Baker, LA

The neighborhood was established in 1888, then grew into a town in 1948. Baker finally became its own city in 1962. The determination of its residents and the growth of businesses allowed the small area to flourish quickly. Although growth has slowed since then, Baker remains a lively place.

Residents can learn about the area's history through the Heritage Museum & Cultural Center. The museum, based in a 1906 Victorian cottage, holds period furnishings and rare books. After a tour, you can buy items from the museum's country store.

Every September, Baker draws in hundreds of residents when it hosts the Baker Buffalo Festival. The festival has many different events ranging from live bands and amusement rides to talent shows. The juicy buffalo wings always strike a win, and residents can burn off calories afterward by participating in a 5K run. Proceeds and donations go to benefit children with special needs.

Living areas, parks and businesses occupy much of Baker, leaving little room for locally owned restaurants and bars. The area has plenty of fast food restaurants scattered throughout, as well as a few chain restaurants. Places typically close early here, but a cheap and quick ride into nearby Baton Rouge makes for an exciting night on the town. Otherwise, you can expect a calm, quiet nightlife.

Residents love Roul's Deli, which has locations in Baker and around the Baton Rouge area. The deli specializes in burgers and offers special deals on Mondays and Wednesdays. Try the filling shrimp burger loaded with fresh, juicy shrimp and melted cheese on a soft bun.

When eating in Baker, stop by Lagniappe Steak & Seafood off of Plank Road. This venue creates a cozy setting for dinner with family and friends. The restaurant aims to please any palate with Italian, Mexican and traditional steakhouse cuisine. The po'boys have your choice of catfish, oysters, steak or shrimp. Affordable menu items mean you can splurge on dessert, too.

Most residents of Baker own their own vehicle and prefer to drive as their main source of transportation. They rarely struggle to find public parking. Residents' close access to multiple state routes and Interstate 110 makes it easy to drive to other neighborhoods or into the city. Sidewalks for walkers and bike riders run along the majority of the neighborhood streets.

Residents who need public transportation use the Capital Area Transit System, affectionately known as CATS. The system has a variety of lines that travel through Baker and the surrounding neighborhoods. You can purchase weekly and monthly passes for discounted fare rates. If you need a quick and easy ride, download the Uber app to your smartphone. The ridesharing program services the largest part of the Baton Rouge area. You can also phone the W. Jones Taxicab Service or Action Taxi for a cab ride.

The benefits of living in Baker include the fact that a park lies within 2 miles of nearly every home. This ensures that members of the community have close, healthy and fun entertainment options no matter where they live. Baker City Park has a half-mile walking and running track for daily exercise. Children love to play on the playground while families enjoy lunch at one of many picnic tables throughout the park. Its outdoor exercise equipment really distinguishes the park from others in the area and make it an ideal alternative to working out at the gym.

If you or your children prefer sports activities to traditional exercise, visit Jefferson Street Park. The park houses a tennis court, soccer field, basketball area and a lighted baseball field for night games. The park covers 10 acres and has a picnic area, so visitors never feel crowded or have difficulty finding a place to relax.

Living in Baker has a cost of living three percent less than in the center of Baton Rouge. A one-bedroom residence averages about $520 a month. However, you can find cheaper and high-end living arrangements in the area, too.

In addition to excellent prices on homes, Baker has favorable gas prices. Gas stations here sell gas at about 9 percent cheaper than the national average. If you rely on public transportation to roam around the neighborhood, buy a daily bus pass for $1.75. Children under the age of five ride free, and students with an ID card only pay $0.35. You can find a beer at a local restaurant for $4.

Some department and clothing stores lie within the neighborhood's boundaries, but Baker does not house many boutiques or specialty stores. On Main Street, residents can find Sears and Citi Trends. Citi Trends caters to the younger set with clothing, bags and accessories at affordable prices. In addition to its urban-inspired apparel, the store carries home decor pieces.

Baker also has It's Fashion, an apparel store for juniors with clothing similar to what you find in mall specialty retailers. The shop also sells juniors plus clothing and pieces for boys, girls and young men. Shop their selection of shoes, accessories and gifts for newborns. The It's Fashion Metro section of the store sells clothing for the whole family.

Residents here choose to shop at Baker Boulevard Grocery and the Buffalo Food Mart for their weekly grocery needs.