Bounded by Griffiths Drive to the southwest, Kingsway to the northeast, and 10th Ave to the southeast, this is a quiet, mellow pocket of South Burnaby. It’s a place with a strong sense of community, ideal for those seeking a family-oriented area to live in. Dotted with lush evergreens and beautiful parkland, it’s about as pastoral as an urban setting can be.
There’s a wide, inclusive range of residences on offer, from high-rise condos to modest homes tucked away on wide, shady streets. Entertainment and shopping are heavily concentrated on the boundaries; what takes up most of the space is quiet, residential dwellings and gorgeous parkland. The area is well established, but there are lots of newly constructed dwellings; however, unlike neighbouring Vancouver, this place seems to preserve its architectural history well.
This is a place that offers middle- and working-class citizens a comfortable, secure place to dwell, with quick travel connections to nearby municipalities but a snug sense of enclosure as well. It’s quiet but not dull, pretty but not exclusive.
According to burnaby.ca, immigrants make up about half of the neighbourhood’s population, with the top five countries of origin for them being China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and India. Most of the residences house families, and the median household income is around $60,000. Townhouses are common, and many of them are new and quite beautiful.
Byrne Creek Ravine Park rests nearby, and there are other great green spots in the area, including Stride Avenue Park and Ernie Winch Park. Edmonds Skytrain Station provides a quick entry and entrance point for commuters, and there are buses running north-south and east-west through the neighbourhood. Ideally for families, there are two schools here: Stride Avenue Community School and Byrne Creek Secondary.
Flexible, wide-ranging public transit options make this a liveable place for students, youth and those who wish to avoid driving, and the area’s parks provide great spots for strolling or biking. One complaint: as in much of Burnaby, the presence of pedestrian paving on side streets is very inconsistent.
At its best, this area is nice and mellow; at worst, it’s too nice and mellow. People looking for nightlife, alternative culture and the bustle that often comes with urban living will likely be disappointed, but if peace and tranquility are what you really value, Stride Ave will be quite suitable.
There’s nothing too exceptional here, price-wise: the food and beverage establishments are mid-range small businesses or corporate outlets and, though there are not too many rentals on offer, they do go for cheaper than in neighbouring Vancouver. For people with exotic tastes, there’s not a lot on offer here, but entertainment, shopping and dining all come at reasonable prices.
A hand-picked selection of new home and condos for sale in Stride Avenue. For those who love the thrill of anticipation of getting into a brand new home or condo.
Always fresh, always best” is the motto for this Asian-inflected restaurant chain, with a prime location on Kingsway. Noodles and soup dishes are specialties, and there’s also a wide selection of Western staples.
more infoThis library branch, beautifully designed and named for the Canadian political icon, features the Bibliotech: fourteen computer workstations for a 21st century library experience. It’s the quiet cultural nerve centre of the neighbourhood.
more infoHomey, comfortable and a great value for your dollar, this restaurant has been serving the area for 45 years, and what it has to show for it is a strong, loyal customer base and a great reputation with residents.
more infoNo Lower Mainland neighbourhood is complete without a good sushi spot, and on any score this one is special, with fresh ingredients and a fusion approach to Japanese cuisine. Delicious.
more infoJust one of many great parks in Burnaby, a reflection of the City’s stress on green common spaces for its residents. Located next to Stride Avenue Community School, this offers a great recreational space for kids.
more infoAnother taste of the East, this restaurant offers hot broth, soft noodles, Sapporo beer and everything else you’d expect from a Japanese ramen spot. The staff is warm and friendly, and the food is great.
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