Burnaby North

Suburban living doesn’t have to be boring when you live in Burnaby. The Burnaby North neighbourhoods of Burnaby Heights, Capitol Hill, Willingdon Heights, UniverCity and Brentwood offer a mix of amenities and spaces that make the area more than just filler between New Westminster and Vancouver. Home to the home to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples – the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nations) – since time immemorial, the city is named after Burnaby Lake, in turn named after Robert Burnaby, a businessman who explored the area near the lake in 1859.

Burnaby Heights, which sits just opposite Vancouver in the northwest of Burnaby, is known as a shopping destination. Lots of shops line Hastings Street, including restaurants – like Anton’s and Chao Mami – boutiques and more. Every year, these businesses sponsor the Hats Off Day parade to thank their customers. The iconic neon “Heights” sign depicting a girl on a swing marks the neighbourhood as a landmark. Along the major roads in this area you can find condos, while the residential streets feature detached houses and some townhomes. Many properties feature stunning views of Downtown Vancouver to the west and the mountains to the north.

Green space in Burnaby.

Burnaby has made efforts to preserve green space while building homes to accommodate its growing population.

Named after the Capitoline Hill in Ancient Rome, Capitol Hill is east of Burnaby Heights and is primarily a residential area with many detached houses. Because of its elevated position, homes here have excellent views and tend to command high prices. At the top of Burnaby Mountain you’ll find UniverCity near SFU. This new community is being built with amenities, shops and more, plus easy access to the university. It consists of leaseholds held by SFU.

Located south of Burnaby Heights and primarily developed after the Second World War, Willingdon Heights features many post-war detached houses. It’s also home to Willingdon Heights Park, which has an off-leash dog area and the Willingdon Heights Community centre that attracts families. At the southern edge of this neighbourhood, you’ll find the Gilmore SkyTrain station and some shops, including a Costco. This area has condo and rental towers as well.

Brentwood is perhaps best known for The Amazing Brentwood, a high density area of condo towers, rental homes and a shopping mall. With its focus around Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain station, this area is expected to be an even larger hub in the future. But the areas to the north more distant from the station are still primarily single-family homes.

Many communities, one welcoming spirit.

Depending on where you land in Burnaby North, you’ll find different amenities and types of homes. But one constant throughout the city is the welcoming attitude and atmosphere of its residents. Home to a diverse mix of people from around the world, including families, single people and retirees, Burnaby North is a place that can suit just about everyone.

Currently hovering at around 270,000 residents, Burnaby as a whole, including Burnaby North, expects to add 100,000 people and 50,000 jobs by 2050. In response, you’ll likely see more towers popping up, plus townhomes and duplexes, triplexes and other multi-family developments on single-family lots. But the city’s welcoming spirit is likely to remain strong as it grows.