Living in Burnaby: A Newcomer's Guide

Burnaby is a city of approximately 260,000 people located in the heart of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, bordered by Vancouver to the west and the Tri-Cities (Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody) to the east. As Metro Vancouver's third-largest municipality, Burnaby combines urban density with significant green space — Burnaby Mountain and Central Park are defining features of the city. Two SkyTrain rapid transit lines pass through the city, making Burnaby one of the most transit-accessible suburbs in Canada.

For newcomers, Burnaby offers strong transit connections to jobs across Metro Vancouver, more affordable housing than the City of Vancouver, a highly diverse population, and major educational institutions including Simon Fraser University and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

Why Newcomers Choose Burnaby

Transit accessibility: Two SkyTrain lines (Expo and Millennium) provide rapid transit access across Metro Vancouver.
More affordable than Vancouver: Rent and housing costs are lower than in the City of Vancouver while remaining well-connected.
Diverse community: Over half of Burnaby's population identifies as a visible minority, with large Chinese, South Asian, Korean, Filipino, and other communities.
Major employers: Metropolis at Metrotown is one of Canada's largest shopping centres, and the city hosts offices for tech companies, film studios, and healthcare employers.
Education: Simon Fraser University and BCIT are located in Burnaby.
Green spaces: Burnaby Mountain, Central Park, Burnaby Lake, and Deer Lake offer abundant nature within the city.

Cost of Living

Burnaby is less expensive than Vancouver but remains one of BC's higher-cost cities.

Rent

1-bedroom apartment (near SkyTrain/Metrotown): $2,000 - $2,400/month
1-bedroom apartment (suburban areas): $1,800 - $2,100/month
2-bedroom apartment (central): $2,500 - $3,100/month
2-bedroom apartment (suburbs): $2,200 - $2,800/month
Shared room / basement suite: $900 - $1,300/month

Other Monthly Costs

Groceries (single person): $320 - $450
Public transit pass (TransLink Zone 1-2): $131/month (adult, 2-zone)
Utilities (heat, electricity, water for a 1-bed): $100 - $170
Internet: $60 - $90
Mobile phone plan: $40 - $70

Tips for Saving Money

Use a Compass Card for TransLink transit — monthly passes cover SkyTrain, bus, and SeaBus.
Asian supermarkets (T&T, H-Mart, Crystal Mall grocers) offer competitive prices on produce and international foods.
Many free parks and trails throughout the city provide no-cost recreation year-round.
Burnaby Public Library offers free programs, events, and digital resources.

Best Neighborhoods for Newcomers

Metrotown

Burnaby's de facto downtown, centred around Metropolis at Metrotown shopping centre and Metrotown SkyTrain station. High-rise condos and apartment towers offer rental options. Excellent transit access, diverse dining, and services. One of the most densely populated and diverse areas in Metro Vancouver.

Brentwood / Lougheed

Rapidly developing areas along the Millennium SkyTrain line with new condo towers, retail, and community amenities. Brentwood Town Centre has undergone major transformation. Good transit access and growing services.

Edmonds

A residential area near Edmonds SkyTrain station in south Burnaby. More affordable than Metrotown with a neighbourhood feel. Edmonds Community Centre provides recreation and social services. Growing rental supply in newer developments.

Burnaby North / Hastings-Sunrise Border

Northern Burnaby near the Vancouver border. Access to the Millennium SkyTrain line and bus routes. A mix of older single-family homes and newer townhomes. Close to the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) area and Hastings Park.

Burnaby Mountain / UniverCity

A planned community adjacent to Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain. Designed for walkability with shops, services, and SFU's campus nearby. Popular with students and university-affiliated residents. Served by bus routes connecting to the SkyTrain.

Job Market and Top Industries

Burnaby's economy is diverse and benefits from its central Metro Vancouver location.

