The PROS AND CONS of living in Burnaby BC

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks for watching! Let me know here if you want to see more videos about Burnaby! Call/Text Direct - 604-831-4837 email: [e-mail] www.calendly.com/albrechtgroup

[@Fred-c1c]

Very good comprehensive video summing up the lifestyle in Burnaby.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thank you, @user-hm1ry6wv2c! I really appreciate that...and hope that you continue to check out past and future videos on the channel! :)

[@suekuan1540]

Vancouver is separated by one street to which the border becomes burnaby. It basically vancouver in my interpretation. The lots here are generally bigger than most of Vancouver except for the rich areas called Shaunghnessy and Fairview and a couple others

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@suekuan1540 I hear what you are saying. There are certainly areas of Burnaby (like Burnaby Heights) that feel more Vancouver than others. And areas that feel MUCH less like Vancouver (say, Metrotown for example). ...and just for clarification for anyone reading this, Shaughnessy is known as a luxury neighborhood with large single family residential lots. Fairview, however, is not. It's mostly condos and townhouses and the few houses in that area are generally on regular Vancouver city lots (or smaller). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching!

[@rickvug]

Good video, completely agree with all points. You touched on it but if I was to add another con for Burnaby it would be the lack of charm or character in most areas. This is quite subjective but compared to older areas such as Vancouver or New Westminster the housing is largely cookie cutter boxes. There are fewer leafy streets with nice character homes. The flip side of this, which is a pro for many, is that those newer boxy homes make up for their lack of charm with practicality and lower costs to maintain. This same lack of sense of place spills over into a sense of shared community. Burnaby is more of a clustering of centres rather than a cohesive city with a strong community identity.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

I appreciate that @rickvug...and thank you for contributing your experience to the discussion! I think those are great observations.

[@OutWestwithJeff]

I hadn't been out to Burnaby in quite a long time, but was there a couple times over the summer. I was very impressed by many of the new high rises, particularly around Metrotown and Brentwood. Lots of modern sleek buildings going up. And, I had forgotten how great Central Park is. Another excellent video, Sir!

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@jeffpurves1248 There's definitely been a lot of new development throughout Burnaby, but especially Metrotown and Brentwood! And thank you, I appreciate your continued support! :)

[@micrasystems]

Burnaby is a great place to live and work.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@micrasystems thanks for watching and for sharing your opinion! :)

[@GOLDHenArmy]

SFU was designed by Arthur Erickson.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@GOLDHenArmy Yep! I didn't appreciate it much as a kid, but I admire it as an adult. :)

[@reggiecheer8331]

Thanks a lot for the video. We are visiting our relatives in Burnaby for two weeks in the end of April. There is our son who is almost 3 years old and 3 adults. Wondering if renting a car is more convenient to travel around in Burnaby and Vancouver? Thank you 🙏

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Hi @reggiecheer8331! It kinda depends on where in Burnaby you are staying (eg are you near a Skytrain station?)...and what you plan on doing while you are here. Transit is pretty easy, quick, cheap and reliable...but yes, having a car (if in your budget) will definitely make things a lot more convenient.

[@crocScript]

I would like to know about the cost of living in Barnaby.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Stay tuned @crocScript...I've got one just for you in the pipeline featuring the cost of living in Burnaby. ;)

[@jobanthind9106]

Please do 1 video on Surrey. It’s huge, area vise and has so many neighborhoods. Thanks

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@jobanthind9106 Yeah, for sure. It's on the list. You are 100% correct in that it IS huge but I'll see what I can do. :)

[@elai3147]

6:28 , the average condo in burnaby costs MORE than vancouver, why is that?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Nope! Great question (and good catch, @elai3147). My apologies. I got the numbers backwards for some reason in the heat of the moment. In September 2023 the MLS HPI Price Index was $785K for BURNABY and $812K for Vancouver (I said it backwards in the video). It's closer than the difference between Townhouses and Houses but definitely not higher in Burnaby than Vancouver. And the reason? I'd say that the typical condo in Burnaby (what the HPI is based on) is newer and bigger than in Vancouver. They are cheaper $/SF but close in total cost to Vancouver.

