How ChatGPT Can Help You Choose Your Next Home Abroad
My friend, Tammi, called me the day after the 2024 election and said “we gotta get outta here.” I was practically packing before she finished the sentence. She knew I was the perfect person to ask because I already had dreams of moving abroad. (If you missed that story, you can catch up here.)
But figuring out where to move…that’s a whole adventure in itself. In this post, I’m sharing how I used ChatGPT to narrow down options for affordable, LGBTQ+-friendly cities abroad with temperature weather where Tammi and I could move. Whether you’re also looking for a new place to call home or just curious about how AI can help you find the best destination for a vacation, here’s what you’ll need to know:
Step 1: Define Your Criteria
Before you can ask AI for recommendations, you need to know what matters most to you. For me, the essentials were:
- #1 — Safety: Especially as a queer Black woman traveling solo, I need to feel secure and welcomed
- LGBTQ+ Status: A city where it is both legal and socially acceptable to be queer
- Affordability: A low cost of living so I can get out of survival mode and focus on creative projects and spirituality
- Weather: I want a temperate climate year-round
What’s important to you? Is it the food, access to affordable healthcare, or fast WiFi? Take some time to write down your non-negotiables and “nice-to-haves.” This will be the foundation of your AI queries.
Step 2: Ask the Right Questions (Prompt Format)
Once you’ve outlined your priorities, it’s time to turn them into a clear, structured request for AI. The way you request information—called a prompt—makes all the difference in the quality of the answers you get back.
Think of it like giving directions. Enter a vague prompt like, “Take me somewhere nice,” and who knows where you’ll end up? Instead, the goal is to be specific about what you’re looking for so AI can match you with your ideal city.
Sample Prompt (Fill in Your Own Details!)
Use can this as a prompt template whether you’re considering relocation or just planning a trip:
I am a [number]-year-old [occupation or lifestyle, e.g., retiree, remote worker, digital nomad] with a [country] passport. I want to [relocate permanently / visit as a tourist] and am looking for destinations that match my lifestyle. It’s important to me that the city has the following: [list key criteria, e.g., a strong expat community, safe nightlife, access to nature]. I prefer a climate where [describe ideal weather]. [additional details optional, e.g., I need reliable and fast internet because I work remotely]. My budget is [$XXXX]per month. Please suggest cities that fit my criteria and explain why they are a good match.
(Pro tip: Including your nationality helps AI suggest countries where you can legally visit or move without visa hassles.)
Here’s an example of my own initial prompt:
I am a 58-year-old queer Black female retiree with a U.S. passport. I want to relocate permanentlyfrom Washington, DC to someplace less expensive in the world and am looking for destinations that match my lifestyle. It’s important to me that the city has the following: #1, it must be legal and socially acceptable to be LGBTQ there, and have a low crime rate. I prefer a climate where the winters shouldn’t average less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and summers shouldn’t average more than 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I am comfortable learning a new western language like Spanish, French, or German but not others. My budget is $550per month for rent. Please suggest cities that fit my criteria and explain why they are a good match.
If this sounds like a dating profile… well, in a way, it is! Only you’re looking to get up close and personal with a city that checks all your boxes.
Fine-Tuning Your Criteria
One of my favorite things to do is ask ChatGPT if I’m overlooking anything with a prompt like: Are there other criteria I need to consider? AI’s response helped me think about additional factors like healthcare access, walkability, and local attitudes toward foreigners.
And know that it will never get tired of you asking for more, or get mad, so prompt til your heart’s content. For example, I asked follow-up questions about which cities had vibrant artist communities, why certain cities I liked weren’t on the list, and how recent its data was. The more you ask, the better your results. I kept tweaking my search and ended up with an amazing list of potential new homes!
Step 3: Cross-Check with Hard Data
AI is a great research assistant, but it’s not perfect. AI’s strengths lie in speed, structure, and suggesting options you might overlook. But no matter how impressive AI is, it’s not infallible and it is capable of what they call “hallucinations” — giving false answers or making up “facts” to fill holes in its data. It once recommended a city as “affordable,” only for me to discover that rent prices were sky-high. So don’t finalize your travel plans before doing some real-world research using sources like the ones below:
- Numbeo: For cost-of-living comparisons.
- Friends, Expat forums and Facebook groups: To get firsthand accounts of life in each city.
- Official government websites: For visa requirements and residency options.
- Travels guides: for ideas about activities available in different cities.
Step 4: Get Boots on the Ground
There’s research, and then there’s experience. A city can look perfect on paper, but it might not feel right in person. That’s why visiting before making a final decision is crucial.
If you’re serious about relocating, consider booking a scouting trip to your top contenders. Walk the neighborhoods, try the local food, and talk to expats or locals. The vibe of a place can tell you more than any statistic ever could.
Final Thoughts
AI won’t make the decision for you, but it can speed up the research process and help you discover options you might have overlooked. Whether you’re searching for a new home or just planning your next adventure, it’s an amazing tool to add to your traditional travel planning toolkit. My advice? Listen to the data…and your intuition.
Have you ever used AI to research travel destinations? If so, how did it go? If not, would you give it a try? Drop a comment and let’s chat!
