Jobs and Newcomers Hub: Settling in Burnaby — Schools, Healthcare, Jobs and Your First 30 Days

Burnaby is one of the most ethnically diverse urban school districts in BC, and a practical place to settle in Metro Vancouver. A one-bedroom apartment costs roughly 15% less than the equivalent in downtown Vancouver, while commute times to downtown are shorter than from Surrey or Richmond.

This hub is your starting point for settling in — schools, healthcare, jobs and the first month.

Schools

Burnaby School District (SD 41) is the fourth largest district in BC, supporting over 27,000 students across 49 public schools, plus 12 independent schools. It consistently performs above the provincial average in elementary and secondary grades.

Top-rated schools reported in local guides include Montecito Elementary and Burnaby North Secondary. Burnaby North Secondary and Burnaby Mountain Secondary both rank well in BC provincial rankings.

Catchment is determined by your home address — verify with the district's catchment lookup before any move.

For post-secondary, Burnaby is home to Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain and the British Columbia Institute of Technology at 3700 Willingdon Avenue. See our Study & Work guide for SFU and BCIT details.

Adult education: Burnaby South Secondary School, 5455 Rumble Street, and North Burnaby Adult Education Centre, 751 Hammarskjold Drive, offer Foundations programs for Grade 10, 11 and 12 courses.

Settlement Workers in Schools support students and families — Burnaby School District has hired Settlement Workers for temporary full-time roles, with cross-cultural support, to help newcomer families settle in schools.

Healthcare

Burnaby Hospital, 3935 Kincaid Street, Burnaby, BC V5G 2X6, is a community hospital with 259 acute care beds and eight neonatal intensive care bassinettes. It provides 24/7 emergency care, general and internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedics, gynecology, urology, level one and two obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, tertiary palliative care, adult psychiatry and outpatient clinics.

Burnaby Hospital redevelopment is a multi-year project in two phases that will transform almost every area of the hospital. Phase one, estimated for completion in 2025, included a mental health and substance use unit, maternity unit, neonatal ICU and new medicine unit.

Primary healthcare is delivered through Fraser Health, with Burnaby Hospital as the main acute care facility. There are also multiple walk-in clinics across Burnaby.

To find a family doctor: check the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC website for doctors accepting new patients, ask for referrals at walk-in clinics, or contact Burnaby Hospital for recommendations.

Jobs in Burnaby

Major employment sectors in Burnaby:

• Technology: growing tech hub with 300+ companies, including EA Sports, SAP and Telus. Average salary reported $65,000 to $120,000.
• Healthcare: Burnaby Hospital and numerous clinics. Average salary $55,000 to $95,000, with high demand for nurses and technicians.
• Education: Simon Fraser University, BCIT and School District 41. Average salary $50,000 to $85,000.
• Retail and hospitality: entry-level opportunities, average salary $35,000 to $55,000.

Job search resources: WorkBC Burnaby, Immigrant Employment Council of BC, ISSofBC at 207-7355 Canada Way, Burnaby, phone 604-395-8000, MOSAIC, and SUCCESS at 200-5172 Kingsway, Burnaby, phone 604-430-1899. These organisations offer workshops, resume and interview help, job skills training and paid internships, depending on immigration status.

WorkBC offers group workshops or individual sessions on job search, skills enhancement, academic upgrading and customised job placements, plus work experience placements and financial supports for childcare and transportation to interviews for people who qualify.

Your first 30 days — checklist

Week 1: Get a BC Services Card and MSP coverage, open a bank account, get a Compass Card, find your nearest grocery store and pharmacy.
Week 2: Find a family doctor, explore your neighbourhood, register children for school if applicable, visit Burnaby Public Library for a free membership.
Week 3: Explore transit — test your commute on the TransLink trip planner — and visit a community centre.
Week 4: Explore job opportunities if job searching, join a community group, and check the City of Burnaby website for garbage, recycling and permit information.

WelcomeBC has information to prepare you for arrival in BC, and the BC Newcomers' Guide is available in 13 languages, with tips on healthcare, finding a place to live, education, money and banking.

Sources: Fraser Health, Careers in Burnaby; Burnaby School District; BC Service Finder, Moving to Burnaby; Burnaby Public Library, Services for Immigrants, updated August 17, 2026; WelcomeBC.