Burnaby Neighbourhood Guide

Explore Burnaby Neighbourhoods

Burnaby offers a wide variety of neighbourhoods within a relatively compact city. From established residential communities and tree-lined streets to growing urban centres surrounding SkyTrain, there are options for many different lifestyles, property types and budgets.

Choosing where to live in Burnaby isn't simply about finding the right home. The neighbourhood can have just as much influence on your day-to-day lifestyle and the long-term appeal of your property.

Whether you're looking for a detached home, townhouse or condo, this guide is a starting point for exploring some of Burnaby's most popular neighbourhoods and finding the areas that may best fit what you're looking for.

Deer Lake Park and walking trails in Burnaby, BC

Deer Lake & Deer Lake Place

Located near the centre of Burnaby, Deer Lake and Deer Lake Place offer a quieter residential setting while remaining convenient to Metrotown, Highway 1 and other parts of the city.

Deer Lake Park is one of the area's defining features, with extensive green space, walking trails and several of Burnaby's cultural attractions nearby.

Deer Lake Place is primarily a detached-home neighbourhood, with homes ranging from original properties to extensively renovated houses and newer construction. Lot size, street location and the condition of individual homes can all have a significant influence on value.

Burnaby Heights

Burnaby Heights is one of North Burnaby's most established neighbourhoods, combining quiet residential streets with the shops, restaurants and services along Hastings Street.

Housing ranges from detached homes on established lots to townhouses and condos, giving buyers a variety of options within the neighbourhood.

Its proximity to Vancouver, local parks and the Hastings Street shopping district makes the Heights particularly convenient for people who want an established community with everyday amenities close to home.

Burnaby Heights neighbourhood and Hastings Street in Burnaby, BC
Brentwood neighbourhood and high-rise community in Burnaby, BC

Brentwood

Brentwood has become one of Burnaby’s most prominent urban neighbourhoods, with significant redevelopment bringing new condominium towers, shopping, restaurants and public spaces to the area.

The neighbourhood is centred around Brentwood Town Centre and the Millennium Line, making it particularly convenient for buyers who value SkyTrain access and an urban lifestyle.

Condo buyers should also look beyond the individual home and consider the building itself, including strata finances, depreciation reports, maintenance history, bylaws and potential future expenses.

Metrotown

Metrotown is one of Burnaby’s largest and most established urban centres, offering convenient access to shopping, restaurants, recreation, services and SkyTrain.

The area includes everything from established residential streets to newer high-rise communities, giving buyers a broad range of housing choices within a relatively compact area.

Location within Metrotown can make a noticeable difference. Proximity to SkyTrain, major roads, parks and future development are all worth considering when comparing properties.

Metrotown skyline and residential neighbourhood in Burnaby, BC
South Slope residential neighbourhood in Burnaby, BC

South Slope

South Slope is a primarily residential neighbourhood in South Burnaby, known for its quieter streets, established homes and elevated setting. Many properties take advantage of the area’s southern exposure, with some offering views toward Richmond and the Fraser River.

Housing includes detached homes, townhouses and condos, with convenient access to Metrotown, Edmonds, Royal Oak SkyTrain and nearby parks and trails.

When comparing homes in South Slope, street location, lot characteristics, elevation and views can all have a significant influence on value.

Highgate & Edmonds

Highgate and Edmonds offer a diverse mix of housing in southeast Burnaby, including detached homes, townhouses, established condo buildings and newer developments.

The area offers convenient access to shopping, parks, community facilities and Edmonds SkyTrain Station, while remaining within easy reach of Metrotown and New Westminster.

With continued redevelopment occurring throughout the area, buyers should consider both the existing neighbourhood and how future development may influence a particular property or location.

Highgate and Edmonds neighbourhood in Burnaby, BC
Lougheed neighbourhood and SkyTrain area in Burnaby, BC

Lougheed

Lougheed is a rapidly evolving neighbourhood in northeast Burnaby, centred around Lougheed Town Centre and the Millennium and Expo SkyTrain lines.

The area combines newer high-rise developments with established condo buildings, townhouses and nearby residential neighbourhoods, while offering convenient access to shopping, restaurants and transit.

Buyers considering Lougheed should pay particular attention to proximity to SkyTrain, ongoing redevelopment and future construction, as the neighbourhood continues to change significantly.

Government Road

Government Road is an established residential neighbourhood in North Burnaby, known for its quiet streets, mature landscaping and larger residential properties.

Situated between Burnaby Lake and Burnaby Mountain, the neighbourhood offers convenient access to parks and trails while remaining close to Lougheed Highway, Highway 1, SkyTrain and shopping.

Homes in the area range from older properties to extensively renovated houses and newer custom homes. Lot size, street location, privacy and the condition of the home can all have a significant influence on value.

