Most 55+ communities offer one primary home style. Traditions at Washington Crossing gives you a genuine choice.
This gated active adult community in Upper Makefield Township includes 147 single-family homes and 152 carriage-style townhomes: 299 homes in total. Both home styles share the same gates, clubhouse, amenities, preserved open space, and Washington Crossing location.
The real question is not whether Traditions offers an active 55+ lifestyle. It does. The question is:
Which home style fits the way you want to live?
Traditions at Washington Crossing: One Community, Two Home Styles
Traditions was built by Pulte between approximately 2003 and 2010. It sits in the Washington Crossing/Yardley area of Bucks County, close to the Delaware River, Washington Crossing Historic Park, Yardley, Newtown, and New Hope.
The community is accessible from:
- Wrightstown Road onto McConkey Drive
- Route 532, also known as Washington Crossing Road, onto Bartons Mill Drive
It is part of the Council Rock School District, although most buyers are choosing Traditions for the location, lifestyle, amenities, and low-maintenance options.
Whether you choose a townhome or a detached home, you get the same community experience.
The Shared Traditions Lifestyle
The biggest advantage of comparing these two home styles is that you do not have to give up the Traditions lifestyle when choosing one over the other.
All residents have access to community amenities that include:
- Gated entrance
- Clubhouse
- Indoor pool with 24-hour access
- Outdoor pool
- Fitness facility
- Locker rooms with showers
- Meeting room
- Lounge
- Ballroom
- Kitchen
- Library
- Arts and crafts studio
- Tennis courts
- Bocce court
- Putting green
- Walking trails
- Preserved open space throughout the community
That shared amenity package is one reason Traditions remains a popular choice among buyers searching for 55 plus communities in Bucks County PA.
You can choose a smaller carriage home and still enjoy the indoor pool, fitness center, ballroom, and outdoor recreation. Or you can choose a larger single-family home and participate in the same clubs, activities, and neighborhood events.
Option One: Carriage-Style Townhomes
Traditions has 152 carriage-style townhomes. These are attached homes arranged in smaller clusters, offering a balance between private-home living and lower exterior maintenance.
Townhome models include:
- Claremont: Approximately 1,743 square feet
- Rosemont: Approximately 1,845 square feet
- Larchmont: Approximately 1,887 square feet
- Prescott: Approximately 2,140 square feet
- Davenport: Approximately 2,350 square feet
Most models feature:
- First-floor primary suites
- Open kitchen, dining, and living areas
- Main-level living
- Two-car garages, depending on the model and specific unit
- Additional bedrooms, lofts, studies, or flex space in some layouts
- Attached-home convenience
The townhome models provide a broad range of sizes. The Claremont may work well for someone who wants a more manageable footprint. The Prescott and Davenport offer more room for guests, hobbies, an office, or storage.
Why buyers choose the carriage homes
The main appeal is simple: less exterior maintenance to manage yourself.
The HOA typically covers items such as:
- Exterior maintenance
- Landscaping
- Snow removal from common areas and driveways
- Common-area upkeep
- Trash removal
- Clubhouse and amenity access
- Pool maintenance
That can mean less time worrying about mowing, landscaping, exterior painting, or other routine responsibilities. However, the exact scope of coverage can vary. Before buying, review the current declaration, HOA documents, and fee schedule.
A carriage home may be a strong fit if you want to spend more time traveling, visiting family, swimming, walking, or enjoying the clubhouse: and less time maintaining the exterior of your property.
Option Two: Single-Family Homes
The community’s 147 single-family homes offer a more traditional detached-home experience.
Single-family models include:
- Kennett: Approximately 1,743 square feet
- Newhall: Approximately 1,960 square feet
- Laurel: Approximately 2,470 square feet
- Mayfield: Approximately 2,647 square feet
Some real estate sources describe certain homes as reaching approximately 2,800 square feet, depending on finished areas, additions, or specific configurations. Always verify the square footage of the individual home you are considering.
Single-family homes typically offer:
- No shared walls
- First-floor primary suites
- Open-concept living areas
- Two-car garages
- Private yards or outdoor spaces
- More separation from neighboring homes
- Additional room for guests, offices, hobbies, or storage
Why buyers choose the single-family homes
Some buyers are not ready to give up the feeling of owning a traditional house. They want:
- More privacy
- A private yard or patio
- No shared walls
- Greater separation between homes
- More flexibility for outdoor furniture, gardening, or entertaining
- A larger footprint for visiting children and grandchildren
A detached home can feel more familiar to buyers who have owned single-family homes for decades. It may also provide more space for someone who is downsizing: but not downsizing too aggressively.
