A quiet, pretty pocket of Burnaby, this small neighbourhood is located between Lougheed Highway in the south, Hastings St. in the north, Springer Ave. in the east and Willingdon Ave. in the west. It’s a place of condos, modest homes, pleasant parks and friendly folks, and the stretch of Hastings St. offers small-business shopping at its best, from bakeries to ramen.

Lifestyle

It’s the best of both worlds in Brentwood: You’ve got a mellow residential area bordered on the north by a nearly corporate-free shopping district. The houses are older—i.e. better looking—and quite compact, with cozy cul-de-sacs here and there. The southern boundary consists of Brentwood Town Centre, which is balanced by the presence of a Skytrain station in the same spot.

The vibe

Laid back is the best expression to sum up Brentwood: There’s very little noise north of the town centre, and the mood is sedate. It’s a nice walk to the commercial district on Hastings, where there are lots of places to chill—and chilling is what you’ll see on a sunny day, with legions of residents enjoying coffee and biscotti outside cafes or ambling leisurely through a grocery trip.

Meet the neighbours

According to the City of Burnaby’s neighbourhood profiles, this is a relatively young community, with the largest age bracket being 20-44. Second in the age stats is the 45-64 bracket. The area is ethnically diverse, with nearly half the population consisting of immigrants. It’s a middle-class neighbourhood, with families housed in neat condos and little one-level homes.

In the area

Brentwood Park is a spacious, lush area for a stroll with the dog or fun with the kids; you might happen on some Tai Chi exercising as well. Adjoining it is Brentwood Preschool, and nearby are three places of worship: The Sanctuary, Holy Cross Church and Brentwood Park Alliance Church. Other amenities in the neighbourhood include Beecher Park and Alpha Secondary School.

Planes, trains & automobiles

Lougheed Highway at the south is a major thoroughfare, but Hastings St. up top, while a main street, is quite mellow in terms of traffic, and Willingdon Ave. isn’t very busy either. Together, the bordering roads provide great transportation in and out of the neighbourhood. Public transportation is great, with multiple bus lines on Willingdon and Hastings and the Brentwood Town Centre Skytrain Station. Bike options are not great.

The good, the bad & the rest

What’s not to like? With two commercial centres at opposite ends and nothing but peace and quiet in between, it makes for the perfect environment for families. And hey, if the suburbs are too quiet for you, the Skytrain will whisk you into Vancouver. The minus column is pretty empty, but one item in it is the relative lack of proper sidewalks.

Hot Spots

Chez Christophe

Everybody say, “mmmm.” Christophe’s creations are heaven for the taste buds, and as a Swiss-trained chocolatier, he brings expertise and refined taste to his work. The creations are truly inspired.

Take Sushi

This is a cut above your average sushi spot. These guys get creative, with sashimi plates that are as beautiful to look at as they are scrumptious to eat. Special items include a fresh oyster dish—delicious.

Bon Bon Bakery

Italian baking! One look at the Wedding Cake Gallery and you know these guys are solid pros. Their pastries are also superb, and they have some very inspired cookie creations.