Technology: Electronic Arts (EA) Canada has its headquarters in Burnaby, one of the largest video game studios in the world. Other tech companies including Ballard Power Systems, D-Wave Systems, and various software firms operate in the city.
Film and Television: Burnaby is part of "Hollywood North." The city hosts film studios including the Bridge Studios, where many major productions are filmed. Jobs in production, post-production, and support services.
Retail and Hospitality: Metropolis at Metrotown is one of Canada's largest malls, employing thousands. Numerous hotels, restaurants, and service businesses across the city.
Healthcare: Burnaby Hospital provides local healthcare services. Many residents work in healthcare across Metro Vancouver.
Education: Simon Fraser University and BCIT are major employers.
Construction: Significant ongoing development in Metrotown, Brentwood, and Lougheed creates demand for construction and skilled trades.
Public Administration: The City of Burnaby and other government agencies provide employment.

Job Search Resources

Job Bank (Government of Canada): jobbank.gc.ca
Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC): issbc.org — employment services for newcomers across Metro Vancouver.
MOSAIC: mosaicbc.org — employment, language, and settlement programs.
WorkBC: workbc.ca — provincial job search resources and employment centres.

Public Transit and Getting Around

SkyTrain

Burnaby is served by two SkyTrain lines operated by TransLink:

Expo Line: Runs through southern Burnaby with stations at Metrotown, Patterson, Royal Oak, and Edmonds, connecting to downtown Vancouver and Surrey.
Millennium Line: Runs through northern Burnaby with stations at Brentwood, Holdom, Sperling-Burnaby Lake, Lake City Way, and Production Way-University, connecting to VCC-Clark and Lafarge Lake-Douglas in the Tri-Cities.

Bus

TransLink operates extensive bus routes throughout Burnaby, including frequent service on major corridors. Buses connect to SkyTrain stations and serve areas not directly on the rail lines.

Compass Card

A Compass Card is used for all TransLink services (SkyTrain, bus, SeaBus). Monthly passes range from $104 (1 zone) to $181 (3 zones), depending on travel zones. Burnaby travel to Vancouver is typically 2 zones.

Cycling

Burnaby has a growing cycling network with bike routes and the BC Parkway multi-use path running along the Expo SkyTrain line. Cycling is practical for commuting in flatter areas.

Driving

Burnaby is accessible via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and Highway 7A. Traffic congestion during rush hours is common. Parking is available but can be limited near SkyTrain stations and Metrotown.

Settlement Services and Newcomer Organizations

Key Organizations

Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC): issbc.org — one of BC's largest settlement agencies, providing employment support, language training, settlement counselling, and refugee resettlement services.
MOSAIC: mosaicbc.org — multilingual employment, language, settlement, and family services across Metro Vancouver, with programs accessible from Burnaby.
Burnaby Neighbourhood House: burnabynh.ca — community programs, family services, and newcomer support.
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.: successbc.ca — settlement, language, employment, and family services with a strong focus on Chinese-speaking and other immigrant communities.
Burnaby Public Library: bpl.bc.ca — newcomer resources, English conversation circles, and settlement information at all branches.

Services Typically Offered

LINC language classes (English)
Employment workshops, job matching, and mentorship
Housing search assistance
Orientation to Canadian systems
Translation and interpretation services
Youth and family programs
Mental health and counselling support
Refugee-specific settlement services

Immigrant Communities

Burnaby is one of Metro Vancouver's most diverse cities:

Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking): The largest visible minority group. Extensive infrastructure including Crystal Mall, Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, language schools, and community organizations.
South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan): A significant community with temples, gurudwaras, grocery stores, and cultural organizations.
Korean: A growing community with Korean restaurants, churches, and businesses, particularly around Lougheed.
Filipino: A well-established community active in healthcare and community life.
Japanese: A historical community with cultural centres and organizations.
Iranian and Middle Eastern: Growing communities with businesses and cultural organizations.

Schools and Education

Public Schools

Burnaby School District (SD41): burnabyschools.ca — operates over 40 elementary and 8 secondary schools with ESL programs and newcomer student support.

