Location and Property Overview
988 W 32nd Ave is a shared residential property located in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada (postal code V5Z 2K2). The building offers a mix of non-ensuite rooms (shared bathroom) and self-contained apartments. Monthly rents range from CAD 850 to CAD 1,350, with a minimum lease term of six months. The property is situated within a residential neighbourhood that has good access to public transport according to some reviews, and it lies close to Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus. As of mid‑2026, the property is listed as “not available” on its primary platform, meaning booking status may be limited; always verify directly with the operator.
Rents quoted here are indicative — confirm with the operator before making any commitment. The property’s Google rating is 2.8 out of 5, based on 37 reviews. Only a small number of those reviews are publicly visible, and they highlight significant concerns about cleanliness and management responsiveness.
Who This Residence Suits
The property may work for students or young professionals who:
- Need a short‑to‑medium‑term rental (minimum 6‑month lease) in Burnaby/Vancouver without committing to a full year.
- Are comfortable with a lower price point relative to many purpose‑built student accommodations: CAD 850–1,350/month covers a range of room types, from shared bathrooms to private apartments.
- Do not require high standards of cleanliness or modern amenities and are willing to accept a worn interior.
- Prioritise location over condition. The area around 32nd Ave offers easy access to transit and is described by a reviewer as “a beautiful area, easy to get to around”.
Given the mixed feedback, the property is most suitable for budget‑conscious renters who have already visited in person or who are willing to accept lower service levels in exchange for a relatively low rent.
Who Should Think Twice
The same reviews also point to serious drawbacks that make this residence unsuitable for many:
- Cleanliness issues: Two of the three visible Google reviews complain about dirty rooms, shared bathrooms with mold/dirt, and a generally unkempt house. One reviewer said the private bathroom “made them feel more dirty” after showering.
- Security and access problems: Another reviewer (rating 1) arrived around 8:30 PM with a pre‑paid reservation through a booking platform, only to find the building locked, dark, and apparently vacant. They had no way to enter or contact anyone on site.
- Low management responsiveness: The combination of a locked building with no staff contact and no backup plan suggests poor operational oversight. The reviewer noted “from all appearances no one had [been there]” – a serious concern for anyone arriving after hours or needing assistance.
These issues make 988 W 32nd a poor choice for:
- Travelers arriving late, especially from the airport, without a local contact.
- People who require a reliably clean and hygienic living environment.
- Anyone who prefers a managed building with on‑site staff or 24‑hour support.
What Residents Actually Say (Quoted Reviews)
Three Google reviews capture the spectrum of experiences. All are reproduced verbatim (unedited).
mmm m (Rating 1):
“AVOID AT ALL COST ! Aug 2025. Booked room w/bath for 2 adults through Booking .com, prepaid, and informed our arrival time ~8:30 PM. Arrived in rental car from airport, armed with confirmation emails, CFM code#, and phone#s. Place was empty, locked, no lights, no cars, dusty dirty porch. From all appearances no one had”
The reviewer was unable to access the building after a pre‑paid booking. The cut‑off text presumably continues with further details, but the core problem is clear: no staff on site and no way to enter.
Maxine Vodopyanov (Rating 1):
“This place is a beautiful area, easy to get to around, easy access to public transport. That is all the pros to this property. We had a room with a private bathroom that we couldn’t shower in due to feeling more dirty getting out. Room was smelly and not that clean, in fact most of the house was not in great condition”
This review acknowledges the good location but states the private bathroom was so unclean that it felt counterproductive to shower. The condition of the house overall was described as poor.
Alex Fogg (Rating 3):
“My sisters and I booked the Balfour Inn a few weeks before we booked last minute tickets to the Eras Tour. Everywhere in Van had their hotel prices ratcheted up, we’re talking $1000 a night. The Balfour was the only place that had reasonable room prices, and without even looking at reviews, because we were a bit desper”
This reviewer used the property (then called “Balfour Inn”) as a last‑resort budget option during a price surge. The rating 3 suggests a mixed experience – affordable but not great. The review cuts off mid‑sentence, so the full evaluation is unknown.
Summary of review tone: The majority sentiment is negative. Two of the three published reviews (ratings 1) warn against booking, and the third (rating 3) implies a “you get what you pay for” experience. No positive reviews are visible in the dataset.
