Mont-Saint-Hilaire is defined by its mountain. The Gault Nature Reserve, bequeathed to McGill University in 1958, covers more than 1,000 hectares and forms the core of Canada’s first UNESCO biosphere reserve, designated in 1978. Around it: orchards, 9.5 km of Richelieu shoreline and the end of the exo train line. It is an area I cover on the same footing as the others.
A territory that limits supply
According to the city’s urban plan, 48% of the territory is in the agricultural zone and 22% in the conservation area. That leaves about 30% for urban use, which limits buildable land.
Village de la Gare, built on a former industrial site, has about 1,000 homes within 750 metres of the station. It is a denser neighbourhood, designed around the train.
Vieux-Village is the heritage core, and Village de la Montagne is a protected rural ensemble at the foot of the mountain.
Quartier de la Pommeraie and the Boisé ensoleillé sector round out the residential supply. The orchards along chemin de la Montagne are part of the landscape buyers come looking for.
What to check here
The constraint zones identified by the city: steep slopes and rockfalls at the foot of the mountain, landslides along the Voghel and Voghel-Lusignan streams.
The 20-year and 100-year flood zones along the Richelieu.
The agricultural or conservation status of a lot, before any plan to build, extend or subdivide.
Selling and buying in Mont-Saint-Hilaire
Buyers often compare with Beloeil, across the Richelieu. In Mont-Saint-Hilaire, the mountain view, the distance to the station and the constraints on the lot explain a good part of the price differences.
The comparative analysis is prepared at no charge, with recent sales from your exact sector. On the buying side, the mortgage calculator and the closing cost calculator give you the numbers to plan for.