I think string choice depends on playing style TBH. I play fast speed picking shred stuff and I use Di Addario hybrid sets 8 through to 46 on my strats with a high action, but On my Ibanez I use Diaddario 9- 46. DiAddarios just seem to last longer for me, I guess they resist my corrosive finger sweat better...also I like to colour coded rings
Truss rod adjustments..hmm..well I'd say try th eguitar with a range of guages forst then adjust...but generally if I change guages for any reason I will adjust the neck
slightly.
Need to watch your nut grooves as well if you are fitting heavy strings to a guitar whose nut was cut for lights they wont fit so well.
When I fit new strings I make sure I stretch them in well before playing. Fit them, tune them up then pull the string out as far as you dare before it snaps and let it slapback against the neck...re tune..re stretch until th estring stays in tune when you stretch it.
Strings are cheaper online in job lots...guitar shops put a high mark up on them generally.
After playing get a clean cloth and rub down the strings to remove any sweat, this way they will last longer.
If you are really strapped for cash then remove th eentire set when old and worn, wind them up in a coil and boil them up in a suacepan and re fit...that will give you a few more days 'twang' out of them for free.
If I break a string I tend to re fit the entire set rather than just the broken one...it's a luxury but I find having jus tone new string in a worn in set sounds and feels carp.
Generally the heavier the string guage the more solid and clear the tone. But the harder they can be to play. Thinner guages wear out easier and they loose there tone quicker but are easier to play.
I'd set your guitar up with a set of standard 9's to start with and see how it goes. ..10's possibly...11's and 12's **** NOoooooooo

