A Montrealer's 5 favourites for Haut-Richelieu
This spring, a big change is taking place in my life. I'm moving from the big city of Montreal to the Haut-Richelieu region. I'm looking forward to discovering the Haut-Richelieu with my own eyes as a future Johannaise.
My decision was made thanks to the Place aux jeunes en région program (Carrefour Jeunesse-Emploi), which helped me enormously before and after I moved in! My adventure began with agent Jessica, a native of the region, who took me on a tour of Old Saint-Jean and the surrounding area, giving me the "insides" from her point of view. I fell in love with the area.
1. A love of hiking
I have to confess that I'm a beginner and the outdoors has never been my forte, but I've come to realize that spending time in nature is very beneficial to my physical and mental health. That's why outdoor attractions such as Mont-Saint-Grégoire, the many outdoor centers and above all the Richelieu River motivate me to frequent inspiring places.
2. A taste for local produce!
My biggest fear about leaving Montreal was that I wouldn't be able to find the same variety of restaurants in the regions. It was during my first visit to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu that I realized there was a lot of variety in the restaurants, at least more than I thought! What's even better is the fresh produce that comes from the region's agricultural farms and the strong offering of local Haut-Richelieu products.
3. Semi-urban
As someone who loves going out with friends or lovers, I need to get back to the city side with stores, cinema and restaurants. That's why semi-urban was an influential aspect in my decision. I can definitely confirm that the corner of Saint-Luc with the cinema and restaurants is clearly where I'll be spending my evenings!
4. Access to the United States
Indeed, the Haut-Richelieu is on the South Shore, more precisely halfway between Montreal and the United States. For someone working in tourism, you guessed it: a change of scenery and travel are a passion! So easy access to Vermont, New York and Maine is an advantage I couldn't do without.
5. The peace and space of the suburbs
My friends will tell you, I've always had a penchant for big cities, yes, my deepest dream was to live in New York and make a "Blair Waldorf" of myself. As I experimented with Montreal, I noticed that I missed the tranquility and wide-open spaces of the suburbs. In other words, the suburbs aren't so bad!