[@celdred]

What about the homeless and drug problem?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@catherinequintana2428 There is some visibility of a homeless/drug issue in Burnaby, but it's not that significant in comparison to parts of Surrey or the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver. It's a topic that I cover in many of my videos...but not all of them.

[@markli4479]

One bad thing you haven’t mentioned in Burnaby is the homeless and city cleanliness, especially in S Burnaby.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@markli4479 True, I didn't mention it...while it's not perfect, it's not as bad (in my opinion) as it is in some of the neighboring cities (like Vancouver, New West or Surrey) so I felt that other things were worth mentioning a head of this issue. But it's worth mentioning so thank you for bringing it up...and for checking out my video!

[@Rmrus]

I'm going to move there from New Brunswick ..is BCIT a good college?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Cool @rmrus! I actually went to university in NB....and yes, BCIT is considered a very good quality career-oriented college. But obviously, some programs have better reputations than others. What will you be studying?

[@Rmrus]

@@LivingInVancouver-BC Computer system tecnology(software..) I also accepted in NBCC here in Moncton the same program, I don't know what to do, not finalize yet... to stay here in NB or move BC... Just interms of job after finishing the program... which one is better BC or NB...

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Well...I think you are going to have much more opportunity in Vancouver than in NB. There are going to be fewer jobs and the jobs that exist will be lowering paying in the maritimes than here in Vancouver...but the cost of living will be lower.

[@landonbarretto4933]

I'll stay in West Van.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Haha, @landonbarretto4933! :)

[@vicariouswitness]

Millennium line means you need to transfer at Broadway terminal. The more “chill out line” is the Expo line, Surrey to Downtown. Brentwood mall has become a sleepy center…. just habitation apartments but good car centric for Hwy1. Burnaby has bigger houses , so nightlife is either in the basement or at the park.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Appreciate the insights @vicariouswitness! I agree!

[@nadinechristopher7188]

Love your videos. I will be moving to bc to work in Burnaby. I need all the information on moving to live and work in Burnaby

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Amazing @nadinechristopher7188! Thank you for watching and sharing! I hope that the videos help with your move!

[@frankielee908]

a little joke about shopping malls, but it's true... in Malaysia, all of the shopping malls built here has two purposes - one for business and another is "heat-shelter"... most people window shops and utilize the "free" air-conditioning in shopping malls.. TRAFFIC wise, I'd get a motorbike..

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

100%! In some parts of Canada people go to the mall to escape either the heat of summer or the cold of winter. In Vancouver, we don't really have those temperature extremes so it's not as much of a motivating factor...although I wouldn't be surprised if someone people will head to the mall to escape a rainy winter day. ...and yes, a motorbike can definitely help navigate traffic. But, keep in mind the colder and wetter winter weather here. Many people will ride in the summer months and then use alternatives in the winter. Thanks for continuing to watch and share! :)

[@guidodelbo]

Love the outdoor filming videos!!! Please keep them coming, I really enjoyed this one showcasing Burnaby! 🤩

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks, @guidodelbo! I appreciate that very much...and I'll do my best to do more of this style in the future.

[@wenkoffs]

It’s extra work but it’s great seeing the locations

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks, @wenkoffs! I will try and do more of it as I can. :)

[@chrisg5853]

I grew up in Burnaby, specifically in The Heights area during the 80s but my family moved when I was in Grade 8. I loved it and my dream is when I finally retire to return there. I have been back many times and agree the natural beauty is one of its biggest draws and like New West it's central location in the Lower Mainland is a huge draw. Great video!

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks, @chrisg5853. Appreciate you watching and sharing your experience! I hope that you get a chance to move back one day. :)

[@wenkoffs]

Great video! It looks like so much work with all the on location shooting but the end results are worth it. You did a great job at showing the vibe of the city!