Residential home in the Government Road neighbourhood of Burnaby, BC
Homes and mature landscaping in Greentree Village, Burnaby, BC

Greentree Village

Greentree Village is a quiet, established residential community in central Burnaby, known for its park-like setting, mature landscaping and mix of townhomes and detached homes.

Developed primarily in the 1970s as a planned residential community, the neighbourhood offers a distinctive low-density feel while remaining close to BCIT, Deer Lake, Metrotown and Brentwood.

For buyers, Greentree Village can offer more living space and outdoor space than many newer developments. When considering one of the townhome communities, it's also important to review the individual strata's finances, maintenance history and future capital projects.

Burnaby Mountain & UniverCity

Burnaby Mountain offers one of Burnaby's most distinctive residential settings, combining the campus of Simon Fraser University with the newer residential community of UniverCity. SFU's original campus sits at the top of Burnaby Mountain, with UniverCity developed alongside it.

UniverCity includes condos, townhomes and residential buildings within a walkable community offering shops, services, transit and convenient access to SFU. The surrounding Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area also provides an extensive network of forested trails and outdoor recreation.

For buyers, Burnaby Mountain offers a very different lifestyle from most of the city, with its university setting, natural surroundings and concentration of condominium and townhouse living.

Simon Fraser University and UniverCity on Burnaby Mountain
Capitol Hill neighbourhood with views across Burnaby and Vancouver

Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is an established North Burnaby neighbourhood located above Hastings Street, known for its residential streets, elevated setting and convenient access to the shops, restaurants and services of Burnaby Heights.

The neighbourhood is primarily made up of detached homes, ranging from older character houses to renovated properties and newer construction, along with some townhomes and condos closer to Hastings Street.

For buyers, location within Capitol Hill can make a significant difference. Elevation, views, lot characteristics and proximity to Hastings Street, schools and parks can all influence both lifestyle and property value.

Montecito

Montecito is an established residential neighbourhood in North Burnaby, known for its quiet streets, mature landscaping and park-like setting. The neighbourhood surrounds the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course and is close to Burnaby Mountain, Squint Lake Park and an extensive network of green space.

The neighbourhood offers a mix of detached homes, townhomes and condos, with easy access to parks, schools, shopping and nearby SkyTrain stations. Its central North Burnaby location also provides convenient connections to Brentwood, Lougheed and Simon Fraser University.

For buyers, Montecito offers a quieter residential setting while remaining close to many of North Burnaby's major amenities. Property type, street location, lot characteristics and proximity to parks and transit can all influence both lifestyle and property value.

Burnaby Mountain Golf Course and surrounding Montecito neighbourhood
Residential neighbourhoods of The Crest and Cariboo in Burnaby, BC

Burnaby East — The Crest & Cariboo

Burnaby East includes several established residential communities along the eastern edge of the city, including The Crest and Cariboo. These neighbourhoods are known for their quieter residential streets, parks and convenient access to both Burnaby and New Westminster.

The Crest is primarily a detached-home neighbourhood with an established community feel, while the Cariboo area offers a broader mix of detached homes, townhomes and condos. Nearby parks, schools and access to Highway 1, Lougheed Highway and SkyTrain add to the area's convenience.

For buyers, Burnaby East can offer a different feel from the city's larger urban centres, with more emphasis on residential neighbourhoods and green space. Property type, street location, lot characteristics and proximity to major roads and transit can all influence value and lifestyle.

Forest Hills

Forest Hills is a quiet residential neighbourhood on the slopes of Burnaby Mountain, known for its natural surroundings, mature trees and proximity to an extensive network of parks and trails.

The neighbourhood includes a mix of townhomes, condos and detached homes, with convenient access to Simon Fraser University, Lougheed Town Centre and nearby SkyTrain. Its location also puts residents close to Burnaby Mountain and the surrounding conservation area.

For buyers, Forest Hills offers a more secluded, nature-oriented setting than many Burnaby neighbourhoods while remaining relatively close to shopping, transit and major routes. Property type, strata considerations, elevation and proximity to trails and green space can all be important factors when comparing homes.

Forest Hills townhomes surrounded by mature trees in Burnaby, BC

Which Burnaby Neighbourhood Is Right for You?

Choosing the right Burnaby neighbourhood often comes down to more than the home itself. Property type, budget, commute, access to SkyTrain, parks and recreation, schools, shopping and the overall character of the neighbourhood can all play a role.

It’s also worth considering things that may not be obvious during a single showing, including traffic, street activity, future development and how the neighbourhood feels at different times of the day.

With experience working throughout Burnaby, I can help you compare neighbourhoods, understand local market conditions and identify the areas that best match what you’re looking for.

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