Burnaby Student Housing Guide: Neighbourhoods, Prices, and Key Tips for 2026

Data as of March 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.

Burnaby is home to Simon Fraser University (SFU), ranked 308th globally, and offers around 60 student housing properties listed on our platform. With monthly rents starting at 500 CAD, the city provides a range of options for students, from shared rooms to self-contained apartments. Choosing the right neighbourhood depends heavily on your commute preference, budget, and lifestyle. This guide breaks down the local areas by commute, explains how SFU’s campus connects to them, outlines price bands, and covers three common pitfalls plus a practical booking timeline.

Understanding Burnaby’s Neighbourhoods by Commute

Burnaby is divided by the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and the SkyTrain rapid transit lines. For students, the most useful way to group areas is by how you will get to SFU’s main campus atop Burnaby Mountain.

UniverCity (SFU Campus)

UniverCity is the name for the residential neighbourhood directly on SFU’s Burnaby Mountain campus. It is the closest option – you can walk to most lecture halls in under 10 minutes. The area includes purpose-built student residences, market-rate apartments, and townhouses. Groceries, cafes, and a few restaurants are within walking distance. The trade-off is higher rent per square foot and limited nightlife. A bus (Route 145 from Production Way–University Station) connects UniverCity to the SkyTrain, but most residents rely on the campus shuttle or walking.

Production Way–University Area (Lake City)

This neighbourhood sits at the base of Burnaby Mountain, centred around the Production Way–University SkyTrain station on the Millennium Line. It is a mixed industrial-residential zone with several apartment buildings and townhouses. The bus to SFU (Route 145) takes about 15–20 minutes. Rent tends to be slightly lower than on campus, and the SkyTrain gives easy access to Lougheed Town Centre and Metrotown. The area is quiet, with fewer shops and restaurants compared to more central Burnaby.

Metrotown

Metrotown is Burnaby’s commercial heart, anchored by the Metropolis at Metrotown shopping mall, one of the largest in Canada. Residential towers, older low-rise apartments, and townhouses are common here. The Metrotown SkyTrain station on the Expo Line connects to downtown Vancouver in about 25 minutes. To reach SFU, you take the SkyTrain to Patterson or Production Way (about 15–20 minutes) and transfer to a bus for the remainder (another 15–20 minutes). Total commute from Metrotown to SFU is roughly 35–50 minutes, depending on the time of day. Rent in Metrotown varies widely: basement suites can start near 500 CAD, while newer high-rise one-bedrooms exceed 1,500 CAD. The area offers abundant grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment.

Brentwood Town Centre

Brentwood has transformed rapidly over the past decade, with dozens of new high-rise condos and rental buildings rising around the Brentwood Town Centre SkyTrain station (Millennium Line). The station is one stop from Production Way–University, so the bus-to-train-to-bus commute to SFU is similar to Metrotown but slightly shorter (around 30–45 minutes). Brentwood has a growing retail core (The Amazing Brentwood mall) and a lively atmosphere. Rent levels are comparable to Metrotown, with studio apartments typically starting around 1,100 CAD.

Lougheed Town Centre

Lougheed is located at the junction of the Millennium and Expo lines (Lougheed Town Centre station). It is closer to SFU than Metrotown – the bus from Lougheed Station (Route 143) runs express to SFU in about 20–25 minutes. The area has a mix of older apartment buildings, new towers, and townhouses. Rent tends to be slightly below Brentwood and Metrotown for similar units. Lougheed also hosts a large shopping mall, a library, and a recreation centre.

Edmonds

South Burnaby’s Edmonds area is served by the Edmonds SkyTrain station on the Expo Line. The commute to SFU involves a train to Production Way (about 10 minutes) plus a bus (15–20 minutes). Total time: 30–40 minutes. Edmonds offers lower average rents than central Burnaby and has a quieter, family-oriented feel. It is a good choice for students who prefer a residential neighbourhood and have a car (parking is easier than in Metrotown).

Price Bands and What to Expect

Based on the data from our platform, Burnaby’s student rental market offers a starting price of 500 CAD per month. At this floor you will typically find a room in a shared house or a basement suite, often without a separate kitchen or bathroom. Here is a breakdown by price range:

1. Budget range (500 – 800 CAD per month)
   This segment covers shared rooms in purpose-built student residences, rooms in older houses (often with three to five other tenants), and some basement suites. Expect shared bathrooms and kitchens. Utilities (electricity, internet, heat) may or may not be included – always confirm before signing. Availability is limited, especially close to campus, so early searching is essential.

2. Mid-range (800 – 1,200 CAD per month)
   A private room in a newer purpose-built student building or a one-bedroom basement apartment falls here. Many units in this band offer ensuite bathrooms, in-suite laundry, and access to common areas like lounges or gyms. You will find these in UniverCity, Production Way, Lougheed, and some older towers in Metrotown.

3. Upper range (1,200 – 1,800+ CAD per month)
   For a self-contained one-bedroom or a studio in a modern high-rise (especially in Metrotown or Brentwood), budget at least 1,200 CAD. Two-bedroom units start around 1,800 CAD and are often shared by two students. These apartments typically have full kitchens, in-unit washer/dryer, and concierge services. UniverCity also has some one-bedroom market-rate units in this bracket.

Rent can vary by as much as 300–400 CAD between buildings built in the 1970s and those built after 2020. Remember that prices quoted online are indicative and may change by the time you apply. Always confirm the final rent with the operator.

