Your Guide to South Burnaby Real Estate
South Burnaby covers a wide stretch of the city from Metrotown in the centre east to Edmonds and the New Westminster border, and south to the Fraser River. It's home to some of the biggest condo markets in Metro Vancouver (Metrotown), some of the most upscale detached neighbourhoods in the region (Buckingham Heights, Deer Lake), and several mid-market family submarkets in between (Highgate, Edmonds, Buckingham). If you're shopping anywhere in South Burnaby, the first decision is which submarket fits your priorities, because they're genuinely different markets despite sharing a city.
A Quick Look at the South Burnaby Market
South Burnaby is one of the most active markets in the Lower Mainland. Metrotown alone runs thousands of transactions a year and dominates the South Burnaby condo market. Detached homes in Buckingham Heights and the Deer Lake area command some of the highest prices in Burnaby. Townhomes and lower-priced condos in Edmonds and Highgate offer entry-point options for first-time buyers. For specific submarket pricing, reach out and I'll pull live numbers for the area you're focused on.
Who Lives in South Burnaby
The demographic mix is wider here than almost any equivalent area in Metro Vancouver. Metrotown is dense, transit-oriented, and skews young professional and immigrant family. Buckingham Heights and Deer Lake skew upscale established families. Highgate and Edmonds are heavily family with strong multicultural communities and a meaningful renter population in the condo buildings. The city as a whole is one of the most diverse in Canada.
Schools and Family Life
South Burnaby is served by Burnaby Schools (School District 41), which is one of the top public school districts in BC. The major secondary schools in this part of Burnaby are Burnaby South Secondary (in the South Slope area), Burnaby Central Secondary (near Deer Lake, serving Buckingham Heights and Highgate), Byrne Creek Secondary (Edmonds area), and Moscrop Secondary (north of Metrotown). Elementary catchments vary significantly by neighbourhood, see the individual neighbourhood pages for specifics. Central Park, Deer Lake Park, Burnaby Lake, and Byrne Creek Ravine Park give South Burnaby families exceptional green space.
Getting Around
South Burnaby is anchored by the Expo Line SkyTrain corridor. Major stations include Patterson, Metrotown, Royal Oak, and Edmonds. Metrotown Station alone is one of the busiest transit hubs in the region. Bus connections along Kingsway, Canada Way, and Imperial are frequent. Downtown Vancouver is 15-25 minutes by SkyTrain depending on station. New Westminster is 5-10 minutes. Drivers have direct access to Highway 1, Canada Way, and Boundary Road for trips across Metro Vancouver.
What's Nearby
Metropolis at Metrotown is BC's largest shopping centre and anchors retail across South Burnaby. Crystal Mall serves the Asian retail and food scene at Metrotown. Highgate Village is a major shopping centre at Edmonds. Deer Lake Park hosts the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby Village Museum, and major annual festivals including the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival. Central Park's Swangard Stadium hosts major outdoor events. Restaurant variety in South Burnaby is genuinely among the best in Canada thanks to the diverse population.
The Housing Stock
Massive variety. Metrotown is dominated by high-rise concrete condos, both established towers and new master-planned communities. Edmonds and Highgate mix condos, townhomes, and detached homes. Buckingham Heights and Deer Lake are nearly all detached, often on large lots. South Slope (the area south of Imperial near Burnaby South Secondary) is mostly detached with some townhomes. Construction eras range from 1940s post-war detached homes to brand-new high-rise condos completing in 2026.
Recent Market Activity
South Burnaby has been one of the most active submarkets in the region over the past decade. Metrotown's master-planned developments continue to add high-rise supply. Detached homes in Buckingham Heights and Deer Lake remain among Burnaby's most valuable. Townhomes in Edmonds and Highgate attract steady family demand. Pricing per submarket varies dramatically, you can spend $500K on a condo at Edmonds or $4 million on a detached home in Buckingham Heights, both in South Burnaby.
Is South Burnaby Right for You?
It depends entirely on which submarket. South Burnaby as a whole is right for you if you want strong schools, exceptional transit, world-class shopping, and access to Vancouver without paying Vancouver pricing. Metrotown is for high-rise urban condo living. Edmonds and Highgate are for value-focused family condo and townhome buyers. Buckingham Heights and Deer Lake are for upscale detached living. Each submarket has its own page on this site for the detail.
What to watch out for: South Burnaby is dense and busy, particularly around Metrotown and along Kingsway. Construction is ongoing in many areas as the city continues to densify. Some Metrotown buildings have been the subject of significant evictions during demolition for new development, this is worth understanding if you're buying or renting in older Metrotown buildings.
Thinking of Buying or Selling in South Burnaby?
I'm Michael Bortolin, a New Westminster realtor with One Percent Realty Ltd. I service Burnaby heavily and know the submarket differences inside the broader South Burnaby area. Happy to walk you through which neighbourhood fits your situation. Reach me at 604-446-1535 or through the contact form on this site.
