Introduction
This area in Burnaby sits below Burrard Inlet to the north, above Hastings St. to the south, and in between Fell Ave to the east and Willingdon Ave to the west. It’s a quiet, residential area, but the commercial district along Hastings makes for a lively, cosmopolitan vibe. It’s a great area for families, but younger singles find it rewarding as well.
Lifestyle
Cozy and residential but great for younger and single residents as well, Capitol Hill offers both seclusion and access: it’s quiet but cosmopolitan, with a broad range of food and beverage establishments and some hints of the urban upscale, such as a hip yoga spot. Family values dominate, but the area is far from stuffy.
Dollars & Sense
Rent is quite reasonable here, with one-bedroom accommodation going for under $1000/month. In terms of shopping and entertainment, the area is about average for the Lower Mainland: not especially cheap, but certainly not expensive. From hot yoga to frozen yogurt, it can all be had in Capitol Hill at reasonable prices.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
There’s not a lot to dislike about this place. Amenities, restaurants and transportation are all up to snuff, and it’s beautiful and relaxed. If there’s a drawback, it’s one common to suburbs surrounding Vancouver: a lack of rich nightlife culture, which results in a weekend gridlock of youths pouring in and out of the larger city. But that’s a minor flaw in an otherwise great community.
Distance from City Hall
5.0 km
5.0 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Bus service in the area is excellent, with buses running north-south along Glynde Ave., Hythe Ave, Gamma Ave. and Empire Dr., and east-west along the busy commercial area of Hastings St. While there are good biking opportunities in the area, the main roads are not especially cycle-friendly. Walking is a good option in the neighbourhood, weather providing.
In the Area
Schooling needs are met by both a French-language and a regular English elementary school. There are numerous green spaces, including the beautiful Confederation Park, which has a large off-leash area for dogs, and in which the local library branch and the Eileen Dailly Leisure, Pool & Fitness Centre are located. The neighbourhood is also bordered by the TransCanada Trail.
Meet the Neighbours
Like other areas in Burnaby, this is a heady cultural mix, with Caucasians resting alongside East Asians, Indo-Canadians and Filipinos. The most common type of housing is single- and two-family dwellings, many of which are quite beautiful. Although this is a family-oriented neighbourhood, there are quite a few single residents.
The Vibe
One of the greenest of all Burnaby’s very verdant areas, Capitol Hill is a melting pot of newly arrived immigrants and long-settled residents; they coexist in a place that is welcoming and inviting, with a lot to please the eye and a good amount of options for spending your time.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Caffe Divano
A refreshing alternative to corporate coffee chains, this cafe offers great drip and good prices, and much else besides. It’s become an informal neighbourhood hub, great for a long chat or a quick Americano to go.
more info
Artspace
Artspace is a truly valuable community resource. It offers performing and visual arts training for preteens; the environment is supporting, nurturing and very inspiring. It’s one of those institutions that’s a labor of love and civic spirit.
more info
Romana Restaurant
Pizza, pasta, Greek and more. Romana is a very casual and very welcoming restaurant that knows how to please. Nothing fancy or fanciful here, but it’ll hit the spot every time.
more info
Capitol Hill Community Hall
Standing since 1948, this is one of the oldest sites in the neighbourhood, a proud marker of the area’s past and present vitality. Meetings, parties, dances and other events take place here.
more info
Moksha Yoga
Here’s where the hip and the upscale come in: a yoga spot for the body-conscious, the health-conscious and the otherwise enlightened, offering hot yoga at hot prices. Sweat it out with the guidance of experts.
more info
Da Mario Ristorante Italiano
Chef Mario presides over this family business, which is one of the prime spots in Burnaby for Italian fare. Great antipasto and a wide variety of veal dishes make this restaurant one of the best in the area.
more infoStreet Corner
Demographic Data
Capitol Hill
Commute
Wheels
Cheers!
Habits
Neighbours
Housing