How Simon Fraser University Maps to These Areas

SFU’s main campus sits on top of Burnaby Mountain, accessible only by a few bus routes (145, 143, and the campus shuttle). The university also has a downtown Vancouver campus (Harbour Centre) and a Surrey campus, but the Burnaby mountain campus is the primary one for undergraduate and graduate programs.

• UniverCity – perfect for walking distance, but higher rent and less variety in housing types.
• Production Way–University area – the most popular off-campus option because of the direct 15-minute bus ride to campus. It is also close to the SkyTrain for trips to Vancouver.
• Lougheed – the express bus (Route 143) runs directly to SFU from Lougheed station, making it about 20–25 minutes door-to-door. A good balance of price and commute.
• Brentwood and Metrotown – a longer commute (35–50 minutes) but access to more services, jobs, and social life. Many students living in these areas take the SkyTrain to Production Way and then a bus.
• Edmonds or other south Burnaby areas – a 30–40 minute commute via SkyTrain and bus, often with lower rent and more parking.

If you are a graduate student or have irregular class times, the bus frequency drops after 11 pm. Living closer to campus (UniverCity or Production Way) can save you the hassle of late-night transfers.

Three Common Pitfalls for Student Renters in Burnaby

1. Underestimating the Burnaby Mountain Bus Commute in Winter

SFU’s campus sits at around 365 metres elevation. In winter (December to February), snow and ice often make bus travel slow or disrupted. Routes 145 and 143 run on dedicated lanes, but delays of 15–30 minutes are common on snowy days. Some students who thought they could easily commute from Metrotown or Brentwood end up missing morning classes. If you do not plan to live on campus, ensure you have a backup plan (e.g., a nearby friend’s couch or a flexible study schedule). Check the SFU Road Conditions webpage before signing a lease far from campus.

2. Ignoring Lease Start and End Dates vs. Academic Terms

Many purpose-built student residences operate on 8-month or 12-month leases that start in September. If you find a private basement suite, the landlord may want a 12-month fixed term starting in any month. If your program ends in April but your lease runs to August, you could be paying for empty months. Conversely, if you arrive in January for a late start, you may find that many September-start leases are already taken. Look for subletting opportunities or month-to-month options. Some properties listed on our platform allow flexible move-in dates – filter accordingly.

3. Relying Solely on Photos and Descriptions for Basement Suites

Burnaby has many basement suites that are not visible in online photos. Issues like low ceilings, poor ventilation, mould, or noisy upstairs neighbours are common but easy to overlook in a 60-second video tour. If you cannot visit in person, ask the operator for a live video call that shows ceilings, window size, and the bathroom fan. Request a floor plan with dimensions. Also confirm whether the suite has separate heating controls – some basements rely on the upstairs heater, leading to uncomfortable temperature swings.

Booking Calendar – When to Start Your Search

For a move-in date of September 2026 (the start of the academic year in Canada), follow this timeline:

• January – March 2026: Begin browsing our platform and shortlisting properties. Purpose-built student residences (especially UniverCity and Production Way) open applications around this time. For private listings, landlords may not advertise until 60–90 days before move-in, but you can start contacting them for availability.
• April – June 2026: Peak booking season. Most popular buildings fill up by the end of June. If you have not secured something by May, expand your search to Lougheed or Edmonds. This is also the time to find sublets from students leaving for summer.
• July – August 2026: Last-minute scramble. Fewer options remain, and rents may be higher. Some buildings release a few units that were held back. Be prepared to make a decision within 24–48 hours of viewing.
• September – October 2026: Move-in. If you still need housing, check for late listings or short-term sublets. Winter-term arrivals (January 2027) should start looking in October–November.

For a January 2027 start, the timeline shifts earlier: start browsing in October 2026, secure a lease by November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live on campus (UniverCity) or off campus?

Living on campus in UniverCity can be more expensive per square foot than off-campus options like Lougheed or Edmonds. However, you save time and transit costs (a monthly bus pass for students is about 50 CAD). If you value a short walk to class and do not mind a quieter environment, UniverCity is practical. If you want lower rent and more space, look at Production Way or Lougheed.

What is the average rent for a one-bedroom near SFU?

As of early 2026, a one-bedroom apartment within a 20-minute commute of SFU (e.g., Production Way or Lougheed) typically ranges from 1,000 to 1,300 CAD per month. In Metrotown or Brentwood, expect 1,200 to 1,600 CAD. These are indicative – confirm with the operator. Shared rooms can be found from 500 CAD upward.

Do I need a car in Burnaby?

Not necessarily. The SkyTrain and bus network cover most of Burnaby, and U-Pass (included in student fees) gives unlimited transit access. For daily trips to campus, a car is more of a burden due to expensive parking permits (over 800 CAD per year at SFU) and limited spots. A car is useful for grocery runs or exploring Vancouver, but not essential for a student based in Burnaby.

Are utilities usually included in the rent?

It varies. In purpose-built student residences, utilities (electricity, heat, water, internet) are often included in the rent. In private basement suites, electricity and internet are sometimes separate. Always read the rental agreement or ask the operator explicitly. If utilities are not included, budget an extra 50–100 CAD per month for winter heating in Burnaby.

Data as of March 2026. Prices and availability are indicative – confirm with the operator before committing to a tenancy.

See also: listing details · browse more