Alley Access Garages & Front Porch Living in St. Cloud, Florida

Whether for vehicles, storage, or both, greater than 80% of homebuyers shopping for a home consider a garage of top importance and a feature that could make or break their homebuying decision. So, it may be a surprise to drive through The Crossings neighborhood of new homes in St. Cloud, FL, and see meandering sidewalks, breezy front porches, and nary a garage in sight – well, not on the street, anyway. Enter the alley-access garage.  

Also called rear-entry, rear-load, or alley-load garages, this architectural revival introduces a novel approach to housing where garages are accessed via a narrow street behind your home known as an alley. This creates a more welcoming front entry with enhanced curb appeal but it’s not just a shift in design, it’s a movement toward fostering a sense of community and embracing a lifestyle that revolves around the front porch.

The Return of Front Porch Living

Call it nostalgia, or the return of past trends. Originally added to homes as a place to take off wet jackets and muddy boots, front porches had their heyday in the early 1900s as a spot to relax, converse with neighbors, and take in the happenings in the community. By the 1950s, radio, television, and the automobile replaced porch-sitting as sources of entertainment. Today, the front porch has regained popularity as people seek a lifestyle where they can unplug from technology, connect with neighbors, and sit outdoors to enjoy greenery and fresh air.

Here in Florida, porches are particularly popular as our warm climate means your porch can be used year-round. At The Crossings, we build single-family homes and detached bungalows with front porches. The interior of your home is your private sanctuary, with the porch providing space to step outdoors, sit in a comfy chair, and enjoy a beverage while taking in the sights and sounds of the community. It’s more than a design choice – it’s a lifestyle that encourages social interaction, a return to the simple pleasures of community, and a celebration of the front porch as the social-center of the home.

And, homes with a rear-load, alley-access garage provide design benefits that enhance front porch living.

Alley-Access Home Designs

You'll notice an immediate difference - no garage and driveway taking up the front of the home, allowing porches to face the sidewalk, and creating a canvas for curb appeal!

A walkway extends from the sidewalk to your front porch, with greenery and garden beds filling the space. Meandering sidewalks are designed for leisurely strolls, and vehicles aren’t blocking the sidewalk – they are parked out back or in parallel parking spots against the curb. And, there aren’t open garages filled with junk ruining the appearance of your street – Instead, inviting front porches and beautifully landscaped yards create a pleasing, pedestrian-friendly landscape.

A hidden garage also enhances the focus on exterior styling. Our townhomes and bungalows with rear-load garages boast Craftsman-style exterior details with trim work accented by curated paint palettes, shutters framing windows, and stone accents adorning porch columns and front aprons. 

Curb appeal is just one of the benefits of alley-access home designs. Additional benefits of alley-load garages include:

• Enhanced privacy and safety. Alley garages move traffic off the main thoroughfares, resulting in streets, sidewalks, and front yards that are quieter and safer for walking, playing, and socializing.
• Low-maintenance living. Homes with alley-access garages are often designed to fit on narrower homesites, and an attached alley garage may limit backyard space. A smaller yard equals less work for you - which is ideal for many homebuyers, because don't we all have enough responsibilities in life? 
• Easy trash and recycling pickup. Everyone places their bins at the foot of their driveway in the alley. This allows sanitation crews to quickly pickup from both sides of the alley at once and reduces truck traffic out front of your home.
• Social connection. Alley-load garages are more than a design choice. Whether chatting with neighbors as you pull in the driveway after work or gathering for drinks on the porch or in your front yard, they pave the way for a lifestyle that seamlessly blends aesthetics with social harmony, creating a desirable lifestyle.

Lifestyle at The Crossings in St. Cloud, Florida

St. Cloud is an Orlando suburb known to offer a small-town feel, and The Crossings is designed as a friendly hometown community. The community developers integrated green spaces and amenities to encourage people to spend time outdoors and connect with neighbors. Combined with the beautiful alley-access bungalows and townhomes Highland Homes developed to suit this community, The Crossings is a truly special place to live.

Amenities in the neighborhood create a park-like setting, provide recreation, and enhance opportunities for social connections:

• A swimming pool with a splash pad, water slide, and a large pool deck where you can enjoy chatting with friends and neighbors;
• A clubhouse which can be rented for your private events;
• A shade-covered playground;
• Common areas that invite gathering;
• A walking trail meandering around a pond and connecting with sidewalks in the community.

And, the location is convenient to daily necessities, employment opportunities, and big city amenities and attractions. Situated off Jones Road near Narcoossee Road, The Crossings is just minutes from shopping and dining, parks and recreation including East Lake Toho, and major roadways placing you only a short drive from the Lake Nona area, the Orlando International Airport, Downtown Orlando, and Orlando theme parks and attractions.

Three unique home products are available to suit your needs:

• Low-maintenance townhomes with an alley-access 2-car garage, priced from the low to mid $300’s;
• Detached bungalows with front porches and an alley-access 2-car garage, priced from the high $300’s to $400’s;
• Single-family homes with front porches and a traditional front-load 2-car garage, with expected availability in early 2025.

We invite you to come and see this unique community for yourself – Call or email our St. Cloud New Home Specialists to schedule an appointment, or stop by our model center during office hours, located at 5850 Piney Shrub Place in St. Cloud.