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks, @wenkoffs! I really appreciate that. Filming on location adds a whole new set of challenges, that's for sure! But I agree, people want to see the areas I'm talking about rather than just hear me talk. ;) You must be work in the film/tv industry I'm guessing?

[@GOLDHenArmy]

Isn’t Barnet Marine Park also a park in BBY? The only beach in BBY.

[@chaosinsurgency236]

I live right next to central park can someone tell me why tf is the gas price here so different to the costco near brentwood

[@taniarifodeharo1254]

Hi! I'll move to BC soon. I'm thinking about study at the Vancouver Career College, at Burnaby's Campus, in the future. I know that this College has other campuses, but the program that I want is there. So, I wonder if is there an other location for rent an apartment, not too far from Burnaby, but less expensive to live. Have you any recommendation?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Congrats on your move to Metro Vancouver! In that area of Burnaby rents will be fairly reasonable (relatively speaking). If you are looking for cheaper options i would look further out along the Expo Skytrain line. Possibly in New Westminster…but you’ll want to make sure that you are ok with that commute.

[@UltraJericho]

Oh thanks you, I was actually wondering about this suburb. Another good video :)

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks, @ultrajericho! I appreciate that and thank you for checking it out!

[@lekshmirs6358]

any partime job availability is there? what about the rent in Burnaby ?I am a student in UCW vancover, is it to far ?please reply

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@lekshmirs6328 yes, there are part time jobs in Burnaby. Rent will be a little less than in Vancouver…but fairly close to the same amounts. If you are on the skytrain route it’s not a long commute. Maybe 20 minutes into downtown?

[@lilik2255]

Thanks for the informative video😊

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@lilik2255 You are very welcome! Glad that you found and enjoyed it!

[@DungTran-hw7jz]

thank you for your video. I am looking forward to watching more about this city before making a huge decision next summer. Once again, thank you ❤

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

My pleasure @DungTran-hw7jz! I'm happy to hear that you are finding my channel helpful. Let me know if there are any particular topics you are curious about...and I wish you all the best in making your exciting (but challenging) decision!

[@sagarbasnet7299]

1 bed room or a studio apart avilable? how much would they cost? are rents paid weekly or monthly ? what about jobs? types of jobs?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@sagarbasnet7299 How much would they cost to rent or purchase? Rents are always paid monthly in Canada. As for jobs, there's a lot of IT and film work now in Burnaby as well as work in healthcare and education. But you are central to many other parts of Vancouver so not limited to jobs in Burnaby.

[@sagarbasnet7299]

@@LivingInVancouver-BC cost of rent. for someone who is not from It or film. what are good paying hard labour jobs that is in demand. or jobs that require skills which can be obtained in short period through training.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@sagarbasnet7299 Pretty sure i mentioned typical rents in Burnaby in the cost of housing section. But it’s about 10% less than Vancouver. Unless you have skills or education you are likely to struggle in Vancouver. Low skilled jobs don’t typically pay enough to cover your cost of living here…but construction would probably be one where if you hustle and make the right moves you can eke out a decent living. Good luck!

[@MEIMOUNAMINTSIDIOULDDEOULA]

Useful always

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thank you @user-vs6bd2km9h!

[@helenelittmann8875]

Lougheed Mall is still pretty sad. The Bay is shutting down.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@helenelittmann8875 Yep, it's the saddest of the big malls in Burnaby. But, it's also seeing a lot of new development and will continue to change for the better...that's the plan at least.

