Sainte-catherine Street West is your connection to ever more vibrant city life
There’s no commercial artery in Montreal more iconic or romanticized than Ste-catherine Street West. Life in this historic, vibrant stretch is as unique as ever, from the bustling atmosphere and prestigious surroundings to the unparalleled proximity to food, arts and culture.
Whether you live, work, study, shop or play on Stecatherine Street West and its adjacent streets, there’s a sense of pride that comes from knowing the city has a world class artery brimming with life and character. Montreal’s past, present and future can all be found here: in the buildings, on the streets and among the people.
Dog blogger Cara Carosielli and her partner Juan moved to Drummond Street, near Ste Catherine, over a year ago, and they enjoy the quality of life the area has to offer.
“I love that it’s super practical, you can walk everywhere,” Carosielli said. “I grew up in the suburbs, so I always had this idea of living the city and what it would be like. I wanted to be around the hustle and bustle, and now I am.”
Everything she needs is within walking distance. She can meet friends for dinner, grab coffee, pick up groceries or find spots to snap photos with her photogenic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Henry.
“I like being able to meet up with friends, and have it be just a short walk away. The only time I use my car is to visit family,” she said. “Also, having a dog is a
great excuse to go outside at least once a day and explore my neighbourhood.”
It’s a great feeling, she said, to have so many great dining options minutes away from your doorstep. It’s comforting to be able to step outside, enjoy a great meal and be home again shortly after without complication. It encourages exploration and keeps them off the couch.
She’s more of a walker, while her partner frequently uses public transport. Either way, their destination is rarely more than a few minutes away. Famous for being the longest commercial stretch in North America, the area also caters more and more to the young professionals who call it home. Groceries and essentials are right there alongside trendy clothing stores and highend destination brand names.
Like countless employees who ply their trades in this vital business district, Carosielli works downtown, too. The only difference is she’s a telecommuter who loves working from her apartment. She wanted a place that felt close to the action with pristine views of the city’s mountain and elegant, historical architecture to inspire creativity.
Even when she’s working in the comfort of her own home, Carosielli says she can feel the energy of the city below and it helps her be more productive. The street is springing back to life with activity after over a year of COVID, and Carosielli sees the improvement every morning.
“We’re getting back to the level of energy that it was before the pandemic. These days, Ste-catherine Street is always full of people walking around,” she said. “That’s really an exciting thing to be a part of, just the vibe of it all.”
Then there’s all the area has to offer. Carosielli and her partner keep a list of new restaurants to try, and
they’re always in discovery mode, seeking out new cafes and places to eat. They’ve even found a few places that will let them bring their dog.
It’s also easy to keep a busy social life with so
much happening nearby.
As the lifeblood and main runway of the city, Stecatherine Street West is never lacking in action: concerts, parades, shows, installations and artworks are all in the general vicinity. Even during the recent playoff run by the Canadiens, Carosielli could feel the jubilation emanating from the public around the Bell Centre.
If there’s a festival or event happening around town, chances are it’s on or around Ste-catherine Street, so you’ll never feel like you’re missing out.
They’re also looking forward to checking out much of the re-opened museums nearby, although with so many to choose from, they feel like they’ll never run out of new adventures.
Ste-catherine Street West continues to evolve as it undergoes a complete renovation and transformation for the future, but it remains at heart a microcosm of the city. It’s a diverse mosaic of people, businesses and experience, connected by a common love for where they live and work. It’s the heart of the city and will continue to bring people together and inspire Montrealers from all walks of life.
Explained Carosielli: “The city, and living here, is the backdrop of everything we create for the blog.”
Coming soon, the renovated Ste-catherine Street West will have more green spaces for relaxing, larger sidewalks for strolling, and even more picturesque moments.