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#small towns

2 stories

Friday, 11 September

Full day
The Town That Pays You to Move There
Money09:00

The Town That Pays You to Move There

A shrinking rural town is offering remote workers a cash grant, a year of free rent and a bicycle to relocate, and has received thousands of applications from cities around the world. The first arrivals say the deal was fine but the welcome was the reason they stayed. Neighbouring towns are now copying the scheme.

Wednesday, 09 September

Full day
The Village That Voted to Turn Off the Streetlights

The Village That Voted to Turn Off the Streetlights

A village voted to switch off its streetlights after midnight to save money and cut light pollution, and residents now report seeing the Milky Way from their doorsteps. Crime has not risen, but an argument about who is responsible for tripping over the cat is ongoing. Astronomy clubs have started booking weekends there.