[@iamlaws1232]

I don't know if I fully agree with you that Lougheed Mall is the saddest of big malls in Burnaby. During my early childhood in Coquitlam, where Lougheed Mall now stands was mostly a rural acreage on North Road that really challenged the resourcefulness of my WWII veteran dad who owned 2/3 of it and could not, for the life of him, get Burnaby (then Municipality of Burnaby: no "City" in its title!) to approve his dream development for the place: a golf driving range. By the time the mall development people finally got around to buying it from us, my father had passed away and the then astonishing price of $70,000 they paid for the acreage went a long way towards filling the income gap he left his wife--our mother--and us two children, who by that time (mid 1960s) had relocated to Abbotsford. Now the Bay--the last store that was there when the Mall first opened--will no longer open its doors to shoppers. These things happen in the course of progress. But does that make the mall sad? At one time Woolco on the other end of the Mall got really sad before it morphed into a thriving Walmart. I think, eventually, any anchor store in any mall will get old and tired and wither on the branch. But, the area is thriving and all the big banks still have branches in Lougheed Mall and likely will still be spitting money out of their ATMs to fund shopping at Lougheed Mall when sticking your head in the Bay to compare prices and quality is just another distant memory of a time and a place long past: sort of like my memories of giving apples to the horses my Dad used to board on the property back when North Road at Austin was a but a single lane in both directions and the only bank in the vicinity was Ray Mitchuk's Royal Bank branch at Cariboo Trails Shopping Centre across the way. Burquitlam has progressed some since those days, to be sure, but time has a way of doing that and I think it's not so sad.@@LivingInVancouver-BC

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@iamlaws1232 Thanks for sharing...I love hearing about the old history of areas/neighborhoods. Very cool that your family once owned that property. I'm sure that you have some good memories of your childhood on that farm.

[@Sweetsdy]

Hi there! You're our family's favorite BC insider lol. Any videos about Burnaby neighborhoods coming up soon?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@Sweetsdy Aw. That's really nice to hear. Happy that you are enjoying the videos! I don't have any immediate plans for any specific Burnaby neighborhoods...but I wouldn't say never. I'll put them on the list.

[@Shannyra]

I do wanna move to burnaby in the next view years together with my 2 daughters.i would love to have more inside views .

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@Shannyra I've got a couple of vidoes about living in Burnaby coming already. Stay tuned! :)

[@joeyhgimid9959]

You are letting out a big secret we all want to keep about living in Burnaby . I am a big NIMBY as you can tell . Me bad

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Haha @joeyhgimid9959 SORRY!

[@kaspermigi9456]

I lived there once for 3 months in summer, Burnaby is China, no kidding, I opened my doordash app, couldn't find a pizza place, every restaurant was Chinese....

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@kaspermigi9456 Do you not like chinese food?

[@kaspermigi9456]

@@LivingInVancouver-BC no i don't, but that's irrelevant, i didn't come to Canada so that I can live in China, its wrong.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@kaspermigi9456 I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt...where did you move to Canada from?

[@SlavaBanderastan]

it's called hongcouver for a reason mate.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Yes. We all come from somewhere.

[@AliAbdiaziz-qq9fu]

Hi bro how much can it be a rent in south surey 3 bedroom

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

It's about $3,200 right now for a 3 bedroom in Surrey (obviously can vary quite a bit because Surrey is massive and has a range of different types of neighborhoods).

[@gabriellafox7948]

20+yr Calgary agent here, great video! I honestly don’t know how people can afford to live there, especially singles, and those on disability or pension income. I almost moved to Vancouver 30 years ago but I’m so glad I stayed in Calgary,, for economic reasons. Hands-down BC is absolutely gorgeous,,if I could afford it, and my young adult kids would come, I would move there in a heartbeat. Stay awesome!🕊

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@gabriellafox7948 Thanks for checking out the channel and sharing your thoughts. And yes, affordability is definitely an issue here in Vancouver...just as it's been a driver for the popularity of Calgary in recent years. Hopefully, you'll at least get to visit us once in a while! :)

[@abbey1999]

How’s the weather in YVC ?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

I'm not sure what you are referring to with "YVC"?

