to Highway 90. For those who rely on public transportation, Linx Transit serves the Essa Township area Monday through Friday with a route traveling from Wasaga Beach to Barrie making a few stops in between. You can travel this route by getting this bus in Angus at the Commerce Road stop.

There is one elementary school local to Baxter, the Baxter Central Public School. Students in high school are bussed to nearby Angus to attend Nottawasaga Pines Secondary School. Those looking for a catholic school option will attend elementary school at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Angus and high school in Tottenham at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School.

There is no shortage of green space, parks, and recreation activities in Baxter and throughout Essa Township. The Baxter Ball Park has a playground and baseball diamond, as well as picnic tables. Marshall Park is another park located in Baxter that also has a playground and tennis courts.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the Baxter Tract is a 2.5-kilometer loop trail maintained by the County of Simcoe. This trail is used by many for walking and even horseback riding, as well as cross-country skiing in the winter. Fishing is also another popular activity in Essa and there are four designated fishing parks throughout the township, the Angus Community Park, Essa Centennial Park, Nottawasaga Fishing Park, and the Don Ross Drive Park. To fish at any of these parks you must have a valid license and access pass.

Shopping and dining are limited in Baxter. Residents must travel to the nearby community of Angus just 10 minutes away for grocery shopping, gas fill-ups, and other amenities and entertainment. In their main commercial area, you will also find a couple of different options for dining out. For other larger urban amenities and more dining options, residents must travel to the nearby City of Barrie or Alliston both of which are within a 20-minute drive away.

Baxter is a great place to reside if you’re looking to live amongst country settings with the added incentive of having modern amenities just a short drive away.

-The BDAR Team

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