Texas couple to move to Wrexham after watching Ryan Reynolds series

Texas couple to move to Wrexham after watching Ryan Reynolds series

A couple from Texas has decided to make Wrexham their permanent home after being inspired by the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary series. Jeff and Janice Ivey, originally from New Braunfels, found themselves captivated by the show, which chronicles the involvement of Hollywood figures Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney with the local football club. Their growing affection for the city has developed over seven visits in the past two and a half years, leading to a deep appreciation for Wrexham’s community and heritage.

Jeff, who holds UK citizenship due to his Scottish lineage, is actively looking for a house in Wrexham. Meanwhile, Janice is currently in the United States, preparing to sell their home and complete visa arrangements. Their initial interest in the city was sparked in 2024 after watching a show episode that featured the Wrexham band the Declan Swans. Jeff ordered merchandise from the band, but when the package arrived missing one item, continued correspondence with the band’s singer, Michael Hett, led to an invitation to visit the city. Jeff reflected on this unexpected turn of events: “If the order had come just fine, I would have sent an email saying, ‘hey, thanks, got it,’ and that probably would have been it. Because we had to keep emailing after that, it really piqued our interest.”

When they finally traveled to Wrexham, Jeff and Janice were immediately taken by the warmth and friendliness of the community. Jeff emphasized the welcoming nature of the people, appreciating their genuine kindness and lack of snobbery. Both Jeff and Janice saw parallels between Wrexham and their own backgrounds; Janice grew up in a mining town in Pennsylvania, and Jeff hailed from Pittsburgh, a city known for its industrial roots in mining, steel, and manufacturing. “It’s a working-class town with a rich legacy in history,” Jeff said. “The people and the history definitely remind us of places that we grew up.”

Having recently retired from a career in finance, Jeff and Janice were already considering relocating from Texas. Their visits to Wrexham grew longer, culminating in a month-long stay in April to carefully evaluate the feasibility of the move. Jeff explained that after weighing the advantages and disadvantages, the positives far outweighed any concerns. Despite some friends thinking the decision was unusual, their three adult children have shown support and enthusiasm, looking forward to visiting their parents once they settle into their new home

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More