Jennifer Crompton, 40, originally from Manhattan, has fallen in love with Manchester after relocating to the UK for her husband. Despite never imagining she'd live in Wythenshawe, she and her husband Ian have spent over six years renovating their 1930s semi-detached home.
From Manhattan to Wythenshawe
Jenn met Ian while he was on holiday in New York, and after a long-distance relationship, she moved to Manchester in 2017. The couple rented in the city centre before buying their first home together in December 2019. "The last place I thought I'd end up was Manchester, let alone Wythenshawe," Jenn told the Manchester Evening News.
Finding their quirky home
The couple initially looked in Sale and Chorlton but found properties too small or expensive. Ian, who grew up in Wythenshawe, suggested considering the area, predicting future development. They found a three-bedroom 1930s house on Rightmove that had a "wow factor" and felt homely, despite its dated decor. They moved in December 2019.
DIY renovation journey
As first-time buyers, they planned to hire painters, but the Covid lockdown led them to do the DIY themselves. Jenn discovered a passion for interior design, creating a style they call "Dark Deco"—moody, elegant, and homey. They renovated the master bedroom with a deep green color-drenching technique, added a New York subway-inspired kitchen with classic tiling and brushed brass hardware, and transformed the bathroom into a hotel-like sanctuary with charcoal-black walls.
Considering selling but staying
Last year, with their mortgage doubling due to inflation, they considered selling. However, after viewing other properties, they decided to stay. "They just didn't have the same feeling that we get with this one," Jenn said. They continue to invest in the home, keeping both future buyers and their own happiness in mind.
