Relocating to Canada (taxes, live, self-storage)

[urbhmnblues]

Hello,

I'm considering relocating to Canada from the Hudson Valley NY as a lifelong native who needs a change.
I have a lot of reasons why and am aware things are tough everywhere depending on what you are looking for.
I'm doing my own research on various websites besides posting here so this is not a lazy post.
I have a CDL and may be able to get a visa/citizenship as a truck driver as there are many agencies/programs that do so but finding the legit path is something I have to research.

I will be researching taxes, rents, etc on my own and I don't have a family so my list for a new place is maybe shorter than others and I don't expect to fulfill all my criteria anyway as I can drive to some of the places that aren't all near each other. I will watch this post and share some info as well.

Minimum goals
- Good public library, a location with individual rooms for quiet work even better
- A post office with Poboxes
- At least one grocery store in the area
- Climate controlled self-storage facility
- A public parking lot for travel by transit out of the area
- Access to mountains and lakes for hiking
- A gym with showers
In short: a small town/village with basic services and access to nature

Alaska and the Far Northern areas are "too cold" and I'm not indigenous but some natural wonders up there look appealing to visit.
As for the cold temperature and weather, I'm used to the upstate NY winters and can sleep in the low teens to 20s F with a few blankets and layers just fine without heat as I prefer the cold over hot climes.

I would like to avoid flat areas, big cities such as Montreal, Toronto, etc and most suburbs as I'm more interested in the outskirts, small towns/villages, the countryside and wilderness as long as it's relatively safe and decent.

A place that is not fancy/upscale/elitist/wealthy but not rundown/trashy/ruined/etc - something "basic" in between those two extremes that is somewhat cared for and has decent basic civic services such as the library, gym, grocery, postal service and community center would be ideal. Does such a place event exist?

It will take more research and maybe some trips to determine what will work for me although I need to narrow things down further.

[GTB365]

I'm thinking SE BC.

Cranbrook, BC

Creston, BC

[svelten]

Osoyoos should be up there too. Great weather for this part of the world, strong presence of Indigenous culture. It's reasonably well known for its climate but not elitist or absurdly expensive at all. Oliver or Castlegar also worth considering.

[urbhmnblues]

Originally Posted by GTB365

I'm thinking SE BC.

Cranbrook, BC

Creston, BC

Originally Posted by svelten

Osoyoos should be up there too. Great weather for this part of the world, strong presence of Indigenous culture. It's reasonably well known for its climate but not elitist or absurdly expensive at all. Oliver or Castlegar also worth considering.

Thanks, someone also suggested to me Idaho/Montana which is south of those areas and part of the Rockies so there is a wider range to consider.

[BruSan]

A little known alternative almost never mentioned is the Halton Hills area of southwestern Ontario with this example:

https://www.conservationhalton.ca/pa...tlesnake-point

Easy access to every single point mentioned in the poster's list of desirables.