America is also a modern country, so surely the idea of Sunnydale as a beacon for demons for over a century is equally ridiculous?

I think the issue truly fails to explain why the villagers would stay there when they clearly have a working train to get them out of dodge. As for Sunnydale, there was a Hellmouth serving as the beacon, what does this village have as an excuse for why the vamps hang around like they're unable to leave? And apparently the villagers are unable to leave too. Why? Maybe you caught something in your reread that I missed, but what possible reason is there for the villagers to stay when they have literally had to murder all their children and why the vampires hang on the outskirts of town just watching and waiting instead of going where the killing is good.