Burnaby North
Johnny Doan
Burnaby North resident
Food, friends and family.
Johnny Doan loves living in Burnaby and sharing good times with neighbours.
Johnny Doan is part of the Chao Mami restaurant family in Burnaby North. He’s spent over 25 years here and loves the amenities, lifestyle and community in the area. Here are some of his thoughts and opinions about the area.
Can you tell us a bit about who you are?
Johnny Doan, I'm a part of the Chao Mami restaurant family, offering Mom’s home cooked meals to locals and patrons all over the city
Why did you move to Burnaby?
My parents made the call.
How long have you lived in Burnaby?
Over 25 years.
Has it changed since you moved here? How so?
Yes, Burnaby has grown and has densified quite immensely (Metrotown, Brentwood, Highgate).
What sort of home do you live in? (Rental, detached house, condo, etc.)
Detached.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to move to Burnaby?
Burnaby is a very well run city and has lots of large pockets of different neighbourhoods that may suit your needs.
What are the biggest housing challenges you see in Burnaby?
Housing has gone up three times in price since I moved here. A lot of detached homes, not as high density as Vancouver.
Favourite thing about Burnaby?
The large amount of living space - it has two downtowns: Metrotown and Brentwood. Lots of greenery, not as congested for traffic.
In your opinion, what are the best kept secrets of Burnaby?
Green space, the close vicinity to Vancouver, well-kept city.
What are your favourite local traditions?
Hats Off Day, fireworks at Central Park, events at Swangard Stadium.
What is it like raising a family in Burnaby? (If applicable.)
Amazing, the school system is super supportive
How are you involved with Burnaby? (Local shops you frequent, volunteering, sports teams, etc.)
We frequent a lot of restaurants in Burnaby, support local businesses and spend a lot of time here.
Where’s the best place in Burnaby for a coffee? A nice dinner? A drink?
The best place in Burnaby for a nice meal is Mom’s house: Chao Mami restaurant! There’s a plethora of great local coffee shops on Hastings St. Burnaby has quite an array of different cuisines that are awesome, you can get almost anything in Burnaby! Although in terms of drinking there isn't much of a night life. If it's a bubble tea drink, there are tons!
What are some stereotypes people hold about Burnaby? Do you think they’re true? Why or why not?
That it's far, or not as exciting as Vancouver. It can be very close (Metrotown) or it can be quite far (SFU), it really depends but in Burnaby, you have a lot of options. Burnaby has its own version of excitement along with a nice balance of relaxation. It's got two downtowns, with both of them slated to grow even more drastically in the next 10-20 years. The two downtowns are only 10 – 15 minutes apart north and south.
What do you do for fun in Burnaby?
Lots and lots of eating out at different restaurants, hanging out at the parks, and shopping at the malls.
Where do you work and how is the commute?
Chao Mami restaurant, the commute is great; it's so close to home and rarely ever a ton of traffic!
If you could distill Burnaby down to three words, what would they be?
Community, Forward, Future
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