Uzès, France, October 24, 2025 — When American traveler Julie Neis found herself burned out and unsure where to live next, she turned to artificial intelligence for guidance — and let ChatGPT choose her new home. The result? A new life in Uzès, a picturesque medieval town in southern France’s Occitanie region.
Each morning, Neis strolls from her apartment to Place aux Herbes, the town’s historic main square, for her daily coffee ritual. Surrounded by fountains, arcades, and a twice-weekly market, she says her new life “feels magical.”
“I know it sounds crazy to let AI make a decision about your life,” Neis told CNN Travel. “But it relieved me from the overwhelm I felt — and it turned into an adventure. Honestly, ChatGPT chose well.”
Originally from Michigan and raised in Texas, Neis had studied French as a teenager and spent several years living in Paris in the early 2000s. After returning to the United States to pursue a successful tech career, she faced severe burnout, anxiety, and depression — which pushed her to reconsider her priorities.
Seeking peace and simplicity, Neis returned to France, but found Paris “overstimulating.” Unsure where to settle, she typed her entire life story and preferences into ChatGPT — listing her desire for a slower pace, sunny weather, good markets, and an international community.
The AI suggested two towns: Sarlat-la-Canéda in Dordogne and Uzès. When asked to choose, ChatGPT recommended Uzès, calling it the better fit. Neis agreed: “It just felt right. I thought, ‘Okay, here we go.’”
After securing a Passeport Talent residence permit for skilled professionals, she quit her job, sold her car, and moved from San Francisco to France in March 2025 — arriving with just two suitcases and a duffel bag.
Today, she rents a small apartment with vaulted ceilings and views of Uzès’ medieval tower. She spends her days exploring the town, visiting local markets, and connecting with other expatriates through her YouTube channel.
While she admits loneliness was a concern at first — “I was probably known as the American who was always by herself” — she has since built a circle of international friends and locals.
“Community is important to me,” she says. “And people here don’t define you by your job. That’s refreshing.”
Although she misses some American conveniences — like grocery stores open on Sundays — Neis says life in Uzès offers something priceless: balance.
“It feels like this little town is where I’m meant to be,” she says, smiling. “Whether that’s for now, a few years, or forever.”
