Residence Review: Unit 607, 707 Main St, Burnaby/Vancouver
Overview and Location
Located at 707 Main St, Vancouver, BC V7T 0C1, this unit sits in a mixed residential-commercial area near the boundary between Vancouver and Burnaby. The property is listed under Burnaby in the city data, which places it within reasonable commuting distance of Simon Fraser University (SFU). The exact unit is 607, suggesting a mid-rise or high-rise building with multiple shared or private accommodations.
The property offers two room types: non-ensuite (shared bathroom) and apartment (private unit with its own bathroom). Monthly rents range from CAD 1,400 to 1,700 (indicative — confirm with the operator), with a minimum lease term of 6 months. Amenities listed include laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and workspace, which are common in student-oriented housing.
Who This Residence Suits
This property may work for students who:
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Prioritise location near SFU and transit connections. Burnaby is a major hub for SFU students, and Main Street has regular bus service to Burnaby Mountain campus. The building’s address also places it within reach of Vancouver’s commercial districts.
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Need a short to medium lease. A 6-month minimum is relatively flexible compared to many purpose-built student accommodations that require 8–12 months. This could suit co-op students or those on exchange semesters.
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Prefer a room with workspace. The inclusion of a workspace area can be a practical advantage for students who need a dedicated desk.
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Are comfortable with a non-ensuite setup to save costs. The lower end of the price range (CAD 1,400) likely corresponds to a shared bathroom unit. For budget-conscious students who don’t mind sharing, this could be a viable option.
Who Should Think Twice
The residence has a Google rating of 2.3 stars from 22 reviews, and all three verbatim reviews in the data are highly critical. Let the residents speak:
Fatemeh Kh (rating 1): “The person responsible for Thunderbird residence is the most unprofessional and unresponsive person I have ever seen!”
Alex (rating 1): “Very unorganized when it comes to sublet application. Basically only one person is doing all the sublet applications of UBC. And their online system is terrible as well! You cannot cancel/modify or do anything else after the application is submitted and to do anything after that you have to send them an email (no numbe”
Mohsen Azimi (rating 1): “After waiting for over a year (maybe 18 months) and applying twice; they sent an email minutes before Chritsmas holidays and rejected my application just after holidays without any further notice!!! Inside their email, I did not find unit info, correct location, floor plan, and no viewing option. Do not trust them and ”
Note: These reviews reference “Thunderbird residence” and “UBC,” which may relate to a different managed property, but the consistent complaints point to poor customer service, unresponsiveness, and system failures. The pattern suggests that the management or administration of this building (or the broader portfolio) may be unreliable.
Therefore, the following types of students should be cautious:
- Students who need responsive, efficient support – especially first-year international students who may rely on prompt assistance for move-in, maintenance, or documentation.
- Anyone requiring a smooth sublet process – the reviews indicate that sublet applications are handled by a single person and the online system offers no modifications post-submission. If you plan to sublet or cancel, consider the risk.
- Students with a tight move-in deadline – the experience of Mohsen Azimi shows that applications can be rejected suddenly after long waits, with no viewing or floor plan provided.
Price Positioning vs. City Base
The city-wide from-price in the data is CAD 500 per month. This extremely low figure likely reflects shared rooms or rented individual beds in Burnaby’s most economical options. At CAD 1,400–1,700, Unit 607 sits well above that base, positioning itself in the mid-to-upper range for student housing in the area. However, a private apartment or a non-ensuite room near SFU can easily cost CAD 1,200–1,800, so the price is not out of line with market rates. Always request a full cost breakdown — utilities, deposit (no deposit data provided — confirm with operator), and any application fees.
Room Type Guidance
- Non-ensuite (shared bathroom): Likely the lower-priced option. Best for students on a budget who are comfortable sharing bathroom and potentially kitchen (not specified). Enquire about the number of roommates sharing each bathroom.
- Apartment (private unit): Higher end of the range. Suitable for those who want private bathroom and kitchen (if included) and are willing to pay more.
The property tag includes “not_available,” which may indicate current occupancy or a pause in leasing. Confirm directly before planning a viewing.
Booking Timing
Given the negative feedback on application handling, it is advisable to start the booking process well in advance — at least 3–4 months before your intended move-in date. The 6-month minimum lease suggests the property accepts stays starting at any point, but competitive semesters (September, January) may see high demand. However, the low rating and complaints about long waiting times imply that you may be better off submitting an application early to allow for potential delays or rejections.
If you have flexibility, consider exploring other properties in Burnaby (60 properties in the city data) with higher ratings. The low 2.3-star average indicates that this unit carries substantial risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the unit furnished?
The listing mentions Wi-Fi and workspace but does not explicitly state whether furniture is included. You must confirm directly with the operator. Expect that common areas and kitchens may have basic fittings, but personal items (bed, desk chair) may not be provided.
How far is it from Simon Fraser University?
The address is in south Burnaby, while SFU’s main campus is on Burnaby Mountain (north Burnaby). Driving takes about 15–20 minutes without traffic; public transit via bus (route 144 or 145 from nearby stops) takes around 30–40 minutes. Confirm the exact walking distance to the nearest bus stop using an online map.
Why is the Google rating so low?
The three reviews provided cite poor communication, a single point of contact for sublets, an inflexible online system, and a negative application experience (rejection after long wait, no floor plan or viewing). These issues suggest administrative disorganisation rather than problems with the physical unit itself. However, the lack of positive reviews in the sample indicates that many residents have had frustrating interactions.
Sources & data date
All data sourced from the property listing (amberstudent) as of July 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Reviews are verbatim from Google, dated prior to 2026.
For live availability, unit photos, and current lease terms, ask the on-site assistant below.
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