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Mayor offers €2,000 and cheap rent to anyone willing to live in small idyllic village in Italian mountains | Mayor offers €2,000 and cheap rent to anyone willing to live in small idyllic village in Italian mountains |
(4 months later) | |
In the small, mountainous Italian village of Bormida, the mayor had an ingenious idea to up the population and the local economy. | In the small, mountainous Italian village of Bormida, the mayor had an ingenious idea to up the population and the local economy. |
Posting videos on Facebook of the gorgeous sunrise was not working, but a financial inventive might do the trick. | Posting videos on Facebook of the gorgeous sunrise was not working, but a financial inventive might do the trick. |
Amid a dwindling constituency of just 394 people, Daniele Galliano wrote on social media that the town would pay new residents €2,000 in cash. | Amid a dwindling constituency of just 394 people, Daniele Galliano wrote on social media that the town would pay new residents €2,000 in cash. |
Another incentive, he said, would be the cheap rent of just €50 a month. For a more spacious room, rent is still a reasonable €120. | Another incentive, he said, would be the cheap rent of just €50 a month. For a more spacious room, rent is still a reasonable €120. |
The offer prompted dozens of responses from people who said they would be willing to relocate to the small town in the north-western region of Liguria. | The offer prompted dozens of responses from people who said they would be willing to relocate to the small town in the north-western region of Liguria. |
People from all over the world, including the US, the UK, Indonesia and Hungary expressed interest, with some people waiving the financial offer to simply take advantage of a more simple life. | People from all over the world, including the US, the UK, Indonesia and Hungary expressed interest, with some people waiving the financial offer to simply take advantage of a more simple life. |
High-speed wifi in the village appeared to be a main requirement, as people said they could work remotely with a good internet connection. | High-speed wifi in the village appeared to be a main requirement, as people said they could work remotely with a good internet connection. |
Before people book their flights, the mayor has warned that his idea of a €2,000 cash reward still needs to be proposed and approved by the local board. | Before people book their flights, the mayor has warned that his idea of a €2,000 cash reward still needs to be proposed and approved by the local board. |
The affordable rent, he added, would be ready in about two months. | The affordable rent, he added, would be ready in about two months. |
The quiet village used to house around 1,000 people in the 1950s. But since the end of the Second World War, Italy has seen a massive shift towards urbanisation. | The quiet village used to house around 1,000 people in the 1950s. But since the end of the Second World War, Italy has seen a massive shift towards urbanisation. |
Now it boasts a fairly active high street of four restaurants, a library, pharmacy, a post office that opens three times a week, a corner shop and a B&B. A doctor also visits the town three times a week. | Now it boasts a fairly active high street of four restaurants, a library, pharmacy, a post office that opens three times a week, a corner shop and a B&B. A doctor also visits the town three times a week. |
With the nearest large city of Genoa 50 miles away, residents would have to entertain themselves. Asides from the town's musical tradition of singing the annual Easter "egg" song with a guitar, ukulele, tambourine and accordion accompaniment. | With the nearest large city of Genoa 50 miles away, residents would have to entertain themselves. Asides from the town's musical tradition of singing the annual Easter "egg" song with a guitar, ukulele, tambourine and accordion accompaniment. |
"There is nothing much to do here," the manager of a local restaurant told The Guardian. | "There is nothing much to do here," the manager of a local restaurant told The Guardian. |
"But life is so simple and natural, we have forests, goats, the church, and plenty of good food. Life would definitely be free of stress." | "But life is so simple and natural, we have forests, goats, the church, and plenty of good food. Life would definitely be free of stress." |
A councillor, who asked to remain anonymous, told the newspaper: "We’re still working out the plan, but anyone is welcome to come and live here. | A councillor, who asked to remain anonymous, told the newspaper: "We’re still working out the plan, but anyone is welcome to come and live here. |
"We’re a small community but very welcoming. We’re high up in a mountain area but also not far from the sea – it’s a healthy lifestyle, the air is very clean." | "We’re a small community but very welcoming. We’re high up in a mountain area but also not far from the sea – it’s a healthy lifestyle, the air is very clean." |
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