I live in boonies as well, have done most my life with exception of 10 yrs I lived in UK.
Everyone is different and some like the country due to peace and quiet, no close neighbours, the wildlife (which can also be a pain!) no one telling you what colour your house has to be, what you can and cannot do to your own property (such as they do in the city in new suburbs) NO TRAFFIC which I hated in city, with loud cars and music even worse, little boys using scooters like Harleys, and no sirens...( I lived beside police HQ in Essex)

Closest city is 35 miles away as well as hosp, and I am used to it so it never bothers me, we have local small towns around but expensive and spend as little as possible there. You don't have to drive forever to shop, we do have internet and mail delivery. A car is necessity not luxury here.

However small draw backs........can't walk into town, jobs are scarce and you have no public transport, you get snowed in ALOT in winter and children miss more school. No cable, more expensive phone lines and no real choice of tv or phone providers. We have mobiles and coverage is a bit better then it was.

The convenience of small towns and cities I miss a bit, but I have privacy here, I can send my grand daughters outside to play on many acres opposed to 40 ft frontage and never worry anything or anyone will harm them. No dogs barking all night, but coyotes stay close.

It is all about what you can and cannot adjust to, I never thought I would adjust to city but I had to but glad to be back to my country home.

Personally, I think the best of both worlds is living outside a small city. You minimise the drawbacks and have the benefit of acres, clear non-light polluted skies, camp fires and access to what locals call a 'city'. Most things are obtainable with limit on choice rather than accessibility.

This is really refreshing to hear. We're looking at moving to Manitoulin Island which is rather remote.

Good God, that's a first.

Might one enquire why?

I think it very much depends how much you buy into the whole "consumer consumption lifestyle", I dont give a rats ass about the latest gosmos and gadgets, so I am happy living in the front of beyond, if not the back. What I cant get locally I will mail order if I need it. Never was much of a shopper, even when I lived in cities.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Living on the northern edge of Ottineau, we're 15 minutes from downtown Ott and about 5 minutes from the boonies.

Why a small city?

It can be done on the outside of a big City too...
there are lots of nice rural hamlets surrounding the GTA
and you have no limits on either choice or accessibility, just a small time increase on your journey

True. I just mentioned a small city as it takes less time to get in and out of one than say getting in and out of TO. Takes me 10 mins to get to a reasonable size mall and the same to get out of the place too. After that I am effectively out in the country again.

That was just my thought.

Living on the higher floor of an apartment building downtown, i enjoy the privacy of nobody able to look through my windows.

I enjoy not hearing the traffic, and knowing my car is securely parked.

I enjoy the security, and the spectacular views of the snow capped mountains, the city, and the water.

I enjoy being able to walk into the office if needed, having access to a huge array of restaurants, bars, shops, and grocery stores.

I enjoy not hearing dogs barking at night and being able to let my dog run and play with other dogs, and seeing children playing outside in the open spaces and parks where their parents never have to worry anything or anyone will harm them.

I enjoy the wildlife.

I enjoy the beach just around the corner.

I enjoy the back of beyond being a short drive away.

I enjoy being more environmentally friendly than many who live in the back of beyond.

Which part? the refreshing to hear or Manitoulin Island?

Is it because Forks is taken?

It's accessible in the summer by a pleasant ferry ride. Do you need to work and if so, what kind of work is there on the island?

The latter. There's nothing there.

My husband already has work lined up and I may have a job with the same company. If not for me I will be stay at home mum. All sorted.

There is nature, water and wildlife - just what a family with young (ish) children needs.

Indeed forks is taken!

Best of luck with that.

<have you done a recce, preferably in winter?>