Low-maintenance living is a common request we hear from Lancaster County homebuyers. Less yard work, fewer weekend projects, and more time to actually enjoy where you live.
If you search online for low-maintenance homes, you’ll likely see carriage homes and townhomes pop up. But the listings usually don’t explain what makes each unique.
There are definite differences between these two types of homes – including your level of privacy, parking, outdoor space, and how the home feels to live in.
Here’s a closer look at how carriage homes and townhomes compare, along with a first look at the new carriage homes coming to Legacy Crossing in Manor Township.
What Is a Carriage Home?
A carriage home is a single-family-style home that shares one wall with a neighboring home and sits on a smaller homesite.
The name traces back to the carriage houses that once sat behind larger properties. Today it describes a style of home built around ease – a smaller lot with full-size living inside.
Carriage homes typically include:
- An attached garage – either front-load or rear-load – and a private driveway
- One shared wall – and in many plans, that wall separates garages rather than living spaces
- Single-story layouts, or two-story plans with a main-floor owner’s suite
- Private outdoor space, usually a covered patio or porch
- Lawn care, mulching, and snow removal handled by the community association
- Rooflines, porches, and front elevations designed to look like an individual home
What Is a Townhome?
A townhome is a multi-story home built in a row of three or more attached units, sharing walls on one or both sides.
Townhomes are generally:
- Two or three stories, with living space stacked vertically
- Attached on both sides for interior units, and one side for end units
- Built on compact footprints with a small rear patio or deck
- Served by a smaller rear-load garage, an assigned space, or shared parking
- Priced at the entry point of the new construction market
- Usually located close to retail, restaurants, and places you can walk to
For a first-time homebuyer or anyone looking to buy a brand-new home at the lowest entry price, townhomes can be a smart choice. Stairs come with the territory, and so do neighbors on both sides. The trade-off is a lower price and a low-maintenance way of life.
If a townhome is the right fit, EGStoltzfus has a few new townhomes remaining in the closeout phase of Lime Spring Village in East Hempfield Township.
Carriage Home vs. Townhome: A Side-by-Side Look
Both are low-maintenance and have energy-efficient new construction features that can save you thousands over the long-term when compared to resale homes.
After that, carriages and townhomes start to look very different:
Privacy
- Carriage home: One shared wall, often arranged garage-to-garage so living spaces stay buffered.
- Townhome: Interior units share walls on both sides, with neighbors on either end of the home.
Parking and garage
- Carriage home: An attached garage plus a private driveway, in front-load or rear-load configurations.
- Townhome: Garages are smaller, and parking is frequently shared, assigned, or tucked behind the building.
Outdoor space
- Carriage home: A private covered patio, with sunroom and screened-in patio options available on some plans.
- Townhome: A compact deck or patio with sightlines shared across adjacent units.
Layout
- Carriage home: Single-story living, or a two-story plan with the owner’s suite on the main floor. Stairs are optional.
- Townhome: Vertical by design with one or more flights of stairs – with bedrooms upstairs, the living space in the middle, and the entry or garage below.
Architectural feel
- Carriage home: Varied rooflines, porches, and elevations that look like individual homes.
- Townhome: A continuous row with a more uniform streetscape.
Community design
- Carriage home: More space between homes, with green space and separation between buildings.
- Townhome: Higher density, usually clustered near retail or the main community entrance.
Maintenance
- Carriage home and townhome: Lawn care and snow removal are typically covered in both.
Simply put – a townhome trades space and privacy for price. A carriage home trades a modest amount of price for space, privacy, and the option to live on one level.
Front-Load vs. Rear-Load: What’s the Difference?
Once buyers narrow in on a carriage home, the next question is usually about the garage.
Front-load carriage homes place the garage and driveway at the front of the home. You get extra off-street parking for guests, a short walk from the car to the kitchen, and an easy-to-navigate streetscape.
Rear-load carriage homes move the garage to the back of the home, accessed from a rear lane. The front of the home becomes a porch and a facade instead of a driveway, which creates a more pedestrian-friendly street and makes the design of the home the first thing you see.
One isn’t better than the other, they just live differently. And homebuyers tend to know which one they want the moment they see both.
Legacy Crossing will offer both front-load and rear-load carriage homes – the choice is yours.
Who Is a Carriage Home Right For?
Carriage homes attract a wider range of buyers than most people expect:
- Simplifying from a larger home. One-level living, a shorter to-do list, and no loss in the quality of the space itself.
- Stepping up from an apartment or a first townhome. A private garage, a private patio, and no shared entry or stairwell.
- Anyone who wants one-level living. Single-story plans and main-floor owner’s suites keep the whole home accessible without stairs.
- Buyers who want green space at the door. Homes are spaced farther apart, leaving room to walk, sit outside, and see something other than the next roofline.
Why Legacy Crossing Carriage Homes Stand Apart
Legacy Crossing is a new EGStoltzfus community taking shape in Manor Township, just minutes from Millersville and downtown Lancaster.
Four carriage home plans are offered in the community, in front-load and rear-load designs.
Every carriage home at Legacy Crossing will include:
- An owner’s suite on the main floor
- An open, connected kitchen and family room area
- A private mudroom area with a dedicated laundry room
- A covered patio for outdoor living, with the option for a sunroom or screened-in patio space
- The option to add a finished basement
Beyond the floor plans, a few things set this community apart:
- A community built around open space. Once fully developed, Legacy Crossing will include 28+ acres of open space, a central community green, a pavilion, and walking trails through the neighborhood.
- A location that’s dialed in. Country Barn Farm Market is practically in the backyard. Stauffers of Kissel Hill, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Turning Point Cafe, and Jack’s Family Tavern are minutes away, with Route 30 and Route 222 close for everything else.
- A home you help design. EGStoltzfus buyers work through our Design Studio to select finishes, fixtures, and options – so the home truly reflects your personal taste, not a standard package.
- A builder with roots here. EGStoltzfus has been building in Lancaster County for over 55 years. We work here, and live here!
Be the First Through the Door
Legacy Crossing’s carriage homes are coming soon to Manor Township, and interest is already building.
Join the Early Interest List to be among the first to hear about floor plans, pricing, homesite availability, and first appointment opportunities.