Bayville's housing reflects its evolution from a bayside settlement into a full-service suburban community. The stock is dominated by mid-to-late-twentieth-century single-family homes—ranch and split-level styles are common—set on modest lots, along with newer construction and a scattering of waterfront and lagoon-front properties oriented toward boat access. Berkeley Township as a whole includes a substantial share of age-restricted adult communities, and Bayville serves as their commercial hub. Because the area combines relatively approachable Jersey Shore housing with proximity to the bay and beaches, it attracts a broad mix of buyers, from first-time owners to retirees trading down without leaving the shore region.

Bayville functions as the population and commercial center of Berkeley Township rather than a single discrete subdivision. Its residential streets spread along the township's Route 9 corridor, with older neighborhoods near the bay and newer developments inland toward the Pinelands. Lagoon-front streets provide direct water access for boat owners, while the areas around Berkeley Township's schools form family-oriented pockets. Nearby unincorporated sections of the township—including Pinewald, Silver Ridge Park, and Holiday City—are closely tied to Bayville's shopping, dining, and services, making the community the natural gathering point for the wider township.

Life in Bayville is shaped by its position between the Pinelands and Barnegat Bay, in the heart of the central Jersey Shore. It is a mature, low-key community that mixes long-time families with retirees drawn to Berkeley Township's established residential neighborhoods. Boating, fishing, and crabbing are everyday pastimes for many households, and the commercial stretch along Route 9 serves as the township's main shopping corridor. The barrier-island beaches at Seaside Heights and Island Beach State Park are a short drive east, while Toms River and its regional services sit just to the south, giving Bayville a convenient balance of shore access and suburban practicality.

Bayville's public schools are split between two districts, a common arrangement in the region. Students begin in the Berkeley Township School District, which operates four elementary schools serving preschool through sixth grade, with campuses in and around Bayville. They then move to the Central Regional School District for grades seven through twelve; Central Regional's middle and high school are located in Bayville and also serve neighboring shore towns such as Island Heights, Ocean Gate, Seaside Heights, and Seaside Park. This structure keeps elementary students close to home while concentrating secondary students in a regional campus at the community's center.

Bayville is served by Route 9, which runs through the community as its main commercial and commuter corridor, connecting north toward Toms River and south toward the Barnegat peninsula. The Garden State Parkway lies a short drive to the west, providing the primary route to points north and south along the shore and toward the New York and Philadelphia metro areas. There is no rail station in Bayville itself; commuters generally drive to the Parkway or to nearby employment centers. Within the community, travel is straightforward along Route 9 and the township's local road network.

Barnegat Bay anchors recreation in Bayville, offering boating, kayaking, fishing, and crabbing through the township's marinas and public access points. Double Trouble State Park, just outside the community, protects a historic Pinelands village and cranberry-bog landscape with trails, paddling on Cedar Creek, and a glimpse of the region's agricultural past. Berkeley Island County Park and Cattus Island County Park add bayfront nature trails, picnic areas, and shoreline. A short drive east brings residents to the ocean beaches of Seaside Heights and the undeveloped barrier island of Island Beach State Park, extending the recreational range from the bay to the Atlantic.