Burnaby, Canada🏛️ Capital City🌊 Coastal
📊 Scores
Burnaby feels like Vancouver’s practical younger sibling—less flashy, more functional. The SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium Lines make commuting straightforward, though Metrotown station gets packed on weekends thanks to the massive mall. Rent isn’t cheap, but you’re paying for proximity to Vancouver without the downtown chaos.
Tech companies like Ballard Power and D-Wave anchor the local economy, and Simon Fraser University adds a youthful energy. The city’s parks and green spaces are a major perk—25% of Burnaby is open space, which is rare for a city this size. Just be ready for the rain; this is the Pacific Northwest, after all.
Burnaby works best for tech professionals and students who want access to Vancouver’s opportunities without living in its core. Retirees might find it too bustling, and digital nomads will likely crave more affordability.
🏚️ Cost of Living
💰 Budgets and Costs
Grocery Basket
Eating Out
Utilities & Lifestyle
Housing
💰 Real Spend Reports
🛡️ Safety & Crime
(Higher is safer)
(Lower is safer)
Burnaby is a very safe suburban city with low violent crime and strong community policing. Property crime exists but remains well below North American averages. The main concerns are petty theft in commercial areas and occasional package theft, typical of prosperous suburbs. Avoid isolated areas late at night, but neighborhoods like Metrotown and Edmonds are well-lit and secure. For American expats, this represents a significant safety upgrade over most U.S. cities—violent crime is rare, and the overall environment feels secure for daily life and remote work.
🏥 Healthcare
🌤️ Climate
Best Months
Climate Notes
Burnaby has a mild Pacific maritime climate with cool, wet winters (December-February, lows around -7°C) and warm, dry summers (June-August, highs around 30°C), making it comfortable year-round for expats accustomed to temperate regions.
💻 Digital Nomad
Community Notes
| Name | Price/mo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regus - Burnaby - Metrotower III | $250 | Located in the Metrotower III building in Metrotown, this Regus location offers a professional environment with flexible workspace options. It's a convenient choice for those seeking a reliable and established coworking brand with easy access to transit and amenities. |
| Spaces - Burnaby - Willingdon Business Park | $300 | Situated in the Willingdon Business Park, this Spaces location provides a modern and creative coworking environment. It's a good option for those seeking a more design-focused workspace with networking opportunities and a vibrant atmosphere. |
| WeWork - Burnaby - 4170 Still Creek Drive | $350 | Located on Still Creek Drive, this WeWork offers a modern, amenity-rich environment with a strong community focus. It's well-suited for digital nomads looking for a collaborative workspace with networking events and a convenient location. |
| Office Space Vancouver | $275 | While technically serving the broader Vancouver area, they have locations easily accessible from Burnaby. They offer flexible terms and a range of office solutions, suitable for remote workers needing a dedicated space or occasional meeting rooms. |
Planning to live in Burnaby long-term? Canada Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live legally in Canada.
View full requirements →🧳 Expat Life
Expat Life Notes
Adjacent to Vancouver, Burnaby offers high-end amenities, great parks, and a highly multicultural environment.
Pros
- ✓ Excellent transit (Skytrain)
- ✓ Beautiful mountain views
- ✓ Safe
Cons
- ✗ High housing costs
- ✗ Rainy climate
- ✗ Increasing density
Living on investment or passive income? Canada Super Visa (Parents & Grandparents) may be the right fit.
View full requirements →Could living/working in Burnaby cut years off your work life?
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $1520/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.