The district has a dedicated Welcome Centre for newcomer families and provides assessment, placement, and integration support.

Post-Secondary

Simon Fraser University (SFU): sfu.ca — located on Burnaby Mountain, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across the sciences, arts, business, education, and applied sciences. Known for research strength and community engagement.
British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT): bcit.ca — one of Canada's leading polytechnics, offering diplomas, certificates, and degree programs in technology, trades, health, and business. Popular with newcomers seeking practical career programs.

Healthcare

BC's public health insurance is the Medical Services Plan (MSP). New residents should apply for MSP coverage immediately upon arriving, as there may be a wait period. Interim private insurance is recommended.

Registering for MSP

Apply online through the BC Health Insurance BC website at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp.

Finding a Family Doctor

Register with the BC Health Connect Registry to be matched with a family doctor accepting new patients. Walk-in clinics are available across Burnaby for immediate non-emergency needs.

Hospitals

Burnaby Hospital: The local hospital with emergency, medical, surgical, and mental health services.

Things to Do

Metropolis at Metrotown: One of Canada's largest shopping centres with over 400 stores, dining, and entertainment.
Burnaby Mountain and SFU: Scenic mountain with hiking trails, viewpoints, and totem poles near SFU's campus.
Central Park: A large urban park with trails, sports facilities, a pitch-and-putt golf course, and the Swangard Stadium.
Deer Lake Park: A peaceful park with a lake, walking trails, the Burnaby Art Gallery, and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts.
Burnaby Village Museum: A heritage village recreating life in the 1920s, with a restored carousel and heritage buildings.
Crystal Mall: A popular Asian mall with food courts, shops, and services.

Free and Low-Cost Activities

Hike the trails on Burnaby Mountain for panoramic views of the city and mountains.
Walk around Deer Lake and visit the free outdoor art installations.
Explore Central Park's extensive trail network.
Attend free community events and festivals throughout the year.
Use the Burnaby Public Library for free programs and resources.

Weather and Climate

Burnaby shares Metro Vancouver's mild oceanic climate.

Winter (December - February): Mild and rainy, 2C to 7C. Snow is rare at lower elevations but possible. Overcast skies are common.
Spring (March - May): Mild, 8C to 16C. Decreasing rain with sunny periods.
Summer (June - August): Warm and mostly dry, 18C to 25C. Occasional heat waves above 30C.
Fall (September - November): Cool and increasingly rainy, 6C to 14C.

Climate Tips for Newcomers

A quality waterproof rain jacket and waterproof shoes are essential year-round.
An umbrella is a daily necessity from October through April.
Winters are much milder than most of Canada — heavy winter coats are usually unnecessary.
Summer is beautiful with long daylight hours; enjoy the outdoor season.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect people during the dark, rainy months. Light therapy lamps and staying active help.

Key Links and Resources

Government of Canada — Newcomer Services: canada.ca/immigration
BC Settlement and Integration Services: welcomebc.ca
ISSofBC: issbc.org
MOSAIC: mosaicbc.org
S.U.C.C.E.S.S.: successbc.ca
Burnaby Public Library: bpl.bc.ca
MSP Registration: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/msp
TransLink: translink.ca
Job Bank: jobbank.gc.ca
211 BC: bc211.ca

Final Thoughts

Burnaby offers newcomers an excellent balance of urban accessibility, cultural diversity, and relative affordability within Metro Vancouver. The city's two SkyTrain lines make it one of the most transit-connected suburbs in Canada, providing easy access to employment centres across the region. With major employers in technology, film production, retail, and education, job opportunities span a range of industries and skill levels. Burnaby's diverse communities — particularly its large Chinese, South Asian, Korean, and Filipino populations — create a welcoming environment with familiar cultural services and supports. Connect with ISSofBC, MOSAIC, or S.U.C.C.E.S.S. early for settlement support, explore the city's abundant parks and green spaces, and take advantage of the educational opportunities at SFU and BCIT.