Moving in Burnaby: Your Guide to the Heights, Metrotown & Beyond

Burnaby is Vancouver's immediate neighbour to the east — and it's become a city of towers. The Metrotown skyline has transformed in the last decade, and moving in Burnaby now means understanding three very different areas.

The Three Burnabys

• Metrotown: The densest part of Burnaby, full of new high-rises around Metropolis at Metrotown. Condo moves here are like downtown Vancouver moves — book the service elevator, reserve loading bay time, and expect tight parking.
• Burnaby Heights (North Burnaby): A mix of older character homes and low-rise apartments along Hastings Street. Easier street access, but some streets are narrow and hilly.
• South Burnaby (Marlborough, Suncrest): Mostly single-family homes with driveways — straightforward moves.

The SFU Hill

Simon Fraser University sits at the top of Burnaby Mountain. Student moves to and from the SFU residences and the UniverCity neighbourhood involve a long, winding road up the mountain. In winter, the hill can be icy — movers need to plan for slow, careful driving.

BCIT Moves

The BCIT campus near Willingdon and Canada Way brings a steady stream of student moves each September and April. Student moves are typically smaller (1-bedroom or studio) but cluster around term start and end — book early in late August and late April.

Metrotown Elevator Bookings

Metrotown's newer towers (The Station, Silver, Ultra, Sovereign) all require service elevator reservations. Some buildings restrict move-in/move-out times to weekdays only, or to specific hours. Check with your building manager before booking your mover.

Highway 1 and the Burnaby Lake Corridor

Burnaby is bisected by Highway 1 and bordered by the Trans-Canada Highway. Moves crossing Burnaby often use the Kensington overpass or Canada Way. Avoid the Highway 1 corridor during rush hour — it backs up from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge all the way to Willingdon.

SkyTrain Access

If you're moving into a condo near a SkyTrain station (Metrotown, Brentwood, Edmonds, Sperling), note that the streets around stations are often bus-only lanes or have restricted parking. Your mover will need a designated loading spot.

Brentwood's Boom

Brentwood Town Centre is the new Metrotown — a wave of towers (The Amazing Brentwood, Gilmore Place) is rising around the Brentwood SkyTrain station. These are brand-new buildings with strict move-in procedures; confirm the loading bay and elevator process with the building office before moving day.

Moving in Burnaby? SS Moving Services knows the Metrotown towers, the SFU hill, and the Burnaby Heights side streets. Call (236) 826-3168 for a free quote.