The tradeoff is that a single-family home may involve more exterior considerations. The HOA handles many community and exterior responsibilities, but the details can differ from the townhome structure. Ask specifically about landscaping, exterior repairs, roof responsibilities, snow removal, and rules for changes to patios, doors, landscaping, or other exterior features.
Townhome or Single-Family? Start With These Questions
There is no universally better choice. The right answer depends on your priorities.
Choose a carriage-style townhome if:
- You want minimal exterior maintenance
- You prefer an attached-home lifestyle
- You want to spend more time traveling or enjoying amenities
- You do not need a large private yard
- You want a smaller or more efficient footprint
- You like the idea of snow removal and landscaping being handled through the HOA
- You want first-floor living without managing a detached property
Choose a single-family home if:
- You want zero shared walls
- Privacy is important to you
- You want a private yard or more outdoor separation
- You regularly host family and friends
- You need more room for hobbies, guests, or an office
- You prefer the feel of a traditional detached house
- You are comfortable with more responsibility for the property
Five Practical Decision Questions
Before you focus on a particular model, ask yourself:
1. Do you want to stop thinking about exterior maintenance?
If your answer is an enthusiastic YES, start with the carriage homes. They are designed for attached-home convenience and lower-maintenance living.
2. How important is a private yard?
If you picture gardening, sitting privately outside, or having more separation from neighbors, a single-family home may be the better fit.
3. How much extra square footage will you really use?
Do not automatically choose the largest home. Consider your actual lifestyle.
Ask:
- Will guests visit often?
- Do you need a dedicated office?
- Do you have a hobby that requires space?
- Are you storing furniture from your previous home?
- Would extra rooms create more cleaning and upkeep?
4. What is your realistic maintenance tolerance?
Be honest. Some buyers enjoy caring for a home. Others want to lock the door and leave for Florida, New Jersey, or a European trip without worrying about the property.
Both home styles offer HOA support, but the ownership experience is not identical.
5. Are you comfortable with HOA rules?
Both townhomes and single-family homes are subject to community rules. Ask about:
- Exterior paint and doors
- Landscaping changes
- Fences and patio improvements
- Roof and siding responsibilities
- Parking
- Pets
- Rentals
- Community fees and annual increases
HOA fees vary between townhomes and single-family homes and may change annually. We strongly recommend reviewing current fees and governing documents before making an offer.
The Buying Reality: Traditions Is Resale-Only
Traditions at Washington Crossing is an established, resale-only community. There is no ongoing new-construction release to wait for.
That matters because inventory can be limited. Buyers often include:
- Local Bucks County downsizers
- Homeowners moving from larger properties
- Buyers from New Jersey crossing the bridge
- People seeking gated active adult living
- Buyers who want access to Yardley, Newtown, New Hope, and the Delaware River
Well-maintained homes may not sit long when they are priced correctly. If Traditions is on your shortlist, it helps to be prepared with:
- Mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds
- A clear idea of your preferred home type
- A realistic price range
- A plan for selling your current home
- Flexibility on model, updates, and location within the community
We wish we had more inventory in every model. When the right home becomes available, buyers need to be ready.
Why Work With a Realtor Who Knows Both Sides?
Comparing Traditions homes is about more than square footage. The floor plan, updates, location within the community, outdoor space, garage setup, and HOA obligations can all affect the decision.
The Swain Team can help you compare:
- Current carriage-home listings
- Available single-family homes
- Recent sales by model
- Townhome and single-family HOA fees
- Finished and unfinished space
- Exterior maintenance responsibilities
- Resale considerations
- Similar Bucks County 55 plus communities
You can also review our Traditions at Washington Crossing community guide and browse our guide to 55+ communities in Bucks County.
Ready to Compare Traditions Homes?
Traditions at Washington Crossing gives you something rare: two distinct homeownership experiences in one established 55+ community.
Choose the carriage home if your priority is convenience and less exterior upkeep. Choose the single-family home if your priority is privacy, space, and a traditional detached-home feel.
We are more than willing to help you compare both options without pressure.
Call or text Christina Swain at (215) 757-7257 or email Info@BucksCountyBoomers.com.
We can provide current listings, recent sales, HOA fee information, and a private tour of Traditions at Washington Crossing. Availability changes quickly, so contact us today if you are considering this special Upper Makefield community.