I’m really into traditional architecture and pre-automobile urban planning. Unfortunately there isn’t a lot of that in North America. I know there are a few, I was wondering if Ontario specifically has any nice villages that fit this description? Preferably not abandoned ones, i am looking for ones still inhabited.
A lot of the “small cities” have a few blocks of “traditional” rural urbanism left intact, but it quickly devolves back to walmart parking lots and gas stations. Off the top of my head, Stratford, St. Marys, Lucan, and Strathroy all have very nice main streets. The closer you get to the 401 corridor the worse things get generally. Honestly, any of those could be quite nice to live in if the inter-city rail service was a bit better and there were grocery stores in the walkable areas.