Where to live in the Laurentians
To live among nature, surrounded by the beauty of mountainous landscapes, rolling hills, shallow valleys, thousands of freshwater lake, hundred-millions-year-old rocks, and countless towns and villages full of charm, is to live in the magic of the Laurentians. The towns of Blainville, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, and Rosemère are idyllic settings to buy a residence in the Laurentians.
Live a full life
Just miles north of the big city of Montreal, stretching from St. Jerome past Mont Tremblant, the Laurentians region has become famous as a four-season playground for Montrealers. It’s true, this massive range of wildland is full of exciting activities to do in all kinds of weather. The winter, of course, is all about snow sports: skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, ice climbing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. In spring, summer, and fall, the tides turn and residents and visitors jump into bodies of waters to go rafting or kayaking; the terrains fill with campsites and happy campers; and the great greens open up for golf enthusiasts. The list of resorts to fulfill your every outdoorsy need is endless.
Naturally, after working up a sweat, it’s normal to want to return to a comfortable home. In the Laurentians, this is not a problem because the real estate market offers a selection of high-end properties, some even on the waterfront, in the peace and quiet outside major resorts: renovated chalets and cottages, country-style family houses, recently built villas with modern designs. In the area, a lot of properties are sold as vacation homes or recreational properties to an upscale international clientele. On the other hand, many find the Laurentians the ideal living environment for a principal residence, and rightly so.
Charming residential towns in the Laurentians
A high quality of life surrounded by nature exists just minutes from the city. The most highly-sought after residential areas in the Laurentians are in the regional municipality of Thérèse-De Blainville, situated on the north bank of the Rivière des Mille-Îles.
Blainville is one of them, based at the foot of the Laurentians Mountains. This suburban-like town keeps its residents, mostly families, busy with a wide range of activities for every profile. You’ll find an abundance of greenery (40% of the town is green zones and recreational spaces), where it nice to walk among the flowers. Workout enthusiasts love the 50 km (31 mi) of cycle paths, in addition to the beautiful 7.4-km (4.6) Route Verte. Blainville is also a strong supporter of the arts, with a very long cultural activities throughout the year: outdoor film nights, many interesting exhibitions, Blainville en Fête, the Winter Festival, Fête in the Park, the Arts & Crafts Salon, Blainville en Chansons. With boredom nowhere in sight, Blainville has been ranked among the best places to live and raise children, according to a reputed Canadian publication.
Another place of interest is found in the western corner of the municipality: Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines is a quiet town known for its simple way of life, and its sweet tooth. Sprinkled throughout are cabanes à sucre or sugar shacks. They may look like normal workshop cabins on the outside, but inside, they are whipping up the region’s most famous maple syrup products. A delicious treat for the entire family.
Just north of the river is Rosemère, an affluent suburb of Montreal where a high quality of life intermingle with a woody landscape and overgrown buddles green trees. Somewhere in the middle are luxury houses and cozy cottages that have been completely renovated to incorporate modern comforts. Our tip: Head Boulevard Curé-Labelle, the town’s Main Street, or Place Rosemère, to introduce yourself to neighbors.
Lastly, parlez-vous francais? Because Blainville, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, and Rosemère are primarily French-speaking areas, as founding parts of the first settlements of New France.
Full time in all four seasons? Buy a residence in the Laurentians region, in Blainville, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, or Rosemère.