Price Positioning vs City Starting Price
The city of Burnaby has approximately 60 student‑oriented rental properties listed through the same platform. The city’s starting monthly rent for any unit type is CAD 500. That base price likely refers to a basic room (maybe a shared or smaller non‑ensuite) in a less central area.
988 W 32nd Ave’s minimum of CAD 850 is roughly 70% above that city baseline. However, its maximum of CAD 1,350 is still below many dedicated student residences or newer apartments in Vancouver proper. For context, during peak events (e.g. concerts, university move‑in), hotels and short‑term rentals in Vancouver can exceed CAD 1,000 per night, as noted in Alex Fogg’s review. So for a month‑long stay, CAD 850–1,350 is relatively competitive – but the condition and service level are clearly below what most renters expect at that price.
When comparing to Burnaby’s overall market, the property sits in the lower‑mid range for a full apartment and in the mid‑range for a private room with shared bathroom. It is not the cheapest option available, but it offers the possibility of a whole apartment (unit type “apartment”) at a price that undercuts many purpose‑built studios.
Important: Prices fluctuate with season and occupancy. The figures above are indicative — confirm with the operator.
Room‑Type Guidance
The property offers two unit types:
- Non‑ensuite – a room with access to a shared bathroom (and possibly shared kitchen/living areas). Price likely near the lower end of the range (around CAD 850–1,000). Based on the negative reviews, the shared bathroom may have hygiene problems. If you choose this option, inspect the bathroom condition personally or request recent photos.
- Apartment – a self‑contained unit with private bathroom and kitchen. Price likely toward the upper end (CAD 1,200–1,350). This type avoids the shared‑bathroom cleanliness concerns noted in Maxine Vodopyanov’s review. However, the overall property condition (lobby, corridors) may still be subpar.
Given the access‑control issue reported, even if you book a private apartment, you still need a reliable check‑in process. Book only if the operator provides a clear, 24/7 check‑in method (e.g., lockbox, keypad, or on‑site staff). Avoid relying on email or phone after hours.
Booking Timing
The property’s current status is “not available” on the main listing platform. This could mean it is temporarily off‑market, fully booked, or delisted. In 2026, the available inventory for student housing in Burnaby is relatively limited (60 properties total), and many near‑campus units fill up by June for September occupancy.
If the property becomes available again:
- Book as early as possible (preferably 3–4 months in advance) to secure the room type you want. Last‑minute bookings, as Alex Fogg’s experience shows, are possible during price surges but carry higher risk of quality issues.
- For a May/2027 move‑in, start inquiring in January or February. For a September/2026 move‑in, check availability immediately.
- Always read the cancellation terms and consider paying with a credit card that offers dispute protection, given the access and cleanliness complaints.
FAQ
Is 988 W 32nd Ave safe for a solo female traveler?
Based on the review by “mmm m,” the building was found locked and dark with no staff present after 8 PM, even with a pre‑paid reservation. This suggests a security risk for anyone arriving alone, especially at night. There is no mention of security personnel, keycard access, or cameras. The area itself is described as “beautiful” and well‑connected, but the property’s lack of on‑site support makes it less safe for solo occupants, particularly female travelers. If you must stay here, arrange arrival during daytime and confirm a live contact who can let you in.
What is the cancellation policy?
The dataset does not include specific cancellation terms. The property is listed through a third‑party platform (amberstudent.com), whose general policies may apply, but individual operators often have their own rules. Given the negative reviews about being locked out, you should request the cancellation/refund policy in writing before paying. Avoid non‑refundable bookings unless you are certain about the check‑in procedure.
Are utilities and Wi‑Fi included?
The property tags include “wi‑fi” and “laundry facility” as amenities. This implies that wireless internet is provided, and laundry machines are available on site. However, the cost structure for utilities (electricity, water, heating) is not listed. Ask the operator explicitly whether the monthly rent covers all utilities, or if there are additional charges. The indicative rent range (CAD 850–1,350) may or may not include utilities – confirm before signing.
Sources & Data Date
This article is based on property data provided by amberstudent.com (inventory ID amber‑1532372) and public Google reviews as of July 2026. All quoted reviews are copied verbatim from that platform. Price and availability are indicative — confirm with the operator.
If you are interested in this property or want to check current availability, use the on‑site assistant on the listing page to ask about live inventory, room types, and check‑in procedures.
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