Community snapshot: Hudson
Situated at the juncture of Lake of Two Mountains, the town of Huds on is renowned for its historical homes, l ush gardens, and quaint community feel. Only 45 minutes from downtown Montreal, the scenic town is home to approximately 5,000 residents, and is one of the few Quebec towns to have official bilingual status.
“Hudson welcomes people with the opportunity to enjoy a tranquil country setting and friendly small-town charm,” said Mayor Ed Prévost. “We have so much to offer. Whether people enjoy unique shopping and dining experiences, a vibrant cultural life, or beautiful nature trails and park lands, we have it all here in Hudson.”
The town will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015, and throughout the years, its scenic beauty has been no secret. In fact, it has served as a film location many times in the past. The arts have a long-standing history in Hudson, and have been at the core of the town’s quality of life.
“Hudson’s vibrant artistic and cultural communities are building their presence both within and beyond our borders,” Prévost said. “For example, the Hudson Village Theatre, the Hudson Music Festival, and the Greenwood Centre for Living History are just some of the venues where amazing things are going on.”
While its artistic community shines, what truly distinguishes the town of Hudson is its natural beauty. It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise because there are activities to do year-round. For one thing, Hudson’s extensive network of parks and nature trails is constantly accessible to dogwalkers, hikers, cyclists, crosscountry skiers, and just about anyone looking to spend some time in nature.
“Hudson’s Jack Layton Park opened in 2012 and is quickly becoming an integral part of town life with its lakeside setting, boat
“Finnegan’s, the seasonal open-air market, ... brings in visitors from all over.”
launch and nature-path network that extends to a beach,” Prévost said.
There’s also an appreciation for wildlife in the town, which includes an increasingly wellknown bird rehabilitation centre called Le Nichoir.
As a community, Hudson has something to offer everyone. With primary schools and a high school, the town is well suited to young families. On the other hand, many professionals work in downtown Montreal, but have opted to live in Hudson for its country ambience.
“The town is currently hard at work developing a five-year vision, to be unveiled this fall, that will include affordable housing options to attract more young families,” Prévost said. “Hudson also has a fairly substantial demographic of seniors who will also benefit from this vision.”
Real estate in the community is somewhat varied, but in general the town is known for its luxurious, large properties. At this writing, for instance, a threebedroom waterfront home on Chipman’s Point St. is listed for $1,950,000.
But there are more affordable options as well. On Lower Maple Rd., for example, a two-bedroom condo in a new development is currently listed for $189,900.
If you’re thinking of checking out Hudson as a potential location in which to own a home, there are many things to see and do while you’re there, and many would argue that summer is the best time for such a visit.
“Every Saturday for the last few decades, Hudson residents have enjoyed visiting Finnegan’s, the seasonal open-air market that has become an institution in town,” Prévost said. “It brings in visitors from all over.”
There’s also a popular farmer’s market every Thursday throughout the summer. This year, Hudson hosted Fête nationale festivities for the first time in years, the event serving as a great prequel to the annual Canada Day party. Other events to take in throughout the year include the town’s street fair, the Hudson Car Show, the Hudson Music Festival, and the Santa Claus and St. Patrick’s Day parades, just to name a few.