Burnaby has a little bit of everything: glassy condo towers at Brentwood and Metrotown, a real neighbourhood high street in the Heights, big family lots around Deer Lake, and some of the best transit in Metro Vancouver. It’s also a lot more affordable than Vancouver for similar space. Here’s how its main neighbourhoods compare.
What Are the Best Neighbourhoods in Burnaby?
There’s no single best area. It depends on whether you want a condo near SkyTrain, a family home near good schools, or the best value for your budget. Here’s the quick version:
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Main home type | Typical price range (fall 2026) | SkyTrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brentwood | New condos, young professionals | Concrete condos | $600,000 to $1,100,000 | Brentwood, Gilmore |
| Metrotown | Transit, shopping, investors | Condos | $575,000 to $1,000,000 | Metrotown, Patterson, Royal Oak |
| Burnaby Heights | Village feel, detached homes | Detached, some condos | $1,900,000 to $2,800,000 (detached) | No (bus) |
| Capitol Hill | Views | Detached | $1,800,000 to $2,700,000 | No (bus) |
| Deer Lake and Buckingham Heights | Families, luxury | Large detached | $2,300,000 to $5,000,000+ | Nearby (Metrotown, Sperling) |
| Lougheed | Value near SkyTrain | Condos | $575,000 to $950,000 | Lougheed Town Centre |
| Edmonds and Highgate | First-time buyers | Condos, townhomes | $475,000 to $800,000 | Edmonds |
The Burnaby benchmark price for all property types was about $877,000 in September 2026, well below the Metro Vancouver average. Treat the ranges above as rough guides, and check recent sales before you buy.
Brentwood: Best for New Condos and SkyTrain
Brentwood has changed more than any part of Burnaby in the last decade. It’s now a cluster of high-rise towers around The Amazing Brentwood shopping centre, with the Millennium Line’s Brentwood and Gilmore stations right there.
- Why people love it: new concrete buildings with gyms and concierges, shops and restaurants downstairs, about 20 minutes to downtown on SkyTrain.
- Things to know: lots of supply, so prices are competitive and resale can take time. Lots of construction.
- Best for: first-time buyers, young professionals, downsizers and investors.
See current listings and details on our Brentwood neighbourhood page.
Metrotown: Best for Transit, Shopping and Investors
Metrotown is Burnaby’s downtown, built around Metropolis at Metrotown, the biggest mall in BC, and three Expo Line stations.
- Why people love it: everything is walkable, the Expo Line gets you downtown in about 20 minutes, and Central Park is close by.
- Things to know: busy and dense, with a mix of brand-new towers and older 1970s and 1980s low-rises.
- Best for: investors (strong rental demand), students, commuters and anyone who doesn’t want to drive.
Explore homes on our Metrotown neighbourhood page.
Burnaby Heights: Best for Village Feel and Detached Homes
Burnaby Heights, or “the Heights,” runs along Hastings Street in North Burnaby, right next to Vancouver’s East side. It has independent cafés, bakeries, restaurants and grocers, and many homes have views of the North Shore mountains.
- Why people love it: a real neighbourhood high street, close to Confederation Park, and about 15 minutes to downtown by car.
- Things to know: detached homes are pricey, and transit is bus-based.
- Best for: families and couples who want a walkable village with house-style living.
More on the Burnaby Heights neighbourhood page.
Capitol Hill: Best for Views
Capitol Hill sits on the ridge in North Burnaby with some of the best views in the city, looking over Burrard Inlet to the North Shore mountains.
- Why people love it: big views, quiet streets, close to the Heights and Hastings Street shops.
- Things to know: it’s hilly, and most homes are detached with prices to match.
- Best for: families and buyers who want views without West Vancouver prices.
See the Capitol Hill neighbourhood page.
Deer Lake and Buckingham Heights: Best for Families and Luxury
This is Burnaby’s most prestigious pocket. Deer Lake Park has walking trails, the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Burnaby Village Museum, and Buckingham Heights has large lots and luxury homes on quiet, leafy streets.
- Why people love it: big lots, mature trees, quiet streets, and Metrotown is still only minutes away.
- Things to know: this is the top of the Burnaby market, and newer homes often top $4 million.
- Best for: established families and luxury buyers.
See the Buckingham Heights neighbourhood page.
Lougheed and Burquitlam Border: Best Value Near SkyTrain
Around Lougheed Town Centre, where the Expo and Millennium Lines meet, a whole new neighbourhood of towers is going up. Just across the border in Coquitlam, Burquitlam is doing the same.
- Why people love it: newer condos for less than Brentwood or Metrotown, with two SkyTrain lines.
- Things to know: it’s still under construction, and the mall redevelopment will take years.
- Best for: buyers who want new construction and transit on a tighter budget.
If you’re also looking just over the line, see our Burquitlam neighbourhood page and our comparison of Burnaby vs Coquitlam.
Edmonds and Highgate: Best for First-Time Buyers
In southeast Burnaby, the Edmonds and Highgate areas offer some of the most affordable condos and townhomes in the city, with the Edmonds Expo Line station and Highgate Village shopping.
- Why people love it: lower prices, good transit, community centres and parks, and lots of new projects.
- Things to know: older buildings mixed with new, and a more suburban feel.
- Best for: first-time buyers and young families on a budget.
See the Highgate neighbourhood page.
North Burnaby vs South Burnaby: Key Differences
| North Burnaby | South Burnaby | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Older, leafy, hilly, more village-like | Busier, flatter, more urban |
| Main areas | Heights, Capitol Hill, Brentwood, SFU | Metrotown, Deer Lake, Edmonds, Highgate |
| Views | Mountains and inlet | Fewer, some city and Fraser River views |
| Transit | Millennium Line, buses | Expo Line, very strong |
| Shopping | Hastings Street, Brentwood | Metrotown, Highgate |
| Commute to downtown | Quick by car via Hastings | Quick by SkyTrain |
| Price | Higher for detached homes | Wider range, more condos |
Weighing Burnaby against Vancouver itself? Our Vancouver vs Burnaby comparison breaks down prices and lifestyle side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burnaby Neighbourhoods
Is Burnaby cheaper than Vancouver?
Generally, yes. Burnaby’s benchmark price was about $877,000 in September 2026, and condos and family homes usually cost less than similar homes in the City of Vancouver.
Which Burnaby neighbourhoods are closest to SkyTrain?
Metrotown, Brentwood, Lougheed and Edmonds are built around stations. Patterson, Royal Oak, Gilmore, Holdom and Sperling also have stations nearby.
Is Burnaby a safe place to live?
Yes, Burnaby is generally considered a safe city. As in any city, busier areas around malls and transit hubs see more property crime than quiet residential streets.
What are the best school areas in Burnaby?
Families often look at areas around Deer Lake, Buckingham Heights, Capitol Hill and the Heights. Catchments follow addresses, so check with the Burnaby School District before you buy.
Is Burnaby a good place to buy a condo?
Yes. Burnaby has one of the largest selections of newer concrete condos near SkyTrain in Metro Vancouver, which keeps rental demand strong. With lots of supply, buyers have good negotiating room in 2026.
Ready to Buy in Burnaby? Talk to a Burnaby Realtor
Choosing the right Burnaby neighbourhood is half the battle. Picking the right building or street is the other half. Navid Hakimi helps buyers compare Burnaby areas, buildings and price points, and negotiate the best deal in today’s market.
Visit our Burnaby real estate page to see listings, or contact Navid to plan your search.
Current as of October 2026. Price ranges are estimates based on recent market activity and vary by building, street and condition.
