Anyone here from the Sunshine Coast?

I've lived in Vancouver and Surrey my whole life and now that I've got my health and financial situation under control, I'm looking to move elsewhere in the province for a change of pace. I've heard wonderful things about the Coast and I know some people who regularly visit but I have some specific questions so I'm wondering if someone with a general understanding of the area could help me out.

1. Which towns have decent/any public transport? I don't drive, but I work from home and would use the bus for groceries and to get to the ferry on occasion. Any places that would be impossible or very impractical?

2. I keep seeing these beautiful, cheap cabins and cottages that I guess are being rented out over the winter. What's the catch with these? Moving out in the summer is fine, being totally secluded is not-again, no car.

3. How does the cost of living compare to the lower mainland? I can see rents are much cheaper, but what about food and utilities? I'm primarily concerned with the cost of produce and dry goods.

4. I'd be interested in finding work trimming certain trees, any particularly good towns for that?

Thanks!