When I left I never filled in the NR71 form because of the concerns you raised. We sold our house, furniture and cars. Cancelled our provincial health cards and most importantly my wife and kids moved overseas with me. I kept my bank account, passport and drivers license. My first tax return out of the country I ticked the non resident box and paid Canadian tax up until the date we departed. Upon returning to Canada after a few years away I filed a tax return as normal. I have never had any issues.
Things that will run you into trouble are kids still in Canada, if you own property you need to make sure it is rented out at arms length(not to a family member) and limit those secondary considerations, that CRA mention on the website, which could be used to determine residency. Unfortunately, even if you did everything by the book you are still at the whim of a CRA employee.