Brentwood vs Metrotown Burnaby — if you’re a growing family or move-up buyer, these are the two neighbourhoods that keep coming up in your search. Both are SkyTrain-connected, condo-dense, and undergoing serious transformation, but they feel very different on the ground and attract very different buyers.
I work across both areas regularly, and the question I get asked most is simple: which one is better for families? The honest answer is that it depends on what matters most to your household. This guide breaks it down so you can make a confident, informed decision.
A Quick Overview of Each Neighbourhood
Brentwood sits in Burnaby’s northwest quadrant, anchored by The Amazing Brentwood — one of the most ambitious mixed-use retail and residential redevelopments in Metro Vancouver history. The neighbourhood has transformed dramatically over the past five years and continues to grow, with a walkable, modern feel that appeals to young families planting roots.
Metrotown is Burnaby’s official city centre, located in the southwest quadrant along Kingsway. It’s the most urban and transit-connected part of Burnaby, anchored by Metropolis at Metrotown — the largest mall in BC — and surrounded by a dense, fast-evolving residential core that draws buyers who want maximum convenience.
Vibe and Lifestyle
This is often the deciding factor for families, and the two neighbourhoods genuinely diverge here.
Brentwood has a slightly more residential, community-oriented feel. The streets surrounding the town centre include quieter pockets with townhomes and low-rise buildings that feel less urban than Metrotown’s immediate core. Families with young children often gravitate here because it balances walkability with a bit more breathing room.
Metrotown is unapologetically urban. It is busier, denser, and faster-paced — excellent if you love having everything within a five-minute walk, but it can feel overwhelming for buyers who are coming from a house or a quieter suburb. That said, head a few blocks away from Kingsway and you’ll find calmer residential streets that many families don’t initially consider.
Bottom line on vibe: Brentwood edges ahead for families who want a modern, walkable neighbourhood that still feels livable. Metrotown suits buyers who prioritize urban convenience above all else.
Transit and Commutability
Both neighbourhoods sit on the Expo SkyTrain line, making downtown Vancouver genuinely accessible — typically 20 to 25 minutes depending on your starting point.
Brentwood Town Centre Station puts you on the Millennium Line, with a direct connection downtown or east toward Coquitlam. For families with one partner commuting downtown and another heading to the Tri-Cities, this is a meaningful advantage.
Metrotown Station is one of the busiest transit hubs in Burnaby, with multiple bus connections layered on top of SkyTrain access. If your household relies on transit as a primary mode, Metrotown’s network is slightly more robust.
Bottom line on transit: It’s essentially a draw. Both are exceptional by Metro Vancouver standards. Brentwood has a slight edge for families with Tri-Cities or eastbound commutes.
Schools and Family Infrastructure
For move-up buyers with kids, school proximity and quality matter as much as the unit itself.
Brentwood is served by a solid mix of elementary options, and the surrounding neighbourhoods feed into Burnaby North Secondary — a well-regarded school with strong academic and extracurricular programming. The area also has growing childcare infrastructure as the development around The Amazing Brentwood matures.
Metrotown families typically feed into Burnaby South Secondary, which also carries a strong reputation. Proximity to Central Park — one of Burnaby’s largest green spaces, sitting right on the Burnaby-Vancouver border — is a genuine lifestyle advantage for families. It offers tennis courts, an outdoor pool, sports fields, and easy trail access.
Bottom line on schools and family infrastructure: Both are solid. Brentwood feels like it is purpose-building family infrastructure as it grows. Metrotown’s proximity to Central Park is a significant quality-of-life win that often gets overlooked.
Housing Types and Price Points
This is where the two neighbourhoods show their biggest practical difference for move-up buyers.
Brentwood has seen a surge of new concrete high-rise inventory as The Amazing Brentwood development phases have completed and surrounding towers have been built out. You’ll find newer product here, which often means better layouts, modern finishes, and buildings with fewer deferred maintenance concerns. Townhome inventory exists but is limited and moves quickly.
Metrotown has a broader mix of building ages — from older concrete and wood-frame buildings closer to the Kingsway corridor to brand-new towers in the immediate town centre. This means more price variability, which can work in a buyer’s favour if you know what you’re looking for. Older concrete buildings in particular can offer more square footage per dollar than equivalent new product.
As a general benchmark going into 2026, two-bedroom condos in both areas typically trade in the $800,000 to $1,100,000+ range depending on building, floor, and finish level. Brentwood new builds tend to sit at the higher end of that range; Metrotown offers more entry points for buyers willing to look at resale product.
Bottom line on pricing: If you want new product and a consistent modern feel, Brentwood is your neighbourhood. If you want maximum value and are comfortable evaluating resale buildings, Metrotown gives you more options.
Amenities and Day-to-Day Convenience
Both areas score extremely high here, which is part of why they’re so popular with families leaving detached homes in search of a lower-maintenance lifestyle.
Brentwood’s retail and dining scene has grown significantly with The Amazing Brentwood, which now includes major grocery options, restaurants, fitness facilities, and everyday services — all within the development itself. It’s genuinely self-contained in a way that few Burnaby neighbourhoods have been historically.
Metrotown’s Metropolis mall anchors an even larger retail ecosystem, with Whole Foods, T&T Supermarket, and dozens of dining options within easy walking distance. For families who shop frequently or value variety, Metrotown’s amenity density is hard to beat.
Bottom line on amenities: Metrotown wins on sheer volume. Brentwood wins on ambiance and curated feel.
So Which Neighbourhood Should You Choose?
Here’s the honest summary for move-up buyers and families:
Choose Brentwood if you want a modern, growing neighbourhood with newer product, a community-oriented feel, and strong eastbound transit connections. It’s ideal for families who want the urban lifestyle without feeling like they’re living in the middle of a commercial district.
Choose Metrotown if you want maximum urban convenience, more price flexibility through resale inventory, and proximity to Central Park. It suits buyers who thrive in a faster-paced environment and want the full city-living experience within Burnaby.
Both are strong long-term holds from an investment standpoint. Both offer the SkyTrain access and amenity density that will continue to attract buyers for years to come.
The right choice ultimately comes down to how you want to live day-to-day — and that’s a conversation worth having before you start writing offers.
Ready to Explore Brentwood or Metrotown?
I’ve helped many families navigate this exact decision, and there’s no substitute for walking the neighbourhoods, seeing the buildings firsthand, and having someone in your corner who knows the inventory.
If you’re thinking about making a move to Burnaby, I’d love to connect and help you figure out which neighbourhood fits your family best — and what’s actually available right now at your budget.
Book a no-obligation consultation with me at trystanking.ca and let’s start the conversation.
Also considering Coquitlam? Read our guide: Burke Mountain vs Westwood Plateau — Which Coquitlam Neighbourhood is Right for Your Family?
For the latest Burnaby market data, read our Spring 2026 Burnaby Real Estate Market Update.