Anxious family asked ChatGPT where they could escape Trump – now they live in Devon

Ashley O’Brien with her family are planning the move across the pond
(Picture: Ashley O’Brien / SWNS)

A family concerned about the direction the United States is going under Donald Trump desperately asked ChatGPT where they could escape his clutches.

Ashley Anne O’Brien said she was ‘anxious all the time’ after ICE shootings, the shocking revelations of the Epstein files and nuclear threats to Iran and now wants a ‘boring’ life where her biggest worries are potholes and bin collections.

The Florida family asked the AI to narrow down their options after deciding to move across the pond with ChatGPT spitting out ten suggestions including Sidmouth, Exmouth and Torquay.

The family fell in love with the coastal town of Torquay and sites like Kents Cavern, Babbacombe Model Village and The Babbacombe Cliff Railway.

They are now hoping to move in by end of July and plan to open a B&B in the Devon town.

Ashley, a contract manager, said: ‘By using ChatGPT it assisted with narrowing down the scope as opposed of just sitting on Wikipedia and reading about town after town.

Torquay in Devon, known as the English Riviera (Picture: SWNS)

‘Torquay is a larger town compared to Sidmouth and Exmouth and they seem to have more amenities due to having more people. When I spoke to my husband about it he had very good memories of visiting Torquay so that made us hone in on.

‘The dream is to find a bed and breakfast there where someone is retiring.’

She is also hoping her children Daisy, 13, and Mitchell, 15, get more connected with their dad’s family history after he moved to the US from Walsall, Staffordshire.

ChatGPT saidTorquay was the best to place to live in Britain.(Picture: Ashley O’Brien / SWNS)

Ashley said: ‘Everything that happened in the past year, from DOGE cuts to government services and research, to making Canada and Greenland states, to insulting Zelensky based on his clothes, to ICE detention centres and the shootings of Good and Pretti.

‘Also to knocking down the East Wing of the White House to build a ballroom, to The Epstein Files, to bombing boats in the Caribbean, to taking the President of Venezuela and his wife, and now the war in Iran – it is too much. An inundation of events and decisions that overwhelm and stress everyone out.

‘I just want to breathe, I want my children to worry about gossip, bad haircuts and sports, not regular active shooter drills in school. I want things to feel normal.

Torquay is expected to transform over the next decade (Picture: Getty Images)

‘I want to worry about rights of way and litter and children speeding on e-bikes and how long it takes for local permits, things that might be considered boring but that’s I wish for my family. I want life for my children – and all of us – to be hopeful and beautiful and that’s another reason why we are moving to England.’

She added: ‘It feels like an adventure but also feels like a new part of our life is going to start and that’s really amazing. I joined groups on Facebook so I can hear more about the local community and understand what are the things they are annoyed with and what kind of festivals they are having. That’s so now I can just see what their lives are like.’

While the combination of Torquay and neighbouring towns Paignton and Brixham make up the stunning ‘English Riviera’, Torquay is often thought of as the district’s Queen.

The idyllic landscape is home to 52,000 residents but regularly sees upwards of 4 million visitors annually.

Torbay Council is currently in the midst of revamping several different areas in Torquay’s Harbourside – as part of a broader plan to totally regenerate the town over the next decade.

Things to do in Torquay

If you have this oasis on your bucket list, here are some things to keep in mind when planning your visit.

The 22-mile stretch of English Riviera boasts 20 beaches but for sandy beaches rather than stone you’ll want to visit Torre Abbey Sands which is easily accessible and great for swimming but you can’t take your dogs.

Hollicombe beach may be slightly difficult to access if you’re disabled and dogs are also banned, while Corbyn Head is a sand and shingle beach with sunbed hire and good swimming spots.

Visit this paradise for the mild temperature and outdoor activities (Picture: Getty Images)

If you’re a fan of watersports there are plenty of activities available like water-skiing, diving, kayaking and windsurfing.

For experienced swimmers there is the Meadfoot to Brixham swim challenge which is four miles across the bay. 

For evening entertainment the Babbacombe theatre or Princess Theatre show West End productions or, if you fancy a challenge, the HQ Escape Rooms are great for some family team-building.

If you prefer to shop during your holiday then the family-friendly shopping centre Trago Mills works or you could wander Torquay Harbour which is home to plenty of shops and places to eat.

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