Townhomes vs. Villas: Which Low-Maintenance Home Is Right for You?

If you are looking for an easy, low-maintenance home in the Des Moines area, both townhomes and villas can be strong options. The right choice usually depends on how much space you want, how important single-level living is, how close you want to be to downtown, and what kind of outdoor space fits your lifestyle.

For many buyers, the appeal of both home types is similar: less exterior upkeep, more time to enjoy daily life, and a home designed around convenience. The difference is in how each style delivers that experience.

At Hubbell Homes, both townhomes and villas are part of a broader Personalized Experience, where buyers can compare layout, location, privacy, and maintenance expectations to find the best fit.

What is the difference between a townhome and a villa?

A townhome is typically a multi-level home that shares at least one wall with another home, while a villa is usually a detached, single-level home with more space around it. Both can support low-maintenance living, but they do so in different ways.

Townhomes often appeal to buyers who want urban access and more vertical living space. Villas often appeal to buyers who want one-floor living and more separation from neighbors.

Are townhomes low maintenance?

Yes. Townhomes are often considered low maintenance because the homeowners association may handle parts of the exterior upkeep such as front landscaping, tree trimming, and snow removal. That can reduce the amount of routine outdoor work the homeowner needs to manage personally.

Benefits of townhome living

1. Less exterior maintenance

One of the biggest advantages of a townhome is that there is often less exterior structure to maintain, especially when shared walls reduce the amount of exposed exterior surface. In many townhome communities, the HOA also helps with front landscaping and snow removal.

For buyers who want more free time and fewer weekend chores, that can be a meaningful advantage.

2. Close access to downtown and city amenities

Townhomes can be especially appealing for buyers who want to live closer to downtown restaurants, retail, businesses, and entertainment. In communities such as The Banks and Gray’s Station, townhome living can also mean easier access to walkable neighborhoods and urban conveniences in Downtown Des Moines.

That makes townhomes a strong option for buyers who value location and connection to the city.

3. More interior square footage on a smaller footprint

Because townhomes build vertically, they can offer substantial interior living space while using smaller lots. Multi-level layouts often include garages, living areas, bedrooms, and bonus rooms organized across several floors.

This can be a good fit for buyers who want more room without needing a larger detached home site.

What is villa living like?

Villa living is often associated with a more carefree, low-maintenance lifestyle in a detached home format. Buyers who prefer more space around the home, one-floor living, and easier movement throughout the layout often find villas especially appealing.

Benefits of villa living

1. More space between neighbors

Because villas are typically detached, they offer more physical separation between homes than townhomes do. This can create a greater sense of privacy and more usable green space around the front and back of the home.

For buyers who want lower maintenance without shared walls, this may be one of the biggest advantages of a villa.

2. Single-level living

Villas are usually designed on one level, which can make movement through the home easier and more comfortable over time. Buyers often consider this layout when thinking about convenience, accessibility, and long-term livability.

For many households, the absence of stairs is not just a preference. It is a practical lifestyle priority.

3. Private outdoor space

Villa living often includes access to more private outdoor areas such as patios, decks, sunrooms, or landscaped yard space. This can be ideal for buyers who want a quiet place to relax or entertain without taking on the maintenance level of a larger traditional yard.

4. More green space and community amenities

Villa communities are often located in suburban or less dense settings with access to parks, trails, golf courses, pools, clubhouses, prairies, and other outdoor amenities. For buyers who value open space and recreation close to home, this can be a major part of the appeal.

Which is better: a townhome or a villa?

Neither is automatically better. A townhome may be the stronger fit if you want urban access, lower-maintenance exterior living, and more interior square footage in a connected setting. A villa may be the stronger fit if you want detached, single-level living with more green space and privacy.

The better choice depends on what kind of daily experience matters most to you.

Who should choose a townhome?

Townhomes often suit buyers who want to stay close to city amenities, prefer a multi-level layout, and want a low-maintenance lifestyle with strong access to walkable neighborhoods.

Who should choose a villa?

Villas often suit buyers who want single-level living, more space between homes, private outdoor areas, and a lower-maintenance lifestyle in a more suburban or green-space-oriented setting.

The bottom line on townhomes vs. villas

Both townhomes and villas make it easier to enjoy a lower-maintenance lifestyle, but they support different priorities. Townhomes often fit buyers who want urban convenience and more vertical living space. Villas often fit buyers who want detached, single-level comfort with more room around the home.

If you are comparing low-maintenance homes in the Des Moines area, looking at both styles can help clarify what fits your next chapter best.