Burnaby is a beautiful city in British Columbia, Canada, located immediately to the east of Vancouver. It is the third-largest city in BC by population with 266,048 residents and surpassed only by Vancouver and Surrey with 662,000 and 585,000 residents respectively.
Burnaby is considered a young city with over 66% of its population below the age of 45. The median age for Burnaby residents is 39 years old – younger than the average Canadian median age of 41.
Burnaby offers excellent amenities and attractions, including an extensive network of green spaces and parks, over 1,200 restaurants and cafes, excellent transit connectivity, vibrant arts and culture scenes, top-rated educational institutions, and so much more. Burnaby is a great place to live and work.
Pros of Living in Burnaby
Location – Burnaby is centrally located within four major lower mainland cities. There’s Vancouver to the west, Coquitlam to the east, New Westminster to the south east and Richmond BC to the south west. Burnaby offers a relaxed, suburban atmosphere with convenient access to the amenities of Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster and Richmond BC. Burnaby residents enjoy easy access to highways, bridges, and public transit systems that make commuting a breeze. One of the biggest reasons people prefer living in Burnaby instead of Vancouver is because Burnaby offers more affordable housing compared to Vancouver, making it a great option for young professionals and families on a budget.
Affordable housing – Burnaby is not the most affordable city in British Columbia but in the Vancouver area, Burnaby housing can be regarded as both affordable and expensive for home buyers and tenants. Of course, ones budget, tastes and preferences determine what is considered affordable and if you are looking for an apartment, townhome, or single-family house, Burnaby has a wide range of housing options to meet your needs.
Natural beauty – Burnaby is blessed with stunning natural beauty, including lush parks, winding rivers, and beautiful mountain views. Burnaby residents have easy access to Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Burnaby Central Park, Deer Lake Park, and so much more. Burnaby is a great place to get out and explore the outdoors, with an abundance of trails and parks to explore.
Excellent educational institutions – Burnaby is home to some of Canada's top-rated universities and colleges, including Simon Fraser University (SFU), British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and highly regarded elementary and secondary schools. Whether you are a parent looking for the best education for your children or a young adult looking to pursue higher education, Burnaby has great options to accommodate your pursuits.
Vibrant arts & the cultural scene – Burnaby is an exciting city with a great art scene and a deep culture. The city has many ongoing workshops, exhibits, classes, festivals, and much more for those looking to explore the local arts. Burnaby also has the Burnaby Village Museum and Burnaby Art Gallery ready for self exploration.
Diverse population – Burnaby is a diverse city with people from all over the world calling it home. The city has a large Asian population, with over 40% of Burnaby's residents identifying as Chinese, Filipino, or South Asian. Burnaby also has one of the highest concentrations of Japanese Canadians in Canada.
Thriving business scene – Burnaby offers a thriving business scene catering to local businesses and multinational corporations. Burnaby is home to some of British Columbia's largest companies, including Telus Corporation and Ballard Power Systems Inc., among many others. For startups and entrepreneurs, Burnaby offers numerous opportunities to grow and build your business.
Abundant recreational opportunities – Burnaby residents have plenty of recreational opportunities to choose from, including golf courses, tennis courts, bike trails, swimming pools, and so much more. Burnaby is also home to the Burnaby Winter Club – one of the top-rated hockey rinks in Canada. It has the highest number of youth hockey teams in British Columbia and hosts numerous tournaments throughout the year. Burnaby also offers a variety of parks and green spaces, allowing residents to enjoy the outdoors.
Excellent transit system – Burnaby is well-connected to the rest of British Columbia via an extensive public transit system, including the SkyTrain, bus service, and SeaBus. Burnaby residents have easy access to cities like Vancouver, New Westminster, and Surrey without having to drive. If you work in Vancouver and need to get to Burnaby quickly, the SkyTrain is your best bet. Burnaby is also served by highways 1 and 7, making it easy to get around the city and to neighboring cities and towns.
Quality of life – Burnaby residents enjoy a high quality of life. Burnaby is a safe and peaceful city with low crime rates, great schools, and plenty of parks, recreational activities, and cultural attractions. Burnaby also offers some of the best healthcare in Canada, with easy access to medical facilities like Burnaby Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital.
Best Restaurants – Burnaby has a bustling food scene with plenty of restaurants to choose from. Burnaby is known for its diverse cuisine, from Malaysian to Italian dishes. Due to its diverse population, Burnaby offers a wide range of restaurants to satisfy almost any taste. There are plenty of fine and casual dining establishments, all within easy reach.
Shopping – Burnaby offers some of the best shopping in British Columbia. Burnaby is home to Metropolis at Metrotown, Canada's second-largest shopping mall. Burnaby also offers numerous smaller malls, boutique stores, and independent retailers to choose from. Burnaby is also home to several outdoor markets and farmers' markets, offering fresh produce and artisanal goods.
Job Opportunities – Several of Canada's most significant businesses are headquartered in Burnaby, presenting outstanding employment prospects for Burnaby and nearby residents. It is home to companies and enterprises like Telus Corporation, Ballard Power Systems Inc., and BC Hydro. Burnaby also offers numerous career options for entrepreneurs and startups.
Central – Burnaby is adjacent to Vancouver, Coquitlam, New Westminster and Richmond BC. Featuring an abundance of recreational attractions and activities, excellent educational institutions, vibrant arts & culture scene, and diverse population – Burnaby truly offers something for everyone. Whether you're a young professional just starting out or an established business looking for new opportunities – Burnaby is sure to offer what you need.
CONs of Living in Burnaby
Burnaby is not cheap: Burnaby can be a bit expensive compared to other cities in British Columbia – making it less attractive for those on a tight budget. Burnaby also has a high cost of living, making it difficult for those with lower incomes to afford rent or purchase a home.
Traffic can be an issue: Burnaby can also have some traffic issues, particularly during rush hour when commuters are trying to get into or out of the city. Although heavy traffic can be avoided by taking the bus or Skytrain, Burnaby's traffic can still be a bit of an issue at times.
Very Spread Out: It is a fairly spread out city, so walking may not always be an option. Burnaby's sprawl can make it challenging to get around without a car. Burnaby also has some hills, which can make cycling difficult. It is recommended to have some kind of personal transport available if you are looking to live in Burnaby. Electric scooters and eBikes are great options for short commutes.
Some neighborhoods still need an upgrade: Although Burnaby is a great city, some neighborhoods could benefit from an upgrade. Burnaby is home to some older homes and buildings that may not be as attractive to some people.
Crime Rate: Although the crime rate in Burnaby is 3% higher than the national average, the severe crime rate remains 23% lower than the national average. Similarly, the year-over-year crime is also decreasing and is currently at minus 6%.