“Top of ChatGPT List”: American Woman Breaks Down How ChatGPT Helped Her Choose SA As New Home
- American military veteran Courtney Jade packed up her family and moved to Cape Town, South Africa, two and a half years ago
- She used ChatGPT to build a checklist of everything her ideal country needed before making the move with her family
- South Africans online welcomed her warmly and urged her to pursue permanent residency
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Source: TikTok
An American woman who sold everything on Facebook Marketplace and bought one-way tickets to South Africa has gone viral after revealing the surprisingly simple method she used to choose her new home country.
Courtney Jade posted the TikTok video on 17 August 2026, explaining how she and her husband relocated to Cape Town with their two children and two dogs roughly two and a half years ago.
From the military to Cape Town
Courtney's story starts well before South Africa entered the picture. She joined the military at 18 after leaving home and spent years moving between Hawaii, Texas and Las Vegas. That nomadic lifestyle, she said, meant she never felt tied to any one place.
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When political concerns about the United States started weighing on her in 2023, she began seriously considering life elsewhere. Rather than spend months researching, she turned to ChatGPT and typed in everything she needed from a country: the right climate, welcoming people and a language she could actually communicate in. South Africa was one of the top results.
From there, the move came together quickly. She sold her belongings, booked the tickets and landed in Cape Town with no fixed address. For four months, the family lived in Airbnbs across different suburbs, from Kommetjie and Muizenberg to Sea Point, Milnerton and Blouberg, before settling on the area that suited them best. She homeschooled her children throughout.
"It Was a No-Brainer"
Courtney was candid that the decision felt straightforward for her, even if it sounds drastic to outsiders. For people hesitant about leaving, she had a gentle take: maybe they are exactly where they are supposed to be. But for those who feel the pull to go, she said, they will know it when they feel it.
Watch the TikTok video below:
Mzansi welcomes Courtney and her family
South Africans in the comments were quick to show their warmth on her page:
@Keamo said:
"We love Kourtney and her fam this side of SA. Acquire a permanent citizenship and live your dream life."
@saffafrikan wrote:
"Was South Africa top of the ChatGPT recommendation list? That's interesting. I'm very glad to hear that you're enjoying your life here and that you're happy. South Africa is a nice place."
@Phakathwayo admitted:
"Relocation gives me anxiety, let alone to another country."
@BLACK SUGAR said:
"You found peace my sister."
@JOHANNES TSEKE added:
"Welcome home and we love you and your family. Wishing you all the best."
@Certified Coach noted:
"You made a calculated move. If you are from outside SA, the money is multiplied by the exchange rate. No wonder you afford the standard of living in those affluent places you mentioned."
More Briefly News stories on relocation
- An Afrikaner woman living in the US under a refugee programme shared her appreciation for landing a job at Walmart, documenting her first day and reflecting on her new life abroad.
- A South African woman’s TikTok comparing Shoprite prices in Malawi and Mzansi sparked reactions, with many viewers shocked by how expensive groceries can be in South Africa.
- A South African woman gave Mzansi a glimpse into her life in Nigeria, showcasing her experiences and sparking interest among social media users.
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Source: Briefly News
