Thinking about moving to Burnaby and trying to decide if it fits your life, budget, and routine? This guide gives a clear answer to “Is Burnaby a Good Place to Live?” with practical details on costs, neighborhoods, transit, and day-to-day life.
Burnaby is the third-largest city in British Columbia and offers a perfect mix of natural beauty and city life. With over 230,000 residents, it has a lively and welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The city provides a quieter and more relaxed lifestyle while it is close to Vancouver which makes it easy to enjoy big-city opportunities without the constant hustle and bustle.
Pros and Cons of Moving to Burnaby, BC
Before you make a decision about moving to Burnaby, it helps to weigh the everyday tradeoffs. With a 2021 population of 249,125 and fast-growing town centres, the city blends towers, parks, and family streets.
| Pros | Cons |
| Fast SkyTrain access to Vancouver and Coquitlam | Higher housing costs than many suburbs |
| Three major town centres: Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed | Busy hubs can feel crowded at peak times |
| Parks and lakes: Central Park, Deer Lake, Burnaby Mountain | Rainy seasons reduce casual outdoor time |
| Strong international food scene and shopping | Strata rules, elevator bookings, and loading zones to plan |
| Schools, SFU, and BCIT within city limits | Limited street parking near town centres |
A couple we moved from Kitsilano to North Burnaby picked an apartment near Holdom Station. They wanted a shorter commute and stroller-friendly sidewalks.
After a month, they gave us some feedback on living in Burnaby, mentioning that grocery runs are easy, the train is predictable, and weekend hikes on Burnaby Mountain became a habit. That is the type of Burnaby lifestyle many newcomers describe.
Best Areas to Live In Burnaby
Burnaby has several distinct pockets that suit different needs. Here is a quick map in words so you can match a neighborhood to your stage of life.
- Families: Deer Lake and Upper Deer Lake for quiet streets and access to parks and civic amenities. Lochdale and North Burnaby for detached homes and schools.
- Professionals: Brentwood and Metrotown for condo towers, shopping, and quick SkyTrain rides. Lougheed Town Centre for a similar mix with easier highway access.
- Students: SFU’s UniverCity on Burnaby Mountain and nearby Forest Grove for access to campus and frequent buses. BCIT-adjacent pockets around Cascade Heights and Central Park work for trades and tech programs.
- Downsizers: Burnaby Heights and Willingdon Heights offer low-rise living with local cafés and mountain views.Car-light lifestyles: Gilmore to Holdom corridor and the streets around Metrotown Station are very walkable with frequent trains.
For a nuts-and-bolts relocation checklist, see our practical guide on moving to Burnaby with costs and timelines. It covers rentals, first-month budgets, and building logistics in detail.
Cost of Living and Housing Overview
Housing costs vary by station area and building age. Metrotown and Brentwood command higher condo rents, while older low-rises around Edmonds, Royal Oak, and parts of North Burnaby can be lighter on the wallet.
Expect condo fees and elevator bookings in towers, and factor move-in deposits for strata buildings. Our detailed Cost of Living in Burnaby breakdown shows typical rent ranges, utilities, groceries, and sample monthly budgets for singles and families.
If you plan to work downtown, transit can trim commuting costs and time. SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium Lines run directly through Burnaby with frequent service into Vancouver and Coquitlam. That makes day-to-day commuting from Burnaby to Vancouver fairly straightforward.
Reasons to Move to Burnaby: Lifestyle, Nature, and Safety
If your shortlist includes access to nature, this city shines with Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Deer Lake Park, and Central Park, offering hiking, rowing, and running within a few kilometres.
Weekend routines often mix a SkyTrain ride for errands with a quick park loop afterward. For safety context and practical tips, our Is Burnaby Safe in 2025? article explains current trends and shows safer pockets block by block.
Many readers ask for the benefits of moving to Burnaby beyond costs. Burnaby offers reliable transit, diverse food, and proximity to jobs and campuses, plus a quality of life that includes both city perks and quieter evenings. If your move dates are flexible, this post helps with timing: When Is the Best Time to Move?
Commuting from Burnaby to Vancouver
Daily travel is a major part of any decision on moving to Burnaby. Trains on the Expo Line connect Metrotown, Patterson, and Edmonds, while the Millennium Line serves Brentwood, Gilmore, Holdom, Sperling–Burnaby Lake, Lake City Way, Production Way–University, and Lougheed Town Centre. Transfers are simple, and headways are frequent all day.
Who Should Consider Burnaby Right Now?
This city tends to work well for several profiles. Pick the ones that match you and use them as a lens while you read listings.
- Young professionals who want condo living near SkyTrain and fast rides into downtown.
- Families who value parks, community centres, and school variety.
- International students and researchers at SFU or BCIT who want short trips to campus.
- Retirees ready for walkable, low-maintenance buildings near services.
- Remote workers who want quieter streets with quick access to Vancouver’s meetings and flights.
Get Moving Support In Burnaby
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Recap of the Pros and Cons of Moving to Burnaby, BC
So, is Burnaby a good place to live for your situation? If transit access, mixed-use hubs, and close-by nature fit your priorities, the reasons to move to Burnaby outweigh the tradeoffs. If your must-haves are a big yard, low rent, and wide street parking, compare nearby cities like Coquitlam, New Westminster, or parts of Surrey first.