[@abbey1999]

@@LivingInVancouver-BC sorry three letter airport code for Vancouver I think…

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Ah got it. That's why I was confused...it's YVR for Vancouver. :) Not sure if you mean how's the weather right now, or just in general...but if it's in general then I've got a few videos for you. In fact, I have a whole playlist on Vancouver weather: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpnOn5uVnMqJr7s

[@bdidimful]

Is it realistic to live in Burnaby without a car? If I go to sfu for example

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@bdidimful It'll depend on what you think is a reasonable time to commute. Yes, it's possible to survive without a car in Burnaby, but it wouldn't be super convenient...unless you lived on Burnaby Mountain itself that is.

[@bdidimful]

@@LivingInVancouver-BC thank you! If I hope to study at sfu but I don’t want to own a car, where would you recommend living for an easy commute?

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

No problem @bdidimful. There’s housing on Burnaby mountain (which is where sfu is) which would make the shortest commute…but anywhere in that vicinity would do.

[@gentlydown41]

I do. If you have easy access to the r5 or millennium line it's easy. When you account for the time it takes to find a spot on the mountain and then walk all the way from the lots it's about the same.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks for sharing your experience @gentlydown41! Plus, you save money on parking!

[@PriomCAN]

Great one as usual! please do a pros & cons on South Surrey BC. Planning to move there soon🙂

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Thanks @PriomCAN! A video about South Surrey/White Rock is overdue and on my list for sure.

[@PriomCAN]

@@LivingInVancouver-BC thank you..

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

My pleasure @PriomCAN!

[@nan2yvr804]

Burnaby is not a SUBURB of Vancouver. The signs read CITY OF BURNABY! I have lived in Burnaby for 48 years and love my city. It’s just as expensive as City of Vancouver. And only Brentwood and Lougheed Malls are getting upgraded.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@nan2yvr804 Thanks for watching the video and sharing your thoughts. I'll have to disagree with you. By just about any definition Burnaby IS a suburb of Vancouver. The fact that it is called a city doesn't refute the point. Many suburbs of Vancouver are also called cities...like North Vancouver, Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, New Westminster, etc. Because a place is called a "city" doesn't keep it from being a suburb. And no, it's not just as expensive as Vancouver. There is a difference in housing prices. Land is definitely less expensive in Burnaby and this is reflected in typical prices. If you compare apples to apples (eg same age, quality and lot size) Vancouver prices are higher. ...and lastly, all four town centres (Lougheed, Brentwood, Edmonds and Metrotown) are targeted for higher density and development. And now with the provincial governments intervention allowing even more density around skytrain stations this development will only increase.

[@xceed09]

Here’s a random question why do most Canadian houses have wooden floors like they aren’t carpeted it’s just furnished wooden floors ? It’s rare that I come across a house in Canada where the house is fully carpeted - and I’m from New Zealand

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@xcwes09 That’s very true. I think a Canadian would be surprised that houses in other countries didn’t have wood floors (or a wood-like product). Old houses tended to have wooden floors (because we have so much lumber and it was cheap). Area rugs were added to help insulate. At some point in the 50s/60s (not sure exactly when) it became more common to cover the wood floor or sub-floor with wall to wall carpets. That lasted into the late 80s/early 90s when it started to become fashionable again to expose the wood floors. Likely also partially because our ability to heat and insulate had also improved. These days, most new houses in Vancouver will have wood floors in the main living areas but will often have carpeted bedrooms…condos typically would be all wood or wood-like.

[@ThemobileUnity]

culture

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

@themobileunity Appreciate you trying to answer @xcwes09...but not sure exactly what you mean when you say it's culture?

[@migtig5544]

A lot of people like wood floors, and they are seen as more desireable than installed carpet. One of the first things my parents did after moving into their new house was tear out all the carpet to expose the hardwood floors, in all rooms, even the bedrooms. I personally hate hard flooring in living spaces, but a lot of people here prefer it.

[@LivingInVancouver-BC]

Yep @migtig5544!