Trucking jobs on Vancouver Island.

Hello, I'm a truck driver in Ontario, line hauling out of Ottawa, with about thirty three years of accident free driving. I've long hauled, running the states and Canada. I'm looking to move to Vancouver Island next year and am wondering about opportunities in trucking, (if any).
I have friends that moved to Victoria last year, but I'm leaning towards moving to the Nanaimo Parksville area, although having no knowledge of the area, am open to suggestion.
I'm thinking of living in an RV or 5th wheel initially, so I can travel around the Island, and hopefully find a good place to live and work. I've had enough of snow blowing and grass and brush cutting living in Ontario, and think I might eventually settle in a mobile-home park, where the maintenance is done. I'm thinking of the Nanaimo area as its near a port, and I think there might be trucking jobs there.
I've noticed there are a lot of camp-type off-road lumber driving jobs advertised but most want at least two years experience. Is it possible to get training for this type of driving or are there enough regular trucking jobs out there ?
Ideally I'd like to ease into semi-retirement and just deliver around the island four or five days a week. I wouldn't even mind a shunting or line haul type job, if it was close to home and reasonably paid.
I don't want to run the States again, and would prefer not to leave the Island once I relocated there, although I would look at long hauling Canada only if it was reasonable. I've seen jobs advertised out of Vancouver, Canada only, one week out and one off.
Any feedback or information anyone could provide would be appreciated. I'm presently fixing up my house to sell next year, so am in no hurry.
Thanks, Snafutoo.

 

Thanks for the comeback Disorder, I appreciate your time. $18 an hour is about what I make now so if I could get that on the Island for a driving job, great stuff. Although one of my friends who moved there a year ago says she doesn't care if she ends up saying, "welcome to Walmart," if that's what it takes to get by... Don't think it's likely though as she's a semi-retired Fed' and her husband is still working for the Federal Government, and that's why they are living in Victoria.
I'm of the same mind, I could Class D it and run around in a garbage truck, or a mini-bus, or whatever. As long as I'm capable though I'd like to keep my Class A up as long as possible, and stay with the big trucks.
The "on-road trucks" that run out of the bush sound like a viable option, as I'm looking for more of a smaller town or rural setting to live in. I'll be 58 this year so the 55+ mobile parks are the eventual goal as I've lived in the country east of Ottawa for a couple of decades now, and love the peace and quiet. Initially however, I'll probably drive out and live in an RV or 5th wheel, so I can keep my options open, as well as for the adventure. It's something I've always wanted to do, and the time is now, as I'm only getting older and more of my contemporaries are passing on !
I spent the first week of June with my friends in Victoria, in their 5th wheel. If for no other reason I would move to the Island because it lacks mosquitos and blackfly, outdoor curses in Ontario. I also timed my trip to hook up with childhood friends visiting from England on a rental-rv holiday. We were all impressed, despite the weather changing about three times a day for the whole week.
The temperate climate is of course also a big attraction. I like the idea of walking my dog through the winter months without risking frostbite, and as I mentioned in my original post, I've had enough of snowblowing and days of minus 20's windchill ! Driving is also more entertaining than I care for here, in the colder months. On the 416/401 corridor I must see at least one inverted big-truck a week, on a bad week maybe three or four !
Again, thanks for your advice and information, it was good of you to take the time.

 

Hi and thanks for the info' Island Driver. This is very helpful and I appreciate your input. I'm thinking that I'll have to endure one more winter here in Ontario, as I've got too much work to do before making the move to BC, and I don't want to be rushed in either selling my house, or buying a camper.
Presently I'm line hauling and the hours have increased to about eleven a night, which doesn't leave much spare time for the diy projects, but the extra money is good.
All three places you mentioned, Victoria, Nanaimo and Campbell River, look attractive, and as I want to live in an rv for a few years, I should have no trouble relocating to where I can find work.
My friends in Victoria are now looking to moving to the mainland, around Abbotsford, so that might be another destination. However in my brief time on the Island people seemed more laid back, and there was a distinct feeling of community that felt good. So I'm thinking I'll end up there.
Want to live in an rv for the adventure, but also just so I can check out multiple locations before choosing one to settle down permanently in. Again thank you for your time in responding.
Snafutoo.