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Here in Saguenay, we like to get together and have fun! Throughout the year, the city is a bustling hive of sporting, cultural and recreational activities. In Saguenay, there’s always something to do! Ben d’adon, right? Discover several activities that you can do every day when you come to settle in Saguenay in this blog article!
Imagine going to work without any traffic jams. Or being able to enjoy walks in nature just a few minutes from home, every day. In Saguenay, this could be your daily reality. You’ll see that we’re good icitte!
Living in Saguenay means having the opportunity to realize your full potential in an environment where everyday simplicity exists in perfect harmony with safety and well-being. You’ll find the best of both worlds: an incomparable proximity to nature and bustling urban life.
In Saguenay, we have four seasons and we have learned to make the most of each of them. We know how to adapt and make the best out of all types of weather!
In short, it’s not a fluke that Saguenay ranks 1st among the best cities in Quebec and 2nd in Canada (according to MovingWaldo) in terms of quality of life, in addition to holding 9th place in the ranking of the 100 happiest cities in Canada (according to Point2Homes).
This is why we’re telling you all the great reasons to choose to settle down in Saguenay!
There’s no time to be bored in Saguenay
Here in Saguenay, we like to get together and have fun. Throughout the year, the city is bustling with a host of sports and cultural and recreational activities. It’s simple: there’s always something fun to do, rain or shine!
Cultural and leisure activities
Saguenay has a vibrant cultural scene. This means that there are activities for everyone, no matter their age (museums, shows, festivals, libraries, historic sites, heritage sites, etc.).
You can take advantage of the many boutiques and shopping centres to shop, enjoy a good coffee in the city centre, discover the neighbourhood bookstores, relax in front of a movie at the cinema with a good bucket of popcorn or simply stroll through the alleys of downtown Saguenay!
All year long, Saguenay’s five city centres come alive with festivals, outdoor shows and a rich community life. Go discover them for yourself!
Sports and outdoor activities
Saguenay has a multitude of sports complexes and outdoor centres so you can move and get some fresh air, no matter the season.
You’ll find outdoor centres where you can go mountain biking, cross-country skiing, ice skating and hiking. Many parks also offer facilities for playing tennis, soccer, baseball and football, as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
Children can enjoy many play parks. They can play safely on the playgrounds and cool off in water parks on beautiful summer days!
Want to explore the many activities that Saguenay has to offer? Ça adonne bien, here is an article on the subject
Saguenay: a vast territory to explore
Comfortably nestled in the heart of the boreal forest, bordered by a fjord and mountains, the Saguenay region is dazzling in its vastness and wilderness that evolves with each change in season. You can breathe in pure air and marvel at breathtaking landscapes.
Exploring Saguenay means experiencing a true feeling of freedom!
Saguenay lies at the source of the Saguenay Fjord, the only navigable fjord in North America. This unique valley, covering over 105 km between Saguenay and Tadoussac and featuring impressive 350 m high walls, is one of the 10 longest fjords in the world.
The Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay showcases the fjord’s riches and provides access to its vast territory. You’ll find 170 km of hiking trails to explore, some of them less than 15 minutes from the city! You can also go kayaking, paddleboarding and camping, or enjoy many other outdoor activities.
Saguenay: an accessible city
Affordable housing
In Saguenay, houses and apartments are much more affordable than in larger cities. Saving on housing costs means you’ll be able to save up to become a homeowner faster!
Here are a few figures on housing that speak volumes:
- The average cost of renting an apartment: CAN$991 per month (compared to $1,661 in Montreal and $1,204 in Quebec City, source: Le Devoir, June 2023)
- The average price of a house: CAN$255,000 (compared to $555,000 in Montreal and $352,000 in Quebec City, source: APCIQ, 2023 second quarter)
- 2.7 years: the estimated time needed for a young couple aged 25 to 34 to save a minimum down payment to buy a house (source: FCIQ)
Psst: for more advice on housing, you can read the article Se loger à Saguenay.
Near all services
In Saguenay, you’ll find all the essential services needed to ensure your well-being and that of your family.
If you’re a student, Saguenay offers everything you need to make your educational journey an incredible experience. In addition to making you feel welcome, educational institutions adapt their training programs to market needs. This means that once you’ve graduated, your job prospects in Saguenay will be very high! Find out more about what makes Saguenay LINK
In Quebec, all children have access to education upon arrival!
If you have children, you can enroll them in one of the many primary and secondary schools in the area or in daycare for the little ones. That said, here are some tips to guide you in this important step! (link to article Settling with Family in Saguenay)
Saguenay is also home to three hospitals, many professional services (such as dentists and notaries), a variety of businesses (including ethnic grocery stores), several sports facilities, houses fit for families, places of worship, libraries and theatres, government services, a fire department, a police force and much more!
Finally, Saguenay has a rich and active community life. The city has more than 440 organizations available to meet the population’s various needs. They provide a wide range of services in a variety of fields: community action, sports, culture, event organization, outdoor activities, etc.
All roads lead to Saguenay!
Located 211 km from Quebec City and 464 km from Montreal, Saguenay is located in the heart of the province of Quebec, Canada, and is one of the gateways to the boreal zone and Quebec’s Far North.
Saguenay is easily accessible by car, train and bus. The city also remains connected to the whole world with daily flights to Montreal from the Saguenay-Bagotville airport.
In Saguenay, being mobile is essential! Fortunately, you’ll be able to get around on foot, by bike, by car or by bus. If you plan to drive, start by reading this article
Welcoming you with open arms
It is said that the Kingdom of Saguenay stands out for its legendary hospitality. And it’s no myth!
Here, the population is warm and engaged. Neighbours are always ready to lend a hand. In other words, we’re ben adon!
The Bleuets or the Blueberries (so nicknamed because of the significant presence of this small fruit in the region) are bon vivants who are always looking for opportunities to have fun and, above all, to share. We love se lâcher lousse!
Finally, the people of Saguenay feel a contagious pride, not only in the land they love to show off, but also in the expressions that colour their language.
Come flourish in Saguenay!
Its wide-open spaces, its unique fjord and its many services make Saguenay a city where urban life and nature coexist. There’s every reason to put Saguenay at the centre of your ambitions. Come flourish in a great place to live!
Dosen’t that sound